First Marlin for Gamefishing Season.

Jackie Goodchild bagged the ultimate game fishing prize last weekend with her first recorded tagged and released Black Marlin. A first for the boat and her first for the club this season, Jackie was as proud as punch with her great effort.

While trawling some deep diving lures for mackerel around Bonner Rocks, the estimated 60kg fish hit the lure hard and then proceeded to successfully dispatch its new piecing (lure) with some great acrobatic displays. Unfortunately for the Marlin, but lucky for Jackie it managed to spit out the lure only to have it foul hook itself in the Marlin’s tail. After frantically clearing the deck of the other lines it was decided that nothing was to hinder the battle ahead. To the shock of Jackie’s sister Donna, who was visiting from Brisbane, Skipper Rod unhooked the vessels tender it was towing at the time of hook up, and cast it adrift to fend for itself. Not an easy thing to do when there was plenty of rocky islands and shallow reefs in the immediate area, but the crew was determined to tag it’s first Black Marlin.

After a hard fort 40 minute tussle in the uneven choppy swell, the Marlin was tagged, photographed and released to fight another day.

By the way, the tender was retrieved successfully after the Kodak moment, and successfully release of the mighty fish. Well done Jackie and crew.

With such a tremendous effort with this report, remember the Club is running an open invitation for anyone of any age wanting to learn more about game fishing. Smaller clinics are available to be held between now and the beginning of November on request. Ladies, gents and all juniors can contact the club and arrange a suitable time to catch up with Club Representatives who are only too happy to discuss game fishing, rules and regulations, along with tips, techniques and knots to kick start your next game fishing adventure. Open to any interested junior or adult, these sessions can be arranged by calling Peter on 8987 8333.

Both the Walkabout Lodge John Jones Memorial Billfish Challenge and the XXXX Gold Gove Game Classic are attracting more registrations by the week. Interested anglers are reminded not to leave their nomination to the last minute. Avoid disappointment and register early as less than 50 Shimano outfits remain on offer. Entry forms available from Travelworld.

Although the winds made morning sessions a little uncomfortable last weekend, mackerel and tuna made up the majority of captures. Good lunch time tides this Saturday and Sunday for those fishing out wide, if only the winds stay below 15 knots for the weaker stomachs.

The Club will be releasing it’s new regular public newsletter via Post Office boxes this week. If you have a “junk mail” block on your mail box, you won’t receive this informative update of the Clubs activities. If this is the case, contact the club and request an email copy. Promoting up coming events, tournaments and what’s happening around the traps, you can now keep in touch with the Club on a regular basis.

Check out the Tournament adds and weekly tide times in todays Arafura Times.

Until next week, tight lines.

Peter Cox
0417 879 031