Marlin comp lures in big numbers
The COVID-19 pandemic impacting Australia could not stop teams of keen anglers setting out to target prized black marlin and sailfish in the annual Townsville Game Fishing Club’s Billfish Challenge.
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The COVID-19 pandemic could not stop teams of keen anglers setting out to target prized black marlin and sailfish in the annual Townsville Game Fishing Club’s Billfish Challenge.
The bluewater fishing competition at the weekend lured in 25 teams from across North Queensland, hitting capacity under its COVID plan.
Club secretary Renee McKenzie said it had been the strongest number of entries in years.
“It’s above our average. There’s a lot of new boats,” she said.
Teams from the Whitsundays, stretching north ventured out into the blue coastal waters over three days in the tag-and-release competition.
Winning the annual competition was The Chapel with 10 tags, followed by runner-up crew Utopia with five tags and champion junior Seth Hatrick. A total of 56 tags including 46 black marlin and seven sailfish were made across the three days of competition.
Ms McKenzie said the fishing was good as juvenile black marlin had started to migrate south.
“The fishing was red hot in the lead up. There’s been more fish tagged (on Saturday), in the last day of fishing,” she said.
Club president Bernie Travers was initially concerned the 38th annual competition would be left high and dry this year because of COVID-19 but was relieved it was able to go ahead.
“We (the committee) were concerned that the event would have to be cancelled like many other events have been around the country due to COVID.
“We have made some modifications and adjustments to the event and I am excited to see it go ahead for what should be another great year of fishing,” he said.
All fish captured during the event were tagged and released in accordance with the Game Fishing Association of Australia.
Mr Travers said the event promoted the outstanding offshore pelagic game fishing offered off Townsville’s coast while contributing to the city’s economy with teams aboard trailer boats and larger game boats fuelling up and stocking up.
Originally published as Marlin comp lures in big numbers