As a few of you would know I am involved in the Port Hedland Game Fishing Club.  Earlier this year we were approached and asked if we were interested in taking over the running of the Mackerel Islands Game Fishing Tournament. The previous host club had lost interest in the Tournament after 25 years which was a shame but these things happen.

 

The Tournament is limited to lines classes up to 8kg so a combination of Mackerel Islands fish rich waters, light line and experienced fishermen coming from all over WA mixed together to ensure a lively competition.

 

The format is 5 days of fishing, of which a team must select one 'lay day' of their choice.

 

Teams came from all over WA, Kalbarri, Exmouth, Port Hedland, Karratha, Busselton and Perth were all represented.

 

With a lift in competition this year, and also a big lift in the levels of prizes and trophys on offer, 2011 is already shaping up to become a massive year. Port Hedland Game Fishing Clubs vision is for this to be restored as an Invitational Only competition within 2 years.

 

10 boats lined up for the comp this year including 2 from the Leisurecat sponsors. We also had Ryan and crew from Fishing WA there to cover the event as well as shoot a couple of episodes for their series.

 

The first night saw every team introduce themselves and their crew and the Tournament briefing. Some prizes were on display as well as the Tournament trophies.

 

Approaching Thevenard Island

View from the cabin.

Breifing night and some of the prizes on offer.

Day 1 saw our team take a lay day after a late night and long drive. Picked up this little Sharky on popper just around the corner, nearly first cast of the trip.

Had a few squid following poppers and divers so tied on some jigs. Skipper copped a jet of ink. He was even saying he hadnt seen it squirt yet.

Another nice squid. Tasted lovely with flour and salty and pepper.

Turned out flattening off nicely in the arvo.

Day 2 was a quiet one for us. Our focus was on raising Billies and only raised one for the day. A brief hookup and jump off. I also lost a nice Tuna at the boat on 3kg. Found it hard to get a solid hookup on the light gear. The skipper was still in high spirits.

Kelly Lane landed this nice Shark Mackerel (Large Scale Tuna) on 3kg. Its a potential ANSA Australian Womens Record at 9.2kg.

Murchison Boat Hire crew with a double hookup on 2 and 3kg line alongside us. These guys stayed light all week and put some good fish on the score board.

We had a couple of quiet days as we struggled to find the Bill Fish. Raised 5 on day 3 but failed to convert to tagged fish. Day 4 was even worse with only one fish hooked briefly within minutes of lines in.

Day 5 saw us hit a patch of water that looked much better. I had an acrobatic little Black attached within half hour of trolling. Put up a good fight on 8kg and was tagged within around 40m.

Ten minutes of trolling later and the flat line was hit by another small Black. This one on 6kg. Sure have to work for your fish on the light stuff.

Then it was the skippers turn for a go. His 8kg rig lept out of the rigger and he was onto our 3rd Black of the day.

The day quietened right down with a few fish raised but no hooked and another Black dropped by me due to a stupid mistake on hookup. The 8kg just wont tolerate heavy handed tactics.

One of the other boats called in their second Sailfish leaving me trailing the Billfish count on countback. Pressure was on to produce one more whhile trying not to think about missed oppurtunities.

An hour before lines out was called my rig popped out of the rigger. Line flowed from the reel and I set the hooks and the fish accelerated. Praying for a Billie we held our breath until a Sail finally left the water.

20 minutes later the tag was in. An estimated 25kg Sailfish.

Our total for the day was 8 Billfish raised, 5 hooked, 3 Marlin and 1 Sailfish Tagged.

Headed back to the beach for weigh in.

These guys were hiring on of the Islands Plaka Boats. Keen fisherman but not fishing the comp they came in every day with something in the esky. Here is one of 'Team Euro's' catches.

A nice Mack Tuna to Sue Malton caught on 2kg line.

John Hoye with a 13.1kg Mackerel. This was the largest Mack weighed for the week.

Laurie Malton with a nice Yellowfin. Pretty sure this one was on 6kg.

The Calcutta for largest Red Emperor caught on a lay day went to Mick.

Presentation night was on Friday night with a fantastic dinner prepared by the Mackerel Islands staff.

Brad Spiers accepts his prize for 'Most Tagged Species'

Kelly Lane with Highest Point Scoring Gamefish. 9.2 Large Scale Tuna on 3kg line.

And also the Highest Point Scoring Female for the Comp.

Island manager Drew Norrish 'accidentally' caught the Runner Up Largest Mackerel. He also won the Calcutta for Largest Mack as the John Hoye hadnt entered this Calcutta.

Runner Up Champion Boat, Tara, from Port Hedland Game Fishing Club.

Champion Boat, Awesum, from Exmouth.

Greg Lane colleted this years MIFU (Most Ingenious F*** Up) for managing to impale his tender on Tara's skeg with daughter on board. It rapidly deflated.

Final morning blew right up. We waited for a couple of hours before heading off home. It actually wasnt too bad once you got off the island.

 

Anyone thinking about hitting the Mackerel Islands I couldnt recommend the place enough. Fantastic facitities. Awesome, hardworking staff. Good fishing. And the beer is pretty cheap considering as well. It wont be long until you see me back down that way again.