Thread: Esperance Deep Sea Angling Classic

The annual Esperance Deep Sea Angling Classic was run yesterday 08/03/2009. It was a great day with about 98 boats and crew competing from all over WA. The day started off at 0400am with inspections by the DPI and launching of boats either into Bandy Creek Harbour or Esperance Bay via Taylor Street Boat Ramp pre dawn. The event started about 0645am when light was sufficient. 98 boats storming off to their favourite haunt to try and catch the elusive prize winning fish. Boats were followed out by a helicopter taking photos of the armada and individual boats and crews.
The weather was magnificent in the morning with little swell and a gentle N/E breeze. In the afternoon the breeze turned S S/E and came up to about 12 knots with a 2 metre swell, which slowed small boats like us making the return journey (clocking in with 15 minutes to spare).
We had a good day for us. We threw back approx 20 Wrasse, 12 Slimy Rock Cod and 2 Western Blackfish. We caught and kept a couple of sand whiting, 2 snook (did not have time to trawl for more on the return as we were aout of time and the snook were following us and visible in the water), 3 large Sweep, a Nanagai, Herring, Skippy and a 15kg Western Groper. Our first and that took a team effort.
For our troubles we took out heaviest snook caught and pocketed a few bills in prize money. My skippers first win in 9 odd years in the classic and well deserved (only 2 off us on the boat).
Was interesting for the public who do not do much fishing at the weigh in as there were most varieties of fish caught including 5 hammerhead sharks.
Will post some pics when I can if I can get some, but have the fish on ice so wil be heading over to fillet them shortly.
For those of you interested the Albany Classic is being held on the 19th of April I think.
Cheers
Craig

Originally Posted by BMKal

What's the DEC inspection for Craig ??

Whoops should have read DPI.

Me rushing again, Gary will be real happy I called him DEC.
Boat sea worthy inspections, Epirb current, Skippers Tickets and Boat Rego.