Angling Competition 16th November 2019

John Bech didn’t win the Angling Section’s weekend competition on November 16 but there was no doubt he took the best picture.

With the Angling captain’s boat out of the water, John hopped aboard Catalyst with skipper Joe Venter and Kev Kroeger to compete on a day the mercury soared to a November record of 40.4C

Alas the competition wasn’t that hot with modest catches recorded.

John’s picture of a nosy hammerhead skulking through the crystal-clear water just off the Stragglers was one of the highlights from the day.

As it was John recorded a respectable 52.56 points, enough to win his battle between his mates aboard Catalyst and finish second overall.

With only four boats fishing, including Angling Rear-Commodore Neville Norkett and wife Di, it was not an overly productive day.

Plenty of sand whiting were taken, along with some herring, while John nailed two skippy at Minden Reef. A few squid were landed and Chris Walkey reported an encounter with a massive cuttlefish that sadly had skedaddled by the time he could get a jig in the water,

The red boat of Pat and Sue Keenan-Smith and Ray Wilson scored five king george, but not the kidney slappers from a year ago in the 2018 November comp. Plenty of sand whiting were taken on the drift north of the Windmills

Ray won the competition with six species – king george, sand whiting, herring, snook, squid and flathead while Sue won mystery fish with 0.172kg herring.

Pat’s 52cm flathead which weighed in at 0.748kg. was judged the catch of the day. Each of the winners get $120 towards their House Support Scheme.

The next competition is scheduled for December 6.

Event Report by Ray Wilson