Dave Irvine Memorial Snapper Classic

[Physhopath]

It was a great w/end with plenty of beers, laughs & stories told.
Imagine what a great time we would have if the weather played nice.

Was good to see more kayakers this year, I could only manage a handful of red rock cod over the two days.

The launch

Mmm white water

The Kayak Winners,

Winners

Sunday morning we gave it another crack, this time out a bit wider. Not a great start – wind was up - and Danny hooked an 85kg brute, but wrong species for the comp. He didn’t catch’n’release, and decided to take his catch back with him (after he finished fishing for snapper).

Sunday morning didn't work out to well for me, felt something weird on my leg, looked down bloody hell there's a jig head in me leg, gave it a little tug but it was in past the barb. So I cut away my tights had a quick look & decided at first to leave it there & continue fishing, but as I kept peddling it was swinging around a bit so I pushed it through, squashed the barb & ripped it back out.

Ouch

Didn't really enjoy my morning after that so I headed in closer for some more casts, then decided to head back in for a hot cup of milo.

[MrX]

“You got jipped Tom.

You was robbed mate”

Nah, had a ball, and the boys on the podium managed excellent photos (Dell on the AI tramp, and Butts in the back of the outback).

The committee was pretty clear about the rules, and their decision would be final: http://deep.deepseafishingclub.com.au/files/2012/05/DIMSC-Rules.pdf

Bushy pointed out at the briefing that the committee had been doing it for years, so they had seen it all before. I’d bet this was the first time any competitor tried to enter a fish perched on his lap.

This is only the second time yaks have been allowed in the comp, and I figure we still have a few things to work on to compete. Next time, I’ll be better prepared. (DIY will include a few brag mat stabilisers - with obligatory pool noodle, cable ties, & PVC).

“What bait or lure did the damage?”

Cast and retrieve lures only Jim, and I hooked both mine on the light gear that I use on the little reds we find up here - 12lb, 2-4kg rod, 2500, 5cm plastic, ¼ jighead, 3/0. (Paid the price on the first one)

“and the drive back to Sydney? Well, let's say that wasn't fun at all!”

Yep, Bunsen/Stevie, my head hurt too, we figured out what the “F” stands for in the “F3”.

Danny, that photo made me cry.

[sbd]

Nice work Tom, shame about the photo. We'll slay 'em next year.

Danny, have you thought about using blunt hooks? Ouch!

[solatree]

Great fish Tom ! Well done. I'd love to get a 70+ snap - and nice piercing Danny - ouch !

[worleybird]

It was great to see so many yaks there, especially with such dodgy weather in the lead up. A great weekend even if I did fish for 14 hours to get zero fish. A bit of wild weather but congrats to everyone for making the trip and getting out in marginal conditions. Congrats to the place getters and also to Tom for catching a fish that should have got him in there somewhere if the fish had of not been so camera shy.

We were talking about the photo issue at work today and we thought it would be a good idea for the yakkers to think about a cheap and easy solution to making up a brag mat board of some kind that guys could make for a sturdy snapper photo surface.

All in all can't wait till next year.

Stephen

[yaqdoq]

Aaaargh !
Frustrating on so many levels .
In the weeks leading up to the comp the weather was perfection !
It was good to see so many "foreign" yakkers turn up , this bodes very well for the future of the comp .
Well done to all .
Will see ya off- shore here or there doing my thing.
Apropos doing my thing , I knew the grounds - but alas finally my luck has run out ( but what a run it has been !)or at least hiccuped .
Again - if any one is down here for a fish come drop a line with me.
Ta

[johnny]

Coffs is a beautiful spot where warm north meets cold south in the weather...wish it was closer ....top fishing!

[Stevie]

I didnt get any decent footage over the weekend, but here a little from around Muttonbird on Sunday. Rough!
You might notice Bunsen further in near the island when the camera comes around.