Tournament Review – Murray Olden 23rd April 2013
Hi all Fisho’s,
It’s very pleasing to be able to report this year’s “Halco Lures, Abrolhos Island Game Fishing
Tournament” was the best yet.
The most boats (20), the most marlin tagged, The most light tackle game fish tagged, the
best weather (over 6 days), The best feedback from the anglers and skippers fishing.
You can’t get better than that!
We had 4 boats that have fished Cairns giant black marlin before plus 4 local cray fishing
skippers in their de- registered commercial boats or similar.
There were 3 smaller centre console boats competing as well using “Big Pigeon Island” as
their base. Perth game boats and Local game boats.
All in all, just about the biggest cross section of boats and fishing backgrounds you would
find anywhere - in any world game fishing tournament!
All Billfish were caught in the North of the Abrolhos groups. This is also a first as traditionally
they are caught south, so many surprizes and many variables to make it a very interesting
event in which we just keep learning more every time we go out!
It’s also the first time a professional cray fishing crew has caught a marlin in a tournament
over here. Local Legend “Spags” and son Kody complete with crew of local deckies caught 2
blue marlin, one estimated at 300 kg. In doing so, kept the experienced Game fisherman on
their toes.
Neil Patrick on Safari also caught a Blue estimated at 300kg, One of 2 for Neil who kept the
leaders nervous as always!
There were about 6 sailfish raised with Graeme Maunder the only person to hang onto one
on 4 Kilo line class allowing him to take out a couple of prizes.
All were hooked up while chasing light game so gives some food for thought next year to
start targeting these spectacular fish!
Local Boat Balek 3 continued their stella run, catching 3 blues and a striped Marlin. One on
the last day that allowed him to pinch the Champion boat prize off “The Force”. (2 former
Cairns boats).
Young Daniel Mandosio has been deckying for a few years now and entered with his centre
console and caught the absolute scales off the light tackle species. With one decky short he
still managed Champion Angler Light Game! Well done Daniel.
The presentation night was held on “Big Pigeon Island” Wallaby Group with a lot of good will
and jovial banter between the Local Professionals and the amateur game fisherman. There
were many others from visiting boats joining in just wanting to be part of a very special
event!
A big thankyou to Sean Robson who virtually single handily ran this event. A hell of a task
that takes its toll on you! Unfortunately Sean is leaving the country and may not be back for
Tournament Review – Murray Olden 23rd April 2013
next year, so there will be a notice going out shortly to have a meeting in Geraldton to start
planning the clubs and the tournaments future!
We need feedback, new ideas and new blood!!
Those locals that participated in it this year will be called upon to join us in that meeting
plus the others in this email blog!
I look forward to seeing you all there when it is announced!
Attached are some of the many great Pics taken and a poem I wrote as a bit of fun that
included the boat names and some of the characters that made the event an absolute Hoot!
Enjoy and start planning for a monster event next year. You guys that read these emails and
wish you were here, start getting serious because you are missing out on heaps!! 
Winners List
Most Points Tuna………………….Mike Roennfeldt…….. Mandalay
Most Points Mackerel…………..Stewart Nicolson…….. Allure
Champion Angler Light Game ..Daniel Mandosio……. Topless
Champion Boat Light Game…………………………………… Mandalay
Champion Angler Billfish ………Graeme Maunder……. Fire Island
Highest Point Scoring Billfish… Graeme Maunder…… Fire Island
Champion Boat Billfish………………………………………….. Balek 3
Billfish Details:
Blue Marlin
Strikes………19
Tagged……..13
Striped Marlin
Strikes………1
Tagged……..1
Sail fish
Strikes ……..6
Tagged……..1
Light tackle… a total of 260 were tagged over 9 species between mostly 4 boats.
Sean Robson weighed a pending State yellowfin record on 4 kg.
Until next time, (Hopefully early-Mid May)
Cheers and Salty ears,
Muzza
0429939704
Tournament Review – Murray Olden 23rd April 2013
Abrolhos Poem
Abrolhos Island Game fishing Tournament 2013
Johnno has arrived in his Queste for Glory. After the first day he found just that
with the Ocean Keys to the first Blue of the tourney.
Ian and Coota might be green on Hombre but Ian still has to stop Coota from
throwing the grapple at the fish keeping up the practice of his normal day!
Organised a night at Little Rat hall with Charlie, Tapio and Lorraine bringing us
back to the times when it was the normal way!
Nuggets Elway, after a Fire Island in the engine room is now back on the
Leuwin Highway. Sean the TC is on Gun Island, Stick Island, Rat Island, Fire
Island, struth every bloody Island!
On Irene 2 I believe the policy for local Legend Spags is:… Shag-em, then Tagem and bag-em!!!.... Kody agrees!
Perrenial Dhuey catcher Black Swan was sighted far away from his shallow
reefs. The fleet was worried Steve would be lost in the deep sea so guided him
home to change his briefs.
Clarky is Still Chopping Up lobster and threatens to put him in the cray pot if
he drops a fish one more time!
Pete was back with his merry men on Balek 3. After a great lead up run he was
rightfully confident to achieving a win. He managed a few tags but had to work
hard for his crew were just too full of sin!
Neil “The Godfather” Patrick is back with his seasoned crew on Safari 2 still
looking for another Hatrick of Abrolhos Blue.
The Galley bitch had a night at the wallaby bar, he had a mere cleavage perv at
the lovely Mandy. This gave him the Innervisions to go Topless, stuff the
cooking and prance the deck very randy!
On Jude the lads are back, Mark, Bronk, Winora Jim and Marty. After a day on
the briney catching their first Abrolhos Marlin the main aim is to start the
Party!
By Nine O’clock the crew are left with nothing but Blind Vision!!
Tournament Review – Murray Olden 23rd April 2013
Chaddy’s back as well catching a mighty blue! He must have thought he was
struck down by Blue Lightning 3 times when Mort needed his Heart Starter at
six in the morning!
Nat was again solo doing his masterful waving of the wand on K2. Many a fish
he can pull from the brolhos reefs, carrying the pride of the Pidgeon crew!
The Halco factory was out of hibernation with Mike and Ben. The Mandalay
team perform magnificently in shallow waters with the Allure of Justin and
Cam their discarded Men!
Now, this man Ray had a fantastic Tournament. So…To the Wallaby family…
The bar staff…. The 4 cray fishing skippers and their crews…The crews and
skippers from Perth and afar! the local crews I ask? MAY…. THE FORCE, THE
FORCE, THE FORCE be with you!!!
Good Night!!
Murray Olden
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