COMPETITORS at this year’s XXXX Gold NT Barra Classic have experienced some of the quietest fishing on record with 49 teams accounting for a sum total of 207 barra over the course of the five day event.
Fishing World’s David Green once again ventured to the Top End to compete in the Classic, organised and run by the Darwin Game Fishing Club, and the preceding Barra Nationals. He reports that while the fishing was extremely tough at the Classic, “persistence paid off”.
Debbie Halprin from the DGFC reports nine barra measuring over a metre were taken during the event.
Testament to the tough conditions, David Green and his Takin’ a Punt team mates Kelvin Williams and Peter Washington took out top mixed team, despite taking only five fish over the five days. Washington scored one of the “metrey” fish with a 102cm model while Greeny accounted for a 98cm fish. While the Top End has experienced a below par barra season due to a disappointing wet season, Greeny says the absence of mullet running up the river played a major part in the lack of barra action at this year’s event.
The largest fish of the tournament were taken by Paul Simpson with an impressive 106cm barra on a soft plastic – reportedly Simpson’s first ever on an SP – and a 114cm beauty for Heath Grylls also on a softie – a 110mm “Lorikeet” Slick Rig.
While the fishing wasn’t up to the usual Classic standards a good time, as ever, was reportedly had by all. (Scroll down for more results)
Ben Robinson with a nice silver Daly River barra. Image: Rick Huckstepp
Classic regular Rohan “Shorty” Short took out fourth place in the individual listings. Image: Rick Huckstepp
A nice fish taken on Juniors’ Day. Image: Rick Huckstepp
2013 XXXX GOLD NT BARRA CLASSIC – FINAL TEAM RESULTS (Top 20)
PLACING/TEAM/POINTS
1 Top End Tackle World 1525
2 Halco Scorpageist 1155
3 Takin’ A Punt 980
4 Pilbarians 790
5 Reel Easy 645
6 Mongrels 520
7 Guns & Roses 510
8 Barra Bernies 485
9 Star Mountains Fishing Club 465
10 Teams 4B’s 435
11 Team Venom 400
12 Science Fiction 365
13 Polar Bears 345
14 Team Barranoia 340
15 Light Horse 270
16 XXXX Angels 265
17 Humminbird 230
18 Nothin’ But Net 200
19 Halco Warriors 195
20 Team Slick Rig 175
2013 XXXX GOLD NT BARRA CLASSIC – FINAL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (Top 20)
PLACING/ ANGLER/POINTS
1 Steve Compain 965
2 Heath Grills 605
3 Paul Simpson 545
4 Rohan Short 505
5 Doug Sanderson 465
6 Graeme Light 435
6 Tom McCullough 435
8 Ben Robinson 430
9 Terry Ryan 410
10 Roxsean Edwards 400
10 Stephen Sly 400
12 Peter Washington 385
13 Phillip Clark 365
14 David Green 345
15 Mark Cottrell 340
16 Sam Cox 305
17 Tony Hare 265
18 Neil Mellon 260
18 Jimmy Politis 260
20 Daniel Bradley 255
