THE Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic 2012 was held recently and attracted a strong field of entrants who competed in perfect sea conditions.
On Saturday April 14, 18 boats from 21 to 70 feet in size with a totla of 100 anglers
and crew aboard, set off from the Lincoln Cove Marina under a shotgun start by tuna boat Tacoma. The weather conditions were perfect with no swell to speak of and only 5-12 knots of wind, which remained for the rest of the weekend.
Although the southern bluefin weren’t as prolific as at last year’s tournament, the competing boats caught and released 114 fish over 10kgs.
Organisers say the perfect weather and camaraderie displayed amongst the fleet has cemented the tournament as one of Port Lincoln’s major annual events.
Boats are reportedly already working on next year’s Tuna Classic which will be held
the 6th and 7th of April 2013.
The 2012 winners were:
Champion Boat: Noble One with Tim McDonald and his team
Runner up Champion Boat: Sledgehammer with Andrew Crilly and his team
Champion Trailer Boat: Shockwave with Richard Webb and his team
Champion Male Angler: Jason Stephenson on Shockwave
Heaviest Fish: Ralph Czabayski on Galaxy Star – fish weighing 14.1kgs
Champion boat: Noble One (From left: Michael Pitman (Riviera sales manager), Jerry Tagg, Dave Newcombe, Darren Stone, Tim McDonald (Team Captain) Megan Tapley).
Runner up Champion Boat: Sledgehammer with Andrew Crilly and team. Image: Tom McNab
Champion Trailer Boat: Shockwave with Richard Webb and team. Image: Tom McNab
See the final results HERE.
