Angling Competition 17th & 18th January 2026
The Rhyll-Phillip Island Angling Club (RPIAC) held its seventh angling competition of the 2025/2026 season over the weekend, with the event proving to be one of the most challenging in recent memory. Strong and persistent easterly winds dominated conditions across both days, making it extremely difficult for anglers to fish from boats. As a result, participation was limited and catches were scarce, with just six fish weighed in across the entire weekend.
Easterly winds have long carried an air of mystery and folklore amongst anglers, often spoken about in hushed tones at boat ramps and tackle shops alike. Many believe that an easterly shuts fish down, pushing them off the bite or holding them deep and inactive, and this weekend did little quash that belief.
Despite the tough fishing, the weekend still delivered several highlights for the club. The competition coincided with the official announcement of the 2026 RPIAC Westernport Whiting Classic, a major open event to be held on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th of March 2026. The competition will be open to all anglers and will feature senior and junior categories, with prizes and trophies with a total value of more than $10,000. Entry details and updates are available via the Official Rhyll-Phillip Island Angling Club Facebook page, and anticipation is already building for what promises to be a standout event on the Westernport calendar.
The weekend also saw RPIAC host Chrissy Lomagno, a leader with WIRFAB (Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating), who ran a fishing clinic at the clubrooms. While the weather prevented participants from wetting a line, the session was extremely well attended and proved highly valuable, with plenty of practical tips, techniques, and shared knowledge exchanged with attendees. The clinic was a strong reminder that fishing is as much about learning and community as it is about what ends up on the scales.
RPIAC encourages participation in recreational angling and welcomes newcomers to learn more about participation in the club’s activities. RPIAC offers complimentary membership to children, aged 16 and under, so they can develop skills and an awareness of sustainable and responsible angling.
The presentation of the weekend competition results was brief due to the limited number of catches, but anglers and supporters were treated to a warm and welcome roasted chicken dinner, with special thanks extended to Bakers Delight Cowes again, for their generous sponsorship.
The Squidgies Mixed Bag competition was uncontested this weekend, as was the Junior Weight competition. However, the Junior Points competition was won by the reigning Junior Club Champion, Denver Firth, who weighed in an impressive King George whiting worth 1288 points (460 grams). In the senior categories, Tenille Preddice claimed the Senior Female Points competition with a mackerel worth 357 points (255 grams), while Duncan Firth took out the Senior Male Points competition with a cracking King George whiting worth 1904 points (680 grams). The Senior Female Weight competition was uncontested, but the Senior Male Weight prize was won by James Nicolaci, the reigning RPIAC Male Club Champion, with a snapper weighing 840 grams.
The Secret Weight prize was awarded to John Wright, who also caught the first bream of the competition season, weighing 340 grams, closest to the secret weight of 431 grams. The Gamefish, Shark and Squid/Cuttlefish competitions were also uncontested.
None of the RPIAC Extraordinary Catch Incentives were claimed during this competition, meaning all remaining members-only, competition-weekend $1000 first-to-catch prizes remain banked. These prizes are for eligible species that meet or exceed the nominated weight: King George whiting (1000 grams), Snapper (10.0 kilograms), Gummy Shark (20.0 kilograms), Mulloway (25.0 kilograms) and Kingfish (25.0 kilograms).
While the easterly winds may have kept catches to a minimum, the weekend still highlighted the strength of the RPIAC community, with strong engagement, valuable learning opportunities, and exciting announcements for the season ahead. The RPIAC clubroom is located adjacent to the Rhyll boat ramp and is open to members and visitors on Fridays (from 5 pm) and competition weekends coinciding with weigh in. The next RPIAC angling competition is scheduled for the weekend of 31 January and 1 February, with members hopeful for more favourable winds and better fishing conditions. There are still many opportunities to take part in the scheduled angling competitions and compete for comp-weekend prizes and the club championships. For further information about the club, events, competitions, and rules, please visit the website: www.rpiac.com
