Unfortunately fishing was slower than previous years, albeit the weeks leading up to the tournament saw some of the best early seasons results in some time. The water was warm and right out the front with several purple patches averaging 24.5 degrees,  the lack of bait made finding the fish difficult.

The weather was great on Saturday with only a late change in the arvo. There were 2 marlin Captured, both on 10kg line by “BlueBlooded” and a third was tagged and released by the smallest boat in the field, (17ft Haines V17L) “Hard & Fast”. On the Shark front, “Carnage” tagged a small Blue Shark on 6kg and lost a Mako after a short fight. “Overtime” tagged a small Tiger Shark and had another larger one around the boat for some time, however it refused to take a bait. The only other Shark for the weekend was a tagged Tiger on “Blood & Guts”. There were several Striped Tuna and Kingfish tagged by juniors on the Saturday, as well as a couple small Mahi Mahi.

Sunday proved to be a challenging day, as most boats were greeted by 20knots+ North Easterly wind from 9am onward and heavy consistent 2-3m swells also from the N-E. “Overtime” again managed to raise a 150kg+ Mako however it too would avoid taking a bait. No other sharks were seen on the Sunday. Late in the afternoon “Outlaw” tagged a healthy Blue Marlin off Sydney. That would be the only Marlin tagged for the day. With a couple boat reporting waves in excess of 20ft many boats turned for home early.

All in all the final results looked like this;

CHAMPION MALE ADULT T&R – Andrew Griffin 10,000 pts “HARD AND FAST” – CCGFC

CHAMPION MALE ADULT CAPTURE – Josh Hodder 12,180.13 pts “BLUE BLOODED” – LMGFC

CHAMPION FEMALE ADULT T&R – Karen Perivolaris 2,300pts “OVERTIME” – CCGFC

HEAVIEST MARLIN ANGLER – Josh Hodder 75.70kg Stiped Marlin “BLUE BLOODED” – LMGFC

CHAMPION JUNIOR T&R – Carl Ayoub 1,266 pts “LOCKOUT” – BOTANY BAY GFC

CHAMPION JUNIOR OTHER GAME FISH T&R – 1,266 pts Carl Ayoub “LOCKOUT” – BOTANY BAY GFC

CHAMPION SMALL FRY T&R OVERALL – 310pts Spenser Hoye “HAULIN” – CCGFC

CHAMPION ANGLER OTHER GAME FISH T&R – 1,266pts – Carl Ayoub “LOCKOUT” – BOTANY BAY GFC

CHAMPION BOAT OVER 8METERS T&R – 10,000pts – “THE OUTLAW” PHGFC

CHAMPION BOAT OVER 8METERS CAPTURE – 24938.31pts – “BLUE BLOODED” – LMGFC

CHAMPION BOAT UNDER 8 METERS T&R – 10,000pts – “HARD AND FAST” – CCGFC

By Brodie

After the date finally arriving for the Central Coast GFC Blue Water Classic to commence and 2 months of long anticipation, being brought together by Grahame President of GFAA. The Four Juniors Phil Lamond, Jake Brisbane, Corey Wilson and myself Brodie Quaas selected to fish on the NSW Game Fishing Association Junior Team were ready to represent our State. We were soon to meet our skipper Harry Miriklis and deckhand Stephen Schnepf. After a short briefing and being shown to our room with a night full of fishing story’s each of us talking about Australian records, big captures, sponsorships and the one that got away story’s, we were in bed late and up early for what we were hoping to be a big day of pelagic game fishing.

With all the skirts out at about 20km off the coast we were off to the shelf to a place called the bait grounds to try and find some billfish with perfect water temperature a light breeze just to put a small chop and about half a meter seas, made it ideal conditions for fishing. After a short 4 hours we had the left rigger snap and everyone jumping and spilling whatever was close to them rushing and springing to battle stations threw the alarm call of a Tiagra 50W screaming off this was shortly interrupted by the fussy little black marlin est. 60kg changing his mind from a Lumo to Black skirt and having a crack on the shotgun. Phil raced down to his rod and with the fish taking a 25m run we were shore that we were on and the gear was coming in. When Phil made the call that we lost it, the crew went into a shock of disbelief it was all over. After a bit of a disappointing day and not many other fish being caught elsewhere. We made our way in home where we were chaperoned by Grahame and his partner Faye to a beautiful dinner and a somewhat earlier night then the previous.

Another early start heading out of Brisbane Waters had us heading out into somewhat less pleasant conditions then the day before with light rain, 3 meter seas and 20 knot winds. We tried out at the Terrigal FAD for some dolphin fish and kings with little success so we punched out to the bait grounds again, with conditions getting worse Harry and Grahame made the call and we started to make our way home. It was on the way home surfing down a big rolling swell that Steve and I witness one of the biggest fish I have ever seen, a big Blue marlin estimated 200kg + coming in for a look on the shotgun. With a couple of the other boys feeling sick, the fish was gone as fast as it was there, all in the blink of an eye.

Although we did not catch any fish it was great for all us juniors to meet other young anglers all as keen as each other with something we could all share in common our love and passion for the sport of fishing. After leaving the Blue Water Classic, a competition that is run extremely well and is becoming a more and more popular competition for anglers of Australia every year. We juniors left with a huge thanks To Grahame, Faye, Steve and Harry for looking after us with massive smiles on our faces for memories that we will never forget and will speak of for many years to come.  I can personally advise any junior who considers themselves to be a confident angler to apply for this once in a life time experience.

Fish hard and Fish fair.

Brodie Quaas.

Team 1 – Capture

“Topaz “– Team Captain Jon Priddle

“Overtime” Nicholas Perivolaris

“Hard and Fast” Gavin Hottes

“Ducky” Andrew Duck

“Blue Rhapsody” Russel Kuhn

Team 2 – T&R

“Flying Fisher” -Team Captain Scott Thorington

“Haulin” Dean Hoye

“Asalt Weapon” Luke Bell

“Old Mate” Michael Atkinson

“True Lies” Daniel Holgate

Team 3 – T&R

“Booka Cat” – Team Captain Dave Harriman

“Bacsoon” Michael Vincent

“Rowdy” John Fordham

“Beak Aus” Johan Landsberg

“Oannes” Marcus Pearson

We had our CCGFC 24 hour night fish on the 19^th and 20^th of November with four boat braving the windy conditions. Haulin, Happy Days, Booka Cat and Overtime making the journey out to the shelf for the night and they were also joined by Dark Horse from SGFC. The afternoon was fine and all was well until about 6pm when the wind started. Apparently a few boats had some green crew members on board. About 10pm most skippers decided to retreat to the shelter of refuges bay for the night. Amongst all the fun team Overtime did manage to tag a tiger shark which is the first tiger for the season so well done guys.

Also a big thanks to Captain Scotty and Junior for the bait rigging demo at last month’s meeting with all in attendance enjoying the smell of stinky bait on a Monday.

The last few weeks have seen the fishing in Central Coast waters starting to heat up. With some warm water coming down the coast and the marlin starting to show up. It looks like we are all in for a good season this year.

The boys on Asalt Weapon have taken out this year’s first marlin of the season in Central Coast waters. After a few attempts they managed to tag a nice striped marlin just up north and well within our grid map to take out the prize (Great work guys). Anyone on Facebook can check out the action on our club page thanks to Luke’s awesome go pro movies.

CCGFC has also been notified that we have had our first retag of a marlin. Team Regulator tagged a black marlin at last year’s interclub tournament in February 2011 at Port Stephens with the fish being retagged in Cairns a few weeks ago. (I think Nathan has a full report later in this edition of the spread)

We are now starting to come into tournament time with our event next on the central zone calendar. CCGFC will be hosting the Central Coast Blue Water Classic from Gosford Sailing Club on the 6^th, 7^th & 8^th of January 2012 and I would encourage you all to participate and support our club. We have some great prizes up for grabs this year and with the fishing improving, it looks like we are in for a great weekend. Entry forms are available on our web site or you can contact myself or any other committee member for further details. If you can’t fish that weekend but would like to help out I am sure the tournament committee would welcome the assistance.

Also just a reminder with the changes in the central zone rules this year, any of our club boats wishing to fish the central zone completion this season must register with our central zone co-ordinator (Dean Hoye – 0410 661 444) before 7pm on the Wednesday night prior to any tournament.

We also need to start making arrangements for the interclub at Port Stephens for next year. Could any skippers interested in fishing the interclub in 2012 please contact me as I am starting to look at our club registrations and selecting CCGFC teams for the event.

In the interim if anyone has any questions relating to fishing or club rules I can be contacted on 0418 457 526 and am always happy to assist where I can.

Luke Vidal

CCGFC Angling Captain

On the 16th April formerly of Booker Bay, 15yo teenager Dylan Green was injured in a diving accident which has left him a paraplegic and possibly a quadraplegic.

At 6.30pm on the 16th July @ Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club friends are holding a charity auction night for Dylan, to help his mum Tammy who is a struggling single mum, pay Dylans ongoing medical bills. If your buisness would like to help and donate items that can be auctioned on the night please contact John Louden, President Ettalong Fishing Club on 0408 120 214.

CCGFC has got on board with some support and will be donating $250 cash to contribute towards purchasing Dylan an I-Pad to assist him in communicating. Along with this the CCGFC committee are asking as many CCGFC members to get along to the auction night as Peter Pakula has donated a variety of lures to assist with raising some well needed funds. All help and donations are appreciated!

Proceeding kick off at 7pm @Gosford Sailing Club.

Recently whilst filming a striped Marlin being revived, a Mako Shark Approx 300kg pushed him aside to take a bite from the Marlin, needless to say Al was there in the water with them to capture the event! Incredible, check out these images!

(please click the link above)

The Australian elections are coming up on 21 Aug 2010 and under a Green/Labour govt. our fishing could be under threat.
Fishing is part of our unique Australian life-style…
But BEWARE! If the Greens get their way, we could be banned from fishing in many public waters and restricted in this healthy family activity. If YOU and your kids enjoy this simple outdoor pleasure, DON’T risk voting for the Greens or their Labour Mates!
KEEP AUSTRALIA FISHING!

SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK

Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry

M E D I A  R E L E A S E

10 August 2010

Labor preferences to assist Greens’ reckless marine park lock-ups

The Greens policy to lock up 30% of Australian waters from fishing – starting today with the Coral Sea – is the most irresponsible, reckless and un-informed policy released during the 2010 election campaign.

Today Greens leader Bob Brown announced the lock up of almost every inch of the Coral Sea without a skerrick of independent scientific assessment.

Coalition spokesperson for Fisheries Senator Richard Colbeck said while this will be an unmitigated disaster for Queensland’s fishing communities, it points to a ticking time bomb for the regional economies of the rest of coastal Australia.

“The Greens have indicated during the election campaign their marine parks policy is based on the cartoon Happy Feet. But today’s announcement of a lock-up of the Coral Sea is not funny at all,” Senator Colbeck said.

“The locking up of almost every inch of Coral Sea from any form of fishing, together with 30% of all Australian waters as the Greens are promising, would wipe out the economies of coastal communities.

“Thousands of hard working fishers, small business operators and their employees would be forced to join the dole queue while the healthy lifestyles of millions of recreational fishing families would be severely impacted upon.”

Senator Colbeck said the Greens policy threat must be taken seriously following their backroom preference deal with Labor.

“Because of this backroom Labor-Green deal, all over Australia votes for Labor will be helping the Greens be elected to and taking control of the Senate,” Senator Colbeck said.

“Once the Greens get control of the Senate, they will make it their mission to lock-up our waters and tell fishers and their families to go jump.

“In stark contrast, the Coalition is committed to only establishing marine parks if full and proper consultation occurs with the recreational and commercial fishing sectors. And we will make sure proper peer-reviewed scientific assessment is carried out.

“A vote for Labor or a vote for the Greens is a vote for more marine parks without proper assessment or consultation.

“The only way to avoid the locking up of 30% of Australia’s waters to fishing is to vote for the Coalition.”

—————————————————————-

Patrick Clancy

Office of Senator Richard Colbeck

Senator for Tasmania | Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry

Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Industry, Innovation, Science & Research