Back Issues:

• Aug 14, 2009     • Apr 25, 2009     • Apr 03, 2009     • Jan 17, 2009     • Sep 16, 2008     • Jul 31, 2008     • Jan 10, 2008     • Oct 10, 2007     • Aug 16, 2007     • Jul 23, 2007     • Jun 10, 2007     • Feb 22, 2007     • Oct 25, 2006     • Jun 19, 2006     • Apr 24, 2006     • Dec 05, 2005     • Sep 25, 2005     • Aug 25, 2005     • Jan 25, 2005     • Nov 21, 2004     • Jul 25, 2004     • May 16, 2004     • Jan 28, 2004     • Sep 29, 2003     • Jun 14, 2003     • Mar 14, 2003     • Jan 12, 2003     • Dec 15, 2002     • Oct 15, 2002     • Aug 25, 2002     • Jul 07, 2002     • Apr 27, 2002     • Mar 26, 2002     • Feb 6, 2002     • Nov 29 2001     • Oct 16 2001     • Oct 8 2001     • Sep 8 2001     • Jul 9 2001     • May 11 2001     • Apr 23 2001     • Mar 10 2001     • Jan 29 2001     • Dec 17 2000     • Nov 18 2000     • Nov 05 2000     • Sep 25 2000     • Aug 26 2000     • Jul 10 2000     • May 29 2000     • Apr 31 2000     • Mar 21 2000     • Feb 21 2000     • Jan 14 2000     • Dec 19 1999     • Dec 1 1999     • Nov 1999     • Oct 7 1999     • Sep 17 1999     • Aug 29 1999     • Aug 14 1999     • Aug 01 1999     • Jul 25 1999     • Jul 06 1999     • Jun 1999     • May 1999     • Mar 1999     • Feb 1999 Tune in to ABC Radio's Garry Smith at his FishTalk web site for more local fishing news.

September 7, 2009

YORKEYS KNOB SPORT FISHING CLUB "NORSHIP" LIGHT TACKLE SLAM by Keith Grahamp

The last weekend in August presented a sunny outlook with 15 to 18 knot sou east breezes and the 40 boats that entered the YKSFC Norship Light Tackle Slam gathered at the harbours entrance for a shotgun start. Most had taken advantage of the Yalumba sponsored champagne breakfast and were literally in good spirits as they sped out to sea in search of smaller black marlin and sailfish. With over $20,000 in cash and prizes the competition was fierce and seasoned veterans such as ‘Biggles’ ( Darren Hayden) who was skippering the new Dick Ward built Cool Runnings and Don Eccleston of ‘Secret Agent’ fame had their game plans in place heading out to their favourite spots.

First to hook up was Cool Runnings…..followed by Imagine , one with a sailfish and the other with a black marlin…..then it went quiet for a few hours as several boats reported hook ups and subsequent losses. Gamefish such as long tail and mack tuna kept many competitiors busy and of course Spanish Mackerel got into the act to provide some good sport. Later the first day ‘The Bear’ tagged another billie, making a total of 3 for the first day. They were there but many skippers reckoned they were shy and very hesitant to bite, making it difficult to hook up.

Chatter on the radio indicated all were having a great time and the regular radio ‘scheds’ run by Kath back at the club base gave those finding the going tough some good info as each boat had to report how many strikes, hook ups and captures they had….and give their position on the map provided. This is typical of the Yorkeys Knob boys who organise ‘fun’ Tournaments that encourage families to get involved.

Junior Angler Max Gerrard fished on ‘Secret Agent’ catching this 6 kilo spotted mackerel There were plenty of Cobia weighed in.

Runner up Billfish Angler…in the over 7.5 metre category, went to Barry Wiseman fishing on ‘Imagine’. The Champion Team in the over 7.5 metre class was ‘Cool Runnings’. Their team member Brad Pretti also won champion angler.

Day two was much the same with a similar amount of billfish hooked but only one was tagged by Flying Fisher. Many boats caught their share of Mackos and Tuna and a further bonus saw some good sized Cobia come to the weigh station, with ‘Team Kokoda’ reporting that they captured 4 of them up to 7.5 kilos.

As always the 3 course presentation dinner at the club house was well received, and the food was incredible! The club manager , Stewart Vella, and I presented the prizes to a seated audience of 170, then, after the initial prizes had been handed out the myriad of Lucky Door Prizes were next….followed by a raffle to give a weekends stay for two at Sea Temple at Palm Cove. How good is that!!!! B Few, if any Tournaments around this country spoil their anglers like Yorkeys Knob….a BIG thankyou has to be extended to all management and staff of this progressive club / Marina.

A BIG thanks to all the sponsors too…especially Norship Marine in Cairns, Yalumba Wines, KPMG, Phoenix Coatings, Craig Smith Marine Art, Patio World. Bransfords Tackle. Those present know the rest involved and as always we encourage participants to use the services of these generous local business’s.

RESULTS

• Champion Angler over 7.5 metres…….BRAD PRETTI FISHING ON ‘COOL RUNNINGS’ ( Also won Champion Team).
• Champion Angler under 7.5 metres…..GEORGE AGATHOS ON ‘TEAM KOKODA’ ( Also won Champion Team).
• Runner up Champion Angler over 7.5 mts……BARRY WISEMAN ON ‘IMAGINE’.
• Runner up Champion Angler under 7.5 mts….ZANE PEARCE ON ‘STRIPER’.
• Champion Junior Angler……………..JACK CAMPBELL.
• Heaviest Other Gamefish Junior Angler….MAX GERRARD.

Keith Graham