The Port Macquarie Game Fishing Club’s thirty-third annual Golden Lure will go down as one of the most successful tournaments to date. More than two hundred anglers and 47 game boats all made Port Macquarie their home for a week. The marina was packed with boats from up and down the coast. The fishing was good with 128 marlin, one sailfish, 31 mahimahi, one yellowfin and 28 sharks, all tagged and released. Well done to all on a tremendous comp.
There was plenty of action on the water for some vessels with Calypso 3 taking out the award for Most Tagged and Released with 13 marlin. The Most Blue Marlin Tagged went to a recount and was taken out by Doghouse just pipping White Dog – sounds like a real dogfight!
Another great part of the Golden Lure week is the Tammy and Richard Kirby Ladies and Junior Day. All proceeds go to the Port Macquarie Oncology unit and there were some great captures during this event. Zac Danby fished aboard Chicka and caught a 135kg blue marlin to take out Junior Champion. Patrick Lawler from Cruel Intentions was the Junior Tag and Release winner for the day.
Kerry Anne Thompson aboard Milo got Adult Lady Capture and Hannah Wykes from Reel Trouble took out the Ladies Tag and Release. It was a great effort from all the anglers who took part in this day. Great job, skippers. Overall, it was a great event with lots of marlin and plenty of blacks caught on lures and liveys. Port Macquarie GFC would like to thank all sponsors and participating anglers who make this event a must on the gamefishing calendar.
On the local fishing front, in the more laidback atmosphere of the rivers, fishing has been quite exceptional. Flathead have been on the chew and they are some crackers as well. Most edges have been holding a few in the 30-50cm range. The odd bigger girl has been getting in on the act as well. As I always say to my clients, be prepared for a big girl. Make sure your leader to your lure is spot on every cast, even if you are only pulling smaller flatties. That bigger fish will be the one that finds any chafing in your leader!
Bass fishing has always been good at this time of year in the Maria and Wilson rivers. Surface fishing will still be our main form of attack. Tiemco soft shell cicadas have been outstanding again this year. Presentation will be important, so casting tight into the structure will be required. The results will speak for themselves!
Mulloway fishing in the rivers should also be worth a try this month, so get your vibes and bigger plastics ready and make March a month to remember. Enjoy March and its fishing. Remember, if you get a great fish pic, send an emailed copy to --e-mail address hidden--
MOST TAG AND RELEASE RESULTS
CategoryWinner
Boat 1st placeCalypso 3
Boat 2nd placeReel Trouble
Boat 3rd placeSea Baby
Adult Male | Sam Young on Calypso 3 |
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Adult Female | Debra Kemmis on Juggernaut |
Junior | Cooper Frith on Fritto 2 |
Small Fry | Rhys Jolly on Sea Baby 4 |