Sovereign Blue Marlin Classic 2020

1. Marcus Maher Memorial Trophy
Michael Callan

2. HPS – Day 1 (Highest Point Scoring)
Susan Chapple

3. HPS Day 2
Michael Callan
Est 150kg Blue Marlin on 37kg

4. HPS Tuna other than
Yellowfin
Mark Miller
5.8kg SBF Tuna on 3kg

5. HPS Mahi Mahi
Tom Schilling
Est 4.79kg on 2kg

6. HPS Mackerel
John Beck
Est 8.98kg on 4kg

7. HPS Tag and Release
Blue Marlin
Michael Callan

8. HPS Marlin Angler
Michael Callan

9. HPS Tag and Release Marlin
Michael Callan

10. HPS Team (FSC Only)
Rock n Roll: 595.16pts

11. Incidents Trophy
Jatz Crackers
Who needs a radio?

12. HPS FSC Member
Tom Schilling

13. Most Meritorious Capture
Michael Callan
Blue Marlin

14. Weigh Masters Trophy
Betsy
Dropped their first Marlin

15. Champion Female: Species
Sue Chapple: 517.99 pts

16. Champion Male: Species
Tom Schilling: 517.8 pts
Runner up, John Beck: 369.5 pts

17. Champion Boat under 8.5m
Rockall: 4,000pts
Runner up, Rock n Roll: 595.16pts

18. Champion Boat over 8.5m
Chrystal Quartz: 524.32pts
Runner up, Geordie Girl: 317.05pts

19. Interclub Champion
Exmouth Game Fishing Club
Rockall: 4,000pts

Fourteen boats entered this year’s event which commenced with the usual briefing on Friday night. It was encouraging for the event organizers (Brian Arnett – Tournament Director; George Greaves – Section Captain and Andrew Robinson – committee) to see a number of new faces and the usual eagerness, even by the more seasoned participants.
The briefing was peppered by the raffles and several teams were lucky enough to win vouchers and life vests to kick off, for what was promising, to be another great event.
New sponsors, including the naming rights Sovereign entered teams and the event was well supported by both regular and new sponsors alike.  All of which helped attract the entries and provide the incentive to get out and tackle the elusive marlin and other game species.

Saturday
Following the ‘round up’ just north of the North Mole, Simon Devitt got the show on the road at 8.00 with his usual flare and panache and 14 boats single sped off, all with a single mind in purpose, on relatively calm waters that promised everything. There were two marlin raised and hooked albeit for short terms on Saturday.  This was to prove the focal point of stories of the ‘fish that got away’ that night at the Karma Rottnest Lodge.  Unfortunately, there was a North West wind on Saturday and as a result the Tournament Weigh Master, Glenn Crofts, did not have a great deal to do at the end of the day.

Sunday
A strong easterly wind was a bit discouraging to wake up to but it did not deter a few early starters and as it happened, Rockall, skippered by Michael Callan, proved that the early bird really does catch the worm.  By 8.30 Michael had the rest of the fleet buzzing with news of a tag and released blue marlin. A great capture given the conditions out wide were very challenging, with a four meter swell, topped up with 20 knot plus winds.
By the end of the day several boats had caught and or tagged, a range of fish including mahi mahi and south blue fin tuna. However, Michael’s fish was to prove a winner and none of the other boats could score enough points to overtake his lead.  The common catch cry at the Karma Lodge that night was, ‘ bloody luck of the Irish’.

Monday
37knot winds at West End were, sadly enough, to cause the Tournament Committee to cancel the final days fishing.

John Cramer
Tournament Committee
Vice Captain, Game Fishing Section