Angling Competition 21st-22nd September 2024
The Rhyll-Phillip Island Angling Club (RPIAC) launched its 2024/2025 angling season with a thrilling weekend-long competition, held from midnight on Friday, September 20th, through Sunday, September 22nd. Despite the windy and cloudy weather, the event saw enthusiastic participation from anglers of all ages. The thought of early Spring catches and the lure of snapper season continues to both motivate and frustrate keen anglers.
Over the weekend, a total of 20 fish were weighed in, including snapper, King George whiting, flathead, trevally, and a shark. There are 12 weekend competitions this season, and all RPIAC members are eligible to participate. All junior anglers who participate receive complementary membership to RPIAC, allowing them to compete for prizes and the club championships in the Squidgie (anglers aged 9 or younger) and Junior (anglers aged 10 to 16) categories.
The RPIAC also hosted an Open Day on Sunday, featuring a Fishing Car Boot Sale to raise funds for Junior and Squidgie anglers, and a sausage sizzle sponsored by Bakers Delight in Cowes. The event was well attended, adding a lively social aspect to the competition weekend.
In the Squidgies Mixed Bag Points Competition, brothers Byron and Harley Griffin, reigning RPIAC Squidgie Club Champions, tied for first place. Each brother caught one fish worth 20 points, showcasing their budding angling skills. The Junior Weight Competition was won by Zachary Gomm with an impressive snapper weighing 2155 grams. Meanwhile, Denver Firth, the reigning RPIAC Junior Club Champion, secured the Junior Points Competition with a flathead worth 591 points (295 grams).
In the Senior Male Heaviest Weight Competition, Michael Stefanakis emerged victorious with a snapper weighing 5885 grams. Carrianne Peatey won the Senior Female Heaviest Weight Competition with a snapper weighing 2305 grams. Michael Smart claimed the Senior Male Points Competition with a King George whiting worth 1582 points (565 grams), while Kate Jinnette won the Senior Female Points Competition with a King George whiting worth 1288 points (460 grams).
Alex Bowden took home the prize in the Shark Competition with a gummy shark weighing 2625 grams. The Game Fish and Squid/Cuttlefish Competitions were uncontested this time around. The Secret Weight Prize was awarded to Trevor Gleeson for a trevally weighing 705 grams, with the secret weight being 1495 grams. After the presentations, anglers and supporters were treated to a meal of pizza and salads. Special thanks to everyone who helped out on the day.
None of the RPIAC Extraordinary Catch Incentives were claimed, and the members-only, competition weekend, $1000 first-to-catch prizes for senior competitors stay banked. The incentives up for grabs are for eligible species that equal or exceed the nominated weight and include King George Whiting (1000 grams), Snapper (10.0 kilograms), Gummy Shark (20.0 kilograms), Mulloway (25.0 kilograms), and Kingfish (25.0 kilograms).
This season also marks the introduction of a brag mat/catch and release system for snapper, allowing anglers to enter snapper in the competition with photographs of their catch, which they prefer to release. The RPIAC clubrooms are open on Friday nights from 5 pm, providing a great opportunity for members to gather and share their fishing stories. For more information about RPIAC and events, visit www.rpiac.com.
The RPIAC’s first competition of the season was a resounding success, setting a positive tone for the upcoming angling events. Congratulations to all the winners and participants!
