SADSAA COLUMBIA BILLFISH CLASSIC 2010
By Jackie Pratt –
Tournament Secretary
The 2010 SADSAA Billfish Classic was without a doubt the most successful Tournament of its kind ever to be held in South Africa. Richards Bay is a World Class venue and the standard set at the inaugural event in 2009 attracted World Class Boats and World Class anglers, including a considerable number of Protea, SADSAA and Provincial anglers.
The Tournament was a full release event, no fish were killed and it is fantastic to see SADSAA anglers supporting this ethic and taking it back to their Clubs and Provinces, encouraging them to support the release of fish in their own events.
80 Boats set off with a spectacular mass start early on Wednesday 10 February, a light NE wind was blowing which picked up to quite fresh in the afternoon but this did not deter the majority as the Billfish were on the bite. 21 Billfish, comprising 8 Blue Marlin, 8 Black Marlin, 2 Sailfish and 3 Shortbill Swordfish were released on Day One, an excellent result again proving that Richards Bay is a World Class Bill-fishery. Three boats, namely CASPER, TRINITY and REEL MAGIC released two marlin each giving them 200 points, so the game was on.
Day Two, Thursday was a beautiful day with light variable winds and flat seas, the NE only picking up late in the afternoon so even the boats who did not catch fish reported they had a magic day at sea. Again an excellent result with 18 Billfish released, 12 Marlin, 1 Sailfish and 5 Shortbill. Ludolf bagged 200 points with 2 Marlin and Big Sea Hunter, Lady Rose and Seducer took their 2nd Marlin to join Casper, Trinity and Reel Magic; 7 boats tied at the top of the board on 200 points.
Early on Friday morning the NE wind had already started to blow but most boats decided to launch, however by 9 am the wind had really picked up and the competition was called off for the remainder of the day. Only one fish was released a Sailfish on Shumwari III.
With the competition still wide open, the guys enjoyed an afternoon of rest and no doubt lots of “meetings” to discuss team tactics as although the NE wind carried on until late Friday night the forecast was good for Saturday.
As predicted overnight the wind turned to the South and all the boats were able to launch on Saturday. With 6 boats still tied at the top of the board on 2 Marlin it was now going to come down to who caught his 3rd Marlin first or even get a 4th fish. In the case of a tie, the rules state that the boat who caught his last fish first will be the winner i.e. if 3 boats have 3 fish the first boat to catch his 3rd fish will win.
The majority of the boats stayed out right up until cut-off time at 5pm so there was quite a rush to check their photos. Ten marlin were released on Day 4 and 1 Shortbill giving an overall total of FIFTY ONE Billfish released in the Tournment. Both Trinity and Sea Ducer managed to release their 3rd marlin and I believe that right up until the last prize was announced on Saturday night, no one was absolutely certain who had won. In the end Sea Ducer caught his 3rd fish at 10.14am and Trinity his 3rd fish at 10.31am so SEA DUCER walked away with the R100,000 cheque and 17 minutes cost Trinity R50,000, a bit like lipping the cup on the last hole. Wave Walker was 3rd with 2 Marlin and a Shortbill on a time-out over 4th placed Lady Rose.
The anglers who participated in this event must be congratulated for their ethics and sportsmanship, the angling is of the highest standard and whilst having a lot of fun in a wonderful relaxed atmosphere with great camaraderie, each and every one would be worthy winners and excellent ambassadors for our great sport of Deep Sea Angling.
The winner team receive an invitation to the International Gamfishing Association Offshore World Championships which will be held in Cabo St. Lucas, Mexico in 2011 and we sincerely hope they will attend and fly the flag for South Africa.
SADSAA would like to thank our major sponsor Columbia for raising this event to the next level and in particular FOSKOR for their sponsorship of the TV coverage (the programme will be aired on Supersport shortly) and invaluable hands on assistance during the week. We would also like to thank Bass Airways, Ritchie Ford, Iland Lures, Bell Equipment, Ski-Boat Magazine, Pulsator Lures, Evinrude, Rapala, Captain Morgan, Z-Craft, H2O, BMK and Lowrance and we hope with their continued support that we can expand this event to full International status in the future.
A special thanks must also go to Richards Bay Ski-Boat Club and their committee for hosting the event and the ladies committee for the outstanding catering.
Results attached – full report will be published in the next issue of Ski-Boat magazine.
Hope to see you all again next year.
