Another successful Game Fish Classic

JON HOUZET

WHILE rock and surf anglers crowded the coast last weekend, local deep-sea fisherman opted for peace and quiet out at sea, and brought back some nice-sized fish.

Fewer boats and anglers entered the Game Fish Classic than past years, but the catches were still impressive. The contest was favoured with excellent weather conditions.

Junior angler Conner Joubert Jnr, 9, who caught yellowtail almost as long as he is tall, not only won the junior angler prize, but also took the top spot overall with 12 points. Among his catches was the biggest Bonito caught in the contest, at 5kg.

The boat that accumulated the most points was the Ingilozi, skippered by Jerry McComb, with 23 points. Ingilozi was already in the lead on Saturday morning. In second place was Doc Holiday, with 18 points, and Fly Dutchie Fly with 14 points.

As for individual anglers, Charl Hurn tied with J de Villiers for second place with nine points each, and three anglers – R Pattie, C Shultz and M Bradfield, tied for third place with eight points each.

Jennifer Nelson won the lady angler's prize.

Anglers returning on Saturday afternoon showed species-dominant catches, depending on where they anchored. Some boats came back with loads of kob, while others hit shoals of yellowtail and red Roman.

There was the usual ribbing among anglers who told each other their catches were still frozen or still had price tags attached.

Yellowtail Clinton Schultz 11.10kg

Bonito Conner Joubert ( Jnr ) 5.0 kg

GeelbekNeil Nelson 7.45 kg

Kob Russell Shelton 10.0 kg

Copper steenbras Ally Matthysen 10.0 kg

CarpenterGraham Clarke 2.55 kg

Miss LucyRalph Harris 2.35 kg

Red Roman Brandis Strauss 2.25 kg

Dageraad Patrick du Preez 3.0 kg

Soldier Gert du Plessis 2.65 kg

Stockfish Patrick du Preez 1.40 kg

GurnardNeil Nelson 1.15 kg