Friday the switch flipped with boats at the southern end of the reef reporting some good fishing again.  Capt. Tim Richardson’s US guests on board Tradition had already had a good start to the trip on the day before on a day out with Capt. Daniel McCarthy on Moana while Tim completed some maintenance, with Rebecca fighting and releasing a big one after 5 hours in the tough conditions. Yesterday they followed up again with another two that Tim put at 900 and 600 for brother Kenny and dad John respectively.

Likewise Capt. Brett Goetze’s Amokura went 2 from 3 catching a real nice one he put at 900++ (above) as well a small one. Brett said the one we pulled the hooks on was also a nice fish. Photo at top is another from Brett’s trip the previous week as well as footage from earlier in the season with German angler Stephan Kreupl who has been fishing the reef for several years now striving to be the first angler with a grander Pacific blue, Atlantic blue and Pacific black.  Although it wasn’t to be on this trip with the biggest at 850lbs, he certainly enjoyed some more great fishing with 13 in the 12 days!

[It really interests me that noone has accounted for this feat before? I remember Oskie Rice (McGrew’s son) was the first crewman to leader all three adding the black marlin as his final species fishing with Luke in 2004.  But its really interesting to hear this has not been achieved on the angling side as yet?!]

Capt. Adam Jordan’s Iona II finished his season off on a high yesterday with Noel Dowde (below) onboard going 4 from 7  upto 550lb. They also lost a big one late in the afternoon. Great way to end the season!

Capt. Craig “Sparra” Denham on Hot Shot also added a nice fish to their season tally yesterday that he put at 800lb.s

A few more good reports from the Bank to come as boats finish up their trips today.

On the Ribbons much quieter with just the one apeice for ourselves on KEKOA and Pelagic Inc. and Marlin Mag roving editor Dave Ferrell who are with Capt. Haydon Bell on Kanahoee.

30th Annual Groote Is Billfish Tournament

The 30th annual Groote Island Billfish Tournament is underway in the NT with Jason Lergessner telling me that the comp that runs for 10 days, with teams nominating 3 fishing days within that time period. This year they have 39 teams entered and 120+ anglers. Only two boats fished yesterday but managed to raise 10, hook 7 and tag 5 being 2 sailfish and 3 marlin. One of the marlin was estimated at about 300lb which is a big fish for the area.

They expect the weekend will see a lot more of the competing fleet on the water. You can follow the results on the electronic scoreboard here.