Australian Anglers Association, (WA Division) Inc.

2008/2009 State Boat Angling Championships.

Report on the annual AAA State Boat Championships run on Saturday the 21st March 2009, sponsored by Club Marine, All Boat Business, Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club, Hillary’s Boat Shop and hosted by the Hillarys Yacht Club

The competition was run with light Easterly Winds on land but an 11knot Southerly at Rotto with a 2.5m swell that looked good from the shore but, made for a difficult day in the water with sharp waves, but got better as the day went on which made it easier for those that travelled South to get back for the end of day “festivities”.

The Hillary’s Yacht Club (HYC) Volunteers provided the heart starters for the day, by having tea and coffee with Bacon and Egg burgers at the Hillarys Boat Ramp, and those that had either thick heads from “preparing” for the day and having precomp drinks the night before certainly welcomed the food, this certainly was appreciative also by the Hillary’s Yacht Club knowing that the AAAWA allowed host clubs to also benefit from the event financially.

The forecast of 13 to 20 knot South Easterly winds with a building 4 metre swell (that thankfully did not eventuate) then swinging around to the South West had already happened offshore so those at the start of the comp who fished for the smaller species, were able to pull up on the Northern side of the Marina up close to shore and catch a number of herring and whiting.

At around 8.30am to 9.30am most boats ventured out into the deeper water and started catching other targeted fish. The Southerly created an uncomfortable fishing platform and all had to work hard for the fish that was caught. The Radio was relatively quite which normally indicates that the fishing was slow.

A few good fish were caught in Shallow water (which a hint to a few was given), but as indicated it was difficult work, at about 12 noon most of the boats zipped around to all their favourite spots catching a varied range of species, albeit nothing too big.

Whilst competitors were “out there” in there favourite spots, Graham & Noleen Weymouth HYC, John O’Brien who used to be the Chairman of the Boating Sub and enticed me in to helping many years ago, (so you have him to blame), set up the presentation and the weigh in area and it looked magnificent, the juniors had their mouths open in awe at the tackle packs.

There was a multitude of people from the HYC that did not fish and prepared the “refreshment” areas, much to the appreciation of all competitors, we know they get paid for what they do but they did go over and beyond on the day, thank you all.

At the closing time for the Bags (4.30pm) most boats had either got their boats on their trailers or were waiting to, and the Field Day Officer Graham Weymouth, ensured that the door was shut at exactly 1630hrs, and the girls from the Ocean reef Sea Sports Club headed by Carmel Langdon, continued taking in the skippers safety discs, this was to ensure that all were safely back on land, there was 220 competitors and 85 boats that participated.

The weigh in was held at the Hillarys Yacht Club. The weigh in commenced at 5.30pm, in the car park area at the club, in a Pan deck trailer provided for by Lazzas Hiab and Tilt tray services, all the signage made for a great spectacle.

The MC for the weigh in was Glen Omond and provided a running commentary, with a great deal of good humour and light hearted banter, albeit I was the brunt of a fair bit of it. The weigh in went reasonably well knowing that one set of scales failed and would you believe a brand new set, with the resilience of those on the scales we got through albeit it did add about 1.5hrs to the weigh in; again we would be lost without those assisting on the day, you juniors for running the score cards and assisting the competition officer with the collation, thank you, we need you guys to get up there and give us “oldies” a run for our money at these comps, I should be careful saying that as the competition officers son was one of them and he won the juniors event.

The HYC provided refreshments and an evening meal for all, I’m sure all that had partaken in the meals and refreshments enjoyed the evening, we actually ate them out of everything, mainly due to the late finish of the weigh in, so next year Mandurah I am sure will learn from this

The presentation was MC’d by our effervescent ORSSC member and Competition Officer in Terry Bell, and with the banter as always between “rival” clubs, made for an excellent evening.

Look forward to seeing you all next year.

Pat Shinnick President of the Australian Angers Association WA

Results

Individual Results

Mens Team Results

Veterans Team Results

Ladies Team Results

Juniors Team Results

Heaviest of Species

Patron's Cup



Copyright © 2009 Australian Anglers Association, (WA Division) Inc.

This page last updated 24 March 2009.