Another start and another explosion of yaks to various sections of the system. Andrew peeled off to the left near the boat ramp while I continued over to my spot. A few other yakkers had a similar idea (Hedgey, Peter Woods and Scott Baker just to name a few) but there was plenty of water and ample room for everyone.
I started in the 1.2m zone and quickly lost my Daiwa Double Clutch HB to something. I'd say it was probably a big tailor as there was a brief run then the line was neatly sliced in two. Swine! I changed to a Chubby and landed three bream in quick succession but they were all just under. Back to the Squidgy Wriggler for me and first cast I get a keeper. 30 to the tip, so I'm pleased with that. Back out goes the wriggler...
The next hour produced possibly the best bream session I've ever had. That 30 was swiftly followed by a 35 tip and then a 32 tip. Then another crackin' EP (they are great fighters on light line) and next cast, my first upgrade of 33 cms. The bite eased a bit and two flatties were my next victims. The wind had started to pick up a bit now so I figured the fish may move further up into the shallows. This turned out to be true and I found the fish again in the 0.9-1 meter zone.Another 33 came aboard and he was slightly fatter than the other one, so that's another upgrade. Wow! This was awesome. I had my bag by 8:50 am and it was now only 9:10 am and I'd upgraded twice. Bang, I'm on again and this guy is my best to date at 35 cms. great fishing but I'm only hoping that everyone else isn't having as good a session as me. It'll be hard to catch up if everyone weighs in a full bag again. Unless I can get that kicker fish. I really, really, REALLY need that kicker fish now.
The wind was starting to pick up (what an understatement) and soon the white caps could be seen all over the lake. I decided to start heading closer to the finish point so I turned and pushed my way through the chop.
It took me 15 minutes to get here this morning but with this wind it took me 90 minutes to get back! I tried to find some sheltered shorelines (along with everyone else) but I couldn't raise another bite. I even tried the flats in the middle of the lake for the last half hour but this was futile as well. Nothing left to do but go in and see how I went. I was sure my bag was bigger than yesterdays but it wouldn't be by much. 2.3 kgs maybe? Certainly not the 3 kg plus bag I was hoping for.On dry land my fears were realised when everyone I spoke to had got their 3 fish. Shizer! My hopes of a top 10 finish were dashed. Even top 20 would be doubtful. I bump into Andrew and he has a smug look about him and bloody hell, he has not one but TWO kicker fish. It's a great bag and it goes 2.97 kgs. This shoots him up the leader board but his day one bag let him down and he finishes in 4th place with 5.045 kgs. Brilliant stuff. The eventual winner was the day one leader, Shane Taylor. He smashed it again and weighed in 2.98 kgs for a final weight of 6.165 kgs, the only bag over 6 kilos. 2nd place went to Richard Somerton (the AOY for 2012) with 5.75 kgs and 3rd was taken out by Scott Lovig with 5.14 kgs.
And me? My bag went 2.285 kgs and with a total of 4.285 kgs I creep up a few places to 23rd place. And so ends another year of bream tournaments. The scene is getting bigger and better every year and the calibre of fisho's is truly amazing. It's hard to pick who will win a comp nowadays as so many potential winners are fishing each round. Next year is gonna be fantastic!
I'd like to thank Hobie and Steve Fields and the ABT for being the backbone of these competitions and really putting in the hard yards so we have these rounds to travel to and fish. Then there are all the other sponsors such as Daiwa, Lowrance, Frogleys Offshore, Pure Fishing, Ecogear, Jurofishing and Hogs Breath whose support helps make this all possible. Without these guys a national kayak competition would be non-existent. And just in case I don't get a report up in the next few days, please have a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. Happy yakkin', everyone!
cheers,
Cid
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