So much for the plan of getting to Forster on monday afternoon and having a quick scout around to suss the area out. Sheesh! I arrived at 7:30pm and settled into my motel and got organised for the next morning. New leaders, changed a few trebles, and checked all my gear twice. I think it was about 12:30am before I got to sleep. To say my anticipation level was high was a huge understatement.5:15am saw me having my yellow Hobie Outback assigned to me. She was fully kitted out with rod leashes, livewell, etc but no 
sounder. Not really needed up here as the water is quite clear and you can see the bottom in most places anyway. It sure was impressive having all these Hobies lined in a row, ready for action. The briefing went without a hitch with the only change being a delayed start due to the lack of daylight at 6am. At 6:45am, the flag was dropped and 26 bream anglers spread out to their various locations that would hopefully hold some kicker fish.
sounder. Not really needed up here as the water is quite clear and you can see the bottom in most places anyway. It sure was impressive having all these Hobies lined in a row, ready for action. The briefing went without a hitch with the only change being a delayed start due to the lack of daylight at 6am. At 6:45am, the flag was dropped and 26 bream anglers spread out to their various locations that would hopefully hold some kicker fish.I'd decided on fishing a junction up Breckenridge Channel and about half a dozen of us ventured the same way. Conditions were almost ideal: I would've preferred a bit more cloud cover but at least there was no wind. Reaching my spot, I started off with a Gulp 2" Shrimp (Banana Prawn) rigged on a 1/20th jighead and 4lb leader. I targeted marker poles and drop-offs but I had only managed one tentative tap before reaching some washboards surrounding an Oyster Lease. I changed to an Ecogear SX40 and started casting my way round.
About 20 minutes later I hook up. "Beauty, here comes number one," I think. I land him, put him on the tape and I forlornly look skywards with a sigh. 24.8 cms... Typical. The minimum length is 25 cms, so after a quick curse, I send him back. The bites are few and far between and I'm livid when I drop a keeper after doing the hard bit of extracting him from under a jetty.
I decided to head further upstream and eventually find a nice set of racks with a few inches of water over them. I change to a Jackall Chubby (shallow diver) and start working the edges. The wind has started to pick up now and it's getting tricky casting and keeping the yak on course at 
the same time. Suddenly, Whacko! Ooh, I'm on!
the same time. Suddenly, Whacko! Ooh, I'm on! The trick to working the racks is to always be on your toes, have your drag nice and tight and get the fish in ASAP before they can get their heads down and bury you in the pylons. Of course, it doesn't always work but this guy was no trouble and I skipped him towards me easily. 23 cms and back he goes, too. Shortly after I get another that's 24 cms and I realise I'm running out of time. With an hour to go I've changed back to the 2" shrimp and YES! I get one that's a keeper. He's not a bad fish and boy, what a relief.
That was it for me and I head back thinking one isn't good enough. Back at the weigh-in, it's been a tough day all round and my one fish of 400 grams sees me sitting in 10th place. The leader is only on 980 grams for two fish, so I'm still in with a chance if I can get a big fish tomorrow.
Conditions where identical to the previous day and the first loacation saw Dave, Ken and I fishing the same flats with surface lures over only a foot of water. Lots of laughs and chatting (typical for a kayak tournament, I'm glad to say) which was only broken by Dave swearing and sobbing when busted up by a big bugga that would've seen him shoot up the rankings quite a few spots. Bad luck, Dave, it was probably a flattie anyway! : )
There was quite a bit of action but the fish were only small to start with and I figured if I wanted to give myself a good chance at getting a big bruiser, I'd get him in the racks. I left the boys and headed back to my racks from yesterday. The was a bit more water over the racks this time so I started with the Chubby. I'd cast right over the racks and hold the rod high while I twitched and wriggled the lure back to me. I figured the fish would be on top feeding and luckily I was right.
10 minutes into it, the lure is pounced on as it lands and I know straight away this is a good fish!
He shoots off to the adjacent racks but I'm quicker and throw my rod sideways to pressure him away. He darts back but I swing the rod again, all while winding furiously to keep him coming towards me. With one quick movement I grab the net and scoop him up. YES! That's what I want. I didn't measure him but he was probably about 33 cms fork length and approximately 600-650 grams. It's a good start and now all I need is a big kilo fish to put me in the running.
Only 15 minutes later I hook up again, and this guys goes 26.5 cms fork. Not big but good enough for the live well. That's my bag limit, now to upgrade. Over the next 4 hours I land another 5 bream, all legal, but none big enough to replace the two I already have. The wind picked up again, even stronger than yesterday and I knew heading back would be right into it, so I reluctantly set off, knowing that the two wouldn't be enough to grab the lead. I'd be happy just 
to hold onto my 10th place.
to hold onto my 10th place.I made it back with 2 minutes to spare and by the time I got to the tent they'd already started the weigh in. Holding top spot was Scott Lovig with a total bag of 4 fish for 2.19 kgs. Before me was the day one leader, Michael Maas. He had some nice fish too, and the crowd (and Scott) were on the edge of their seats as the scales ticked over. He needed 1.22 kgs to take it out and the crowd let out a collective sigh when the scales settled at 1.17 kgs, for a total of 2.15 kgs. So close but not good enough. My two fish weighed 1.02 kgs, so not a bad bag and enough to see me edge up to 7th place overall.
The results were tallied and finally, Scott was crowned the inaugral ABT/Hobie Australian Kayak Bream Champion. Well done, Scott. A thoroughly deserved win, a fantastic trophy and 
bragging rights for a whole year. Taking the final podium spot was Ken Raley, who'd caught all his fish on surface lures, for a 4 fish bag of 1.95 kgs. For a report on the final, including the gear used by Scott and Michael, please look at
bragging rights for a whole year. Taking the final podium spot was Ken Raley, who'd caught all his fish on surface lures, for a 4 fish bag of 1.95 kgs. For a report on the final, including the gear used by Scott and Michael, please look atThe level of professionalism shown in running these events by ABT and Hobie have set an amazing standard and the future bodes well for next years season of events. More rounds, more venues, more kayakers and more prizes will surely see our wonderful sport prosper and surely only good things will come of it. I know that I for one, can hardly wait. Happy yakkin', everyone!
Cheers,
Cid
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