The Gamakatsu Team Series North Round, sponsored by Mako, was great event for all. We had never seen the Clarence River system in such good condition, with the mid and upper parts of the system filled with bait and fish. The top five bags were all over the 3kg mark, with varying techniques and locations. Team Ballina Marineland managed to secure first place with a 3.78kg bag. They also took home the Big Bream prize with a cracking 1.24kg specimen.

Jake Stewart and Stephen Walsh, previous winners of a GTS Grand Final, are not strangers to big fish techniques and on the day decided to stick to the lower parts of the river on Middle Wall. Using the Cranka Crab thrown up against the wall and sitting still, they managed to win over the tough bite. With a bag of good fish they knew if they could get just one good fish they would be in with a chance.

Team Ballina Marineland stuck with the Middle Wall and they finally did it – not just a good fish but a cracker of 1.24kg. It kicked them to the top and got them over the line with over $1500 worth of cash and prizes for a simple day out with a mate on the water!

In second place was Team Nitro Jigheads. Using Berkley Gulps and Nitro jigheads they stuck it out at Browns Rocks to get their bag of five. Knowing that there weren’t big fish there, they decided to go back to the mouth and try their luck for a decent fish. Not too long later Matt Fraser and Ian Baker managed to land a 1.08kg specimen, and having this kicker got their bag to a solid 3.18kg and got them over $1000 in cash and prizes. 

A huge thanks goes out to the series sponsor Gamakatsu and the naming round sponsor Mako. For a full list of sponsors and any upcoming tournaments go to www.fishingcomps.com.au/gts and remember to “Support the sponsors that support your passion!” - Gamakatsu Teams Series