The coastal town of Triabunna on Tasmania’s East Coast was filled to the brim with 73 competitive boats and crews on 5-6 April. The turnout in its first year was nothing short of amazing. The Game Fishing Club of Northern Tasmania put together a sensational event.

The event’s success can also be attributed to the stunning assistance by Simrad, Evinrude and Quintrex. These companies combined with PENN Australia and put together the best prize pool Tasmania has ever seen. The generosity and acknowledgement of a coastal township that needed some help was magnificent.

The event was a massive success and the weather gods certainly looked after the organisers and competitors alike. The breathless and sunny conditions really showcased what the area has to offer in beautiful landscape and fishing. The competitive fishing fleet left the sheltered marina early on Saturday and showcased some impeccable boat handling skill.

The 73 boat field deployed their boats using a single lane boat ramp in the dark without one issue. The Triabunna Boat Club supplied a number of their members to coordinate and make sure it all ran smoothly. The boat club was just one community sector of many in the Glamorgan Spring Bay area that pulled together and helped to make the event a considerable talking point within Tasmanian fishing and boating circles.

The fleet set off after a shotgun start to their chosen fishing grounds. The flat calm conditions meant they got there in good time. The interesting thing was most didn’t know where to go. The traditional game fishing grounds for Tasmania are St Helens to the North and Eaglehawk Neck to the south. While places like Bicheno and Triabunna are smack bang in the middle, the area is not known to the majority of Tasmanian game fishers. This of course was a huge advantage to the local anglers who know firsthand the quality of fishing off Triabunna.

The competition was taken out with a very healthy 37kg southern bluefin tuna. This fish was one of three landed in a three way hook up. The crew on Blue Diamond did very well to get all three aboard. There were a number of other bluefin captures and some very good albacore weighed and tagged. The crew from Game On managed to weigh a fish on 4kg that is a pending Tasmanian record. Tag and release section was taken out by Graeme Purton, his son Damien and crewman Tarquin Newman. They fish on the Simrad sponsored vessel Bugger Work and turned over three mako sharks.

The bright sunny conditions allowed anglers to fish in comfort, really enjoy their day and there was even a marlin spotted.

The event really showcased what can be done when clubs, corporates and communities combine. The cornerstone of the event was to assist the township and create some economic stimulus, and it did indeed!

The accommodation and retail sectors were given a substantial boost by the recreational anglers. The local hotel was the place to be on Friday night and locals marvelled at the people that were at the event safety briefing. The competitors kept kitchen and bar staff very busy.

The local boat club Commodore, John Hall thanked one and all for attending and mentioned he had not seen so many people at the Hotel in 40 years. The value recreational fishers bring to local economies is being highlighted time and time again. Keep up the good work.

See you next year at Triabunna.