17/1/09 - ABT/Hobie Kayak Bream Tournament - Hen & Chicken Bay

Finally the wait was over! History was in the making and it was absolutely sensational to see 43 yakkers turn up. I'm sure there'd have been a few more entrants if that 'slight' breeze had stayed away. Talk about testing weather.

Hobie had organised free drinks for all and I'm sure all anglers were impressed and they quickly realised that this was going to be a fantastic day. The debrief was held at 5:45 am and at 6 am we were off. Our target species - Bream - with a two bag limit and they must be a minimum of 25 cms to the fork to be eligible. Lure and fly only and no trolling.

I had a few plans up my sleeve and when I noted the wind direction, I headed into Exile Bay hoping to pick up a couple over the weed beds. I started off with a Gulp 2" shrimp in Banana, rigged on a 1/20th jighead with 4lb leader. I'd cast with the wind and slowly lift the lure and let it drop back, keeping an eye on my line for a take at any stage. I landed my first at 6:20am but Aaarrggh, only 24 cms so back she goes. Ten minutes later I get another that's 21 cms then straight after that I get one that's bang on 25! Beauty, I'm on the board.

Great camaraderie was the order of the day as there were about eight or nine of us all fishing away and chatting and generally having a ball (as much as could be had with the 20-25 knot gusts, anyway.) An hour later (after another three just undersize), I get one that's 26 cms and that's my bag. This guy fell to a TT Switchblade in gold. Time to upgrade.

I moved off to the marinas and found another dozen or so yakkers trying to get out of the wind. Thirty meters in front of me I see Gary C hook up and it's a cracker that looked about 40 cms to me. Lots of well dones from everyone nearby but as soon as he was out of earshot it was 'You lucky bastard!' All in good jest, mind you and it was great to see some quality fish being landed.

I moved about a bit and managed flatties, whiting, flounder and more undersize bream but that was it for me. Heading home into the wind was fun...NOT, and I stayed relatively dry until I jumped out of the yak at the beach, stood on a slippery rock and went A over T as Steve from Hobie was taking photos. I hope he didn't get that shot!

The weigh-in was great and I think all realised how exciting a live weigh-in is and when Wayne brought up his two thumpers, you should have heard the "Oohs and Ahhs' from the crowd. Kraley was leading up until then, too. Wayne took the first place out easily and all from a Hobie Sport. Go the Sports!

Everyone at this stage was chatting away and it was great to walk up and down the beach and see how others have pimped their yaks. The set-up from Hobie and ABT and Sailing Scene was sensational and the professionalism really shone through with a smooth, fun event had by all. Big thanks to Steve, Steve, Paul and of cause Bazoo, who graciously decided to give us all a chance and stayed on shore looking after the BBQ.

I had a chat with Steve Morgan from ABT afterwards and he was wrapped with the turnout. He said that normally for a first off series they get about 20 entrants, so to have over double that amout was superb. Another interesting fact he revealed was that the average size of bream from the Ausopen held just before this event was 550 grams while us yakkers (being the supremely better anglers ) averaged 610 grams.

I can only see this as being the beginning of great things for the Kayak Tournament Scene. Before we know it, we'll have our own AFC style show with Bream, Bass and Barra (how good would that be) rounds on prime time TV. And we were all there at the start of it. Congratulations to all involved (especially the top 5 that had great bags which included Scott that now has bragging rights! ) and bring on the next tournament! Happy yakkin', everyone!

cheers,

Cid