Crazy weather has been all around us for the last week with some days glass, while others have been blowing 35 knots. Then of course we had that strange storm come through Friday night and dump a mass of rain across the cape.  The rain was welcomed by every local and refreshed the harsh summer ground.  It certainly stirred up the waters and made visibility difficult for those spearfishing.  However, it didn’t stop the fish from biting, especially for the fishing comp on the Saturday.

Riley's Spangled Emporer

There were 30 people that showed up to fish the Tantabiddi Camp Out.  The fun-filled competition is a great family week-end with lots of sections available for adults and children to catch fish from the shore and a boat.  Fishing the shoreline was Mark Hourn who caught and released 10 different species of fish with photographs and won the shore-based section.  In the other sections Ryan Mumford aboard Catweasel tagged the first marlin followed by Ian Huxley tagging a black marlin estimated at 180kg aboard Dickens Cider.  Although Ian didn’t take out the marlin section, he did take out the heaviest mackerel section at 10.4kg.  Junior angler Riley Smith was out with his Dad Rowan and caught many fish, to take out the junior spangled emperor section. Myron Borcz took out the heaviest spangled emperor section.

Everyone enjoyed the camaraderie around the BBQ trailer that evening and thankfully the rain did not fall as it had the night before.  The breakfast of bacon and eggs was followed by the presentation of sections thanks to Steve from Exmouth Tackle and Camping.  It was a fun time and the EGFC would like to thank all those who participated and who volunteered making salads and cleaning up.

Meanwhile, the reef fishing has been productive with many anglers reporting good catches of red emperor and gold band job fish.  Squid and octopus has been the preferred bait with a single paternoster rig using a circle hook.  The shallower waters have been producing a few rankin cod using a similar rig with a smaller running sinker depending on the current and conditions.  Those anglers chasing the really deep dwellers have been getting a few rosy snapper and large cod.  This deep sea fishing is difficult with strong currents and winds, so many people are finding it well worth while to investigate the possible influences before heading out.

Following on from last weeks record breaking yellowfin tuna another junior angler, Tayla Clatworthy, went out with dad Dirk and friends on Reel Obsession to try and catch a golden trevally to fill the vacant Australian female record on 6 kg line. On Wednesday evening Tayla weighed in a 9.7kg golden trevally which is a pending Australian female and Australian and WA junior record. Well done Tayla.

Tayla's Record Golden