Angling Competition 14th & 15th February 2026
RPIAC Valentine’s Weekend Competition Delivers Quality Catches
The Rhyll-Phillip Island Angling Club (RPIAC) held its ninth angling competition of the 2025/2026 season over the weekend of February 14th and 15th, with anglers enjoying mild summer fishing conditions and another solid turnout at the scales. A total of 48 fish and 1 gamefish were weighed in by weigh-in masters Martin Xuereb, Duncan Firth and Andy Chihotski, keeping the clubrooms lively during the designated 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm weigh-in period on both days.
Eligible species encountered across the weekend included King George whiting, flathead, snapper, leatherjacket and salmon, reflecting the variety currently available throughout Western Port and surrounding waters.
In the Squidgies Mixed Bag competition, Jude Brown delivered a standout performance to claim first place with five fish worth 90 points, while Harley Griffin finished a close second with four fish worth 70 points. The Junior Points competition was won by Kolby Carton, who presented a King George whiting worth 1106 points (395 grams). The Junior Weight competition resulted in a rare tie, with Denver Firth weighing in a salmon of 505 grams and Kolby Carton matching the mark with a leatherjacket also weighing 505 grams.
The Senior Weight competitions were hotly contested, with Mark Griffin winning the Senior Male Weight prize with a salmon weighing 1220 grams, and Jennie Rickarby claiming the Senior Female Weight competition with a salmon weighing 630 grams. In the Senior Points categories, quality whiting and flathead dominated the leaderboard. Chris Leonardos secured the Senior Male Points prize with a superb 47 cm King George whiting worth 2100 points (750 grams), while Jennie Rickarby added to her weekend success by winning the Senior Female Points competition with a flathead worth 1404 points (780 grams).
The Gamefish competition was won by James Nicolaci, who weighed in a strong Kingfish of 6585 grams, while both the Shark and Squid/Cuttlefish competitions were uncontested this weekend. The Secret Weight prize went to Sam Orr, whose King George whiting weighing 440 grams came closest to the secret weight of 443 grams.
Following the presentation of awards, members and supporters enjoyed a barbecue, generously sponsored by Bakers Delight Cowes, providing a relaxed and welcoming conclusion to another successful competition weekend.
Despite the healthy spread of fish, the RPIAC Extraordinary Catch Incentives remain unclaimed this season. All members-only, competition-weekend $1000 first-to-catch prizes are still 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). With several competitions remaining, optimism remains high that an extraordinary catch may yet be recorded.
With only weeks to go until the highly anticipated RPIAC Westernport Whiting Classic, excitement continues to build. The open competition will be held on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th of March, welcoming anglers of all ages to compete in senior and junior divisions for prizes and trophies valued at more than $10,000. Entry details and updates are available via the Official Rhyll-Phillip Island Angling Club Facebook page and website.
RPIAC continues to promote participation in recreational angling and offers complimentary membership to juniors aged 16 and under. The clubrooms, located adjacent to the Rhyll boat ramp, are open on Friday evenings from 5 pm and during competition weekends for weigh-in. The next angling competition will be held on February 28th and March 1st, 2026, with members looking forward to another productive weekend on the water.
