Lobster48
10-08-2006, 12:05 PM
I recently took part in my first fishing tournament...the Broome Billfish Classic.
To start of with I was a little apprehensive giong into a Billfish comp having never caught a billfish and being surrounded by 'PROS'. I was soon put at ease bythe extremely friendly people of the area who welcomed us with open arms. From our perspective the comp was an absolute success. Our teams aim was to catch A sailfish...one for the boat for the comp. Our next aim was to get one per angler and anything after that was not even worth thinking about.
We acheived our first aim by 8am on day two and our second aim by 4pm on day three. It was all fun from there. In total we raised 45 sails and tagged seven fish which we thought was great.
I guess this is the funny thing about fishing tournaments is that while you are competing against other teams, you have a battle against the fish and yourself first.
A total of 25 teams took part in the comp with around 100 anglers. The comp ran for 6 days with 5 days scoring giving each team the ability to drop there worst day. Suited us as day one was all about learning the ropes with no fish caught. All in all 871 sailfish were raised with 265 tagged and 43 marlin raised with 14 tagged.
As I said we were rapped with our meagre contribution to these tallies and certainly have the bug to get into it again. I can only urge other people to make the effort and get across to this comp. For those who are unaware I towed a 6m boat from Brisbane to Darwin and after a two day break drove to Broome for the comp. The roads are in good nick the entire way and splitting the fuel costs with a few others makes it a viable option, especially after putting 12 months of dosh away. The only issue for those looking at it is accommodation in Broome. Broome is packed at time of the year and you will need to book in advance. There is a wide range of accommodation from 5 star to campgrounds and self contained cabins.
If you have never caught a sail before do not worry, there is a linup of people wanting to let you know there secrets on how to hook these fish...as opposed to the east coast where any such matters would nessitate the loaning of Max Smarts cone of silence following a hand shake over a document swearing secrecy.
All jokes aside this was my first comp and will not be my last. If you are gonig to start anywhere make it this comp.
The dates for next year are 20 - 28 Jul2006. THe Broome Fishing Clun host the comp and can provide you with any info you require. I don't have their phone number but they do have a web site www.broomefishingclub.com.au
Anyway I have attached a few photos to further whet you appetites.
Lobster
To start of with I was a little apprehensive giong into a Billfish comp having never caught a billfish and being surrounded by 'PROS'. I was soon put at ease bythe extremely friendly people of the area who welcomed us with open arms. From our perspective the comp was an absolute success. Our teams aim was to catch A sailfish...one for the boat for the comp. Our next aim was to get one per angler and anything after that was not even worth thinking about.
We acheived our first aim by 8am on day two and our second aim by 4pm on day three. It was all fun from there. In total we raised 45 sails and tagged seven fish which we thought was great.
I guess this is the funny thing about fishing tournaments is that while you are competing against other teams, you have a battle against the fish and yourself first.
A total of 25 teams took part in the comp with around 100 anglers. The comp ran for 6 days with 5 days scoring giving each team the ability to drop there worst day. Suited us as day one was all about learning the ropes with no fish caught. All in all 871 sailfish were raised with 265 tagged and 43 marlin raised with 14 tagged.
As I said we were rapped with our meagre contribution to these tallies and certainly have the bug to get into it again. I can only urge other people to make the effort and get across to this comp. For those who are unaware I towed a 6m boat from Brisbane to Darwin and after a two day break drove to Broome for the comp. The roads are in good nick the entire way and splitting the fuel costs with a few others makes it a viable option, especially after putting 12 months of dosh away. The only issue for those looking at it is accommodation in Broome. Broome is packed at time of the year and you will need to book in advance. There is a wide range of accommodation from 5 star to campgrounds and self contained cabins.
If you have never caught a sail before do not worry, there is a linup of people wanting to let you know there secrets on how to hook these fish...as opposed to the east coast where any such matters would nessitate the loaning of Max Smarts cone of silence following a hand shake over a document swearing secrecy.
All jokes aside this was my first comp and will not be my last. If you are gonig to start anywhere make it this comp.
The dates for next year are 20 - 28 Jul2006. THe Broome Fishing Clun host the comp and can provide you with any info you require. I don't have their phone number but they do have a web site www.broomefishingclub.com.au
Anyway I have attached a few photos to further whet you appetites.
Lobster