Angling Competition 2nd & 3rd March 2024
Yarr matey! Success and celebration for anglers
The weather forecast leading up to the 10th Rhyll-Phillip Island Angling Club (RPIAC) angling competition, held on the 2nd and 3rd of March, left many anglers unsure and onshore. Despite a bit of a challenge from the winds, anglers across each category showcased exceptional talent and determination. That said, there was still considerable cause for celebration onshore as an esteemed RPIAC life member, Len Bates, celebrated his 80th birthday with family and friends throughout the weekend. It’s likely that those who hear “yarr matey” at the clubrooms will start looking for pirates, although there is a possibility that it’s Len announcing his age (I’m eighty).
There was no real formula for success, as some anglers transformed fishing into catching, and others worked harder to turn a reel. Overall, there was a respectable number of eligible species presented at weigh-in, including King George whiting, snapper, flathead, trevally, mackerel, pike, and a shark. A total of 40 fish and 1 shark were weighed-in over the weekend and the Club Captain, Chris Leonardos, were entertained by the variety of stories and species.
None of these $1000 first-to-catch prizes offered in the season’s RPIAC Extraordinary Catch Incentives were claimed this weekend. With 2 more competitions remaining in the 2023/2024 season, the members only incentives, for eligible species caught on competition weekends, stay banked. Angling members remain optimistic about the possibilities for catching an eligible species that equals or exceeds 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).
RPIAC encourages all anglers to develop skills and awareness of sustainable and responsible angling and welcomes young anglers to engage in their angling competitions, offering complementary membership to children aged 16 and under. Participation involves bringing eligible species, caught during the competition weekend, to weigh-in at the RPIAC clubroom between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm on Saturday and/or Sunday. At Sunday’s competition conclusion a post-competition presentation celebrates the camaraderie and outstanding efforts of all angling members and supporters. Roast chicken, scalloped potatoes and salad fed this weekend’s attendees, followed by some delicious slice delights.
The Squidgie Mixed Bag Points competition, for anglers aged 9 and under, was a close contest and opportunities to participate in the last few competitions are still available. Harley Griffin caught 3 fish, worth 55 points to finish the weekend in second place, whilst Saige Nicolaci caught 3 fish, worth 60 points to take out first place. The Junior competition, for anglers aged 10 to 16, was dominated by Gus Fahnle, and RPIAC’s reigning Junior Champion, Denver Firth. Gus weighed in with a snapper that was 705 grams, to claim the Junior Weight competition. Denver took out the Junior Points competition with a King George whiting worth 1582 points (565 grams).
The Senior Heaviest Weight competitions were won by Albert Abram and Carrianne Peatey, each weighing in a pinky snapper, of 1445 grams and 1105 grams, respectively. The Senior Points competitions were won by RPIAC’s reigning Club Champions Duncan Firth and Kate Jinnette. Duncan had the best King George whiting of the weekend, worth an impressive 1652 points (590 grams), whilst Kate scored 1386 points (495 grams), which was a very reasonable catch. With no entries in the squid/cuttlefish competition only 2 possibilities for a prize remained: In the Shark competition, Trevor Gleeson, won with a cleaned gummy shark, weighing 3485 grams, and Debra Orr was awarded the Secret Weight prize for a 600-gram snapper which was closest to the secret weight (624 grams). 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 angling competition is scheduled for the weekend of the 16th / 17th of March 2023. 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
