The Jervis Bay GFC Okuma Whitesands Tournament was run and won last weekend.
Prior to competition the marquee behind the Huskisson Pub overflowed with participants – particularly late entrants – as the weather looked much better than prior forecasts. As a result, forty eight competing boats ventured out in comfortable conditions on Friday November 26. Dolphinfish, yellowfin tuna, albacore and striped tuna were all commonly reported back to Dave Fenech at the radio base, who did a splendid job marshalling teams during the event. Cliff Lipscombe achieved the highlight of day one by tagging his first ever striped marlin.
Saturday turned out to be a total “glass out”, with all boats venturing to the wide grounds once more. Much of the same fishing was reported. After lunch a nasty nor’easter started to howl and sent boats packing a little early. In the wash up, news filtered through of a healthy “70 kilo plus” big eye tuna being on the way back to the weigh station. The fish later pulled the scales down to a whopping 78.4kg for junior angler Josh Hay from Batemans Bay GFC boat Impulsive – an absolutely remarkable achievement and a pending Australian Record. The big eye was taken while trolling a gold 190 Halco Laser Pro.
With the nor’easter failing to let up, the final day’s fishing was cancelled at 8:00am, with boats that reached the continental shelf, opting to turn back as dangerous conditions were reported.
At the event presentation almost $50,000 worth of prizes were awarded, thanks to Okuma, Garmin, Club Marine, Band of Brothers Productions, GME, JB Lures, Top Gun Lures, Suffix, Goodger wind-ons, Fishing World, Culburra Bait and Tackle, McCallums Sports, Downrigger shop, Husky Pub, Webber Custom rods, Active Batteries, Aquatech, Daggs Tackle, Rapala and Pakula Lures.
Major prize winners were:
(Capture)
1.Most Meritorious Game Fish – Andrew Clark from Fishing World with a 32.8kg YFT
2.Heaviest Shark- Todd Morley from Run-a-muck with a 172.4kg mako
3.Heaviest YFT to Paul Orchard from INXS with a 41.2kg YFT
4.Heaviest other Game fish to Josh Hay from Impulsive with a 78.4kg big eye tuna
5.Champion Junior – Josh Hay from Impulsive
6.HIGHEST POINT SCORE BOAT- Run-a-muck
(Tag and Release)
1.Highest Point Scoring Male Angler – Cliff Lipscombe from Trust in Dreams
2.Highest Point Scoring Lady Angler – Elspeth Finney from Double D
3.Highest Point Scoring Junior – Josh Hay
4.Highest Point Scoring Small Fry – Mike James from Illusion
5.Most Marlin Tag and Release boat – Trust in Dreams (1)
6.Most Sharks Tag and Release boat – Grey Hounder (7)
7.Most YFT Tag and Release – Angie II (7)
8.Highest Point Scoring boat – Grey Hounder
Overall numbers – 171 anglers; 48 boats; 180 species recorded; 55 yellowfin tuna tagged, 12 captured; 78.4 kg big eye tuna – pending record for Junior on 37kg; 1 marlin tagged, several lost; 19 makos tagged; 9 captured; 1 dolphin fish weighed, several caught and kept for tucker.
For a full list of winners go to www.jervisbaygfc.com
