Angling Competition 31st January-1st February 2026
RPIAC Anglers Build Momentum Ahead of Westernport Whiting Classic
The Rhyll-Phillip Island Angling Club (RPIAC) held its eighth angling competition of the 2025/2026 season over the weekend of January 31st and February 1st, with anglers enjoying far more cooperative fishing conditions than those experienced in the previous round. The improved weather was reflected on the scales, with a strong 55 fish, 2 sharks and 1 cuttlefish weighed in across the two days by weigh-in masters Martin Xuereb and Duncan Firth.
Anglers encountered a healthy spread of species throughout the weekend, including King George whiting, flathead, snapper, mackerel, leatherjacket, pike and salmon, keeping the weigh-in room busy and reinforcing confidence that fishing across Western Port remains productive as summer holidays conclude.
The Squidgies Mixed Bag competition proved a tight contest, with Harley Griffin and Byron Griffin finishing tied for first place after each landed two fish worth 35 points. In the junior ranks, Denver Firth delivered an outstanding performance, winning both the Junior Weight and Junior Points competitions. Denver weighed in a flathead of 1425 grams to claim the weight prize and followed up with a quality King George whiting worth 1456 points (520 grams) to secure the points title.
In the senior categories, Sam Linklater won the Senior Male Weight competition with a snapper weighing 1430 grams, while Tenille Preddice took out the Senior Female Weight competition with a flathead weighing 455 grams. The points competitions were highlighted by some quality whiting, with Chris Leonardos winning the Senior Male Points prize thanks to a 49-centimetre King George whiting worth 2366 points (845 grams). Jennie Rickarby claimed the Senior Female Points competition with a King George whiting worth 1792 points (640 grams).
The Shark Competition was won by Theo Kastoras, who weighed in a solid gummy shark of 11,100 grams, while the Squid/Cuttlefish Competition was claimed by Albert Abram with a cuttlefish weighing 1475 grams. The Gamefish Competition was uncontested this weekend. The Secret Weight Prize went to Garry Richards, whose flathead weighing 460 grams came agonisingly close to the secret weight of 463 grams.
While fishing conditions were favourable, the elusive RPIAC Extraordinary Catch Incentives continue to evade competitors this season. All members-only, competition-weekend $1000 first-to-catch prizes remain banked, with eligible species required to meet or exceed the nominated weights of King George whiting (1000 grams), snapper (10.0 kilograms), gummy shark (20.0 kilograms), mulloway (25.0 kilograms) and kingfish (25.0 kilograms).
The weekend also served as another reminder of the exciting months ahead, with the RPIAC Westernport Whiting Classic fast approaching. The open competition will be held on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th of March, welcoming anglers of all skill levels to compete in senior and junior categories for prizes and trophies valued at more than $10,000. Entry information and updates are available via the Official Rhyll-Phillip Island Angling Club Facebook page. RPIAC continues to promote participation in recreational angling and offers complimentary membership for juniors aged 16 and under, encouraging skill development and responsible fishing practices. The clubrooms, located adjacent to the Rhyll boat ramp, are open to members and visitors on Friday nights from 5 pm and on competition weekends during weigh-in. The next RPIAC angling competition will be held on February 14th and 15th, 2026, with members eager to see whether the next round might finally produce an extraordinary catch.
