Whitsunday Anglers Gear Up for Heavy Tackle

200 kg Blue Marlin tagged and ready for release. Photo supplied: Ashley Moore

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Contributed with thanks by Ashley Moore

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After a hugely successful Light Tackle Tournament, Whitsunday Game Fish Club members are bringing out the big rods and reels in a quest to catch that fish of a lifetime in the WGFC Heavy Tackle Tournament November 19^th - 22^nd.

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Competing vessels will meet at the Anchorage at Stucco Reef, 75 nautical miles northeast of Airlie Beach, for a registration and briefing at 6pm on Thursday 19th.

2 days of exciting Game Fishing for Black and Blue Marlin will start at 7am on Friday 20^th and finish at 6pm on Sat 21^st.

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Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, Yellowfin and Dogtooth Tuna, etc., will make up a welcome by-catch and maybe a tasty meal or two.

All boats will return to Stucco Reef on Saturday evening to swap stories of their encounters and enjoy the Presentation breakfast on Sunday morning at the reef before returning to Airlie, although if the weather is favourable a couple of boats may stay another day or two.

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The Tournament is fished to GFAA rules and regulations, open line class, and using baits or lures, all baits are to be rigged with non-offset circle hooks only, and J hooks may be used in lures.

Black Marlin migrate along the outside of the Barrier Reef at this time of year and Blues feed out a little further and if a few big fish can be caught and tagged researchers may get some important information into the movements of these great sportfish.

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A few members have fished wide of the Reef over the years with some success but this is the Clubs first Heavy Tackle Tournament and hopefully the forerunner for future events.

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For more information go to www whitsundaygfc.com.au

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