JUST AS the BASS Series has a stepping-stone level to the Pro Series via the BASS Electric events, the BREAM events now have an entry level where you can come along with your own boat and own team and try it.

The first Come And Try It (CATI) event is scheduled for Caloundra on July 19 and 20, and is a tournament unlike any other organised by ABT. The CATI is a team event that aims to encourage participation from everyone. Teams can consist of one member, two members or more, and teams can fish one day or both days to vie for the Champion Team trophy or the $500 Big Bream prize.

Based out of the Caloundra Power Boat Club, the CATI will bring together many of bream angling’s most respected names, as well as those wanting to learn more about the sport. In this friendly and open tournament, information will be shared and tactics to improve your bream spinning can be discussed. So it’s up to you to make up your team, fish with your mates and compete in a relaxed environment while enjoying the hospitality of the Caloundra Power Boat Club.

Fishing is in the calm water areas of the Pumicestone Passage and attached waterways, and anglers can only cast and retrieve lures or flies to bag their fish. All fish must be kept alive in a functioning live well or aerated esky, and only live fish will count towards each team’s bag. All fish will be released as soon as they are weighed and any fish that dies will not be counted for bag weights.

Entry fees have been kept to a minimum to ensure everyone can fish, with $30 per team for pre-entries and $50 per team for pay on the day. Between a team of three, that’s only $10 each to enjoy the spoils offered by Caloundra and the Pumicestone Passage.

BREAM briefings are usually held on the Friday night before an event, and although there’s only the pre-fishing briefings in the mornings, we’re taking the Friday night as an opportunity to get together at the Caloundra Powerboat Club, have a meal, and listen to some advice from some of the best breamers in the business. Tim Morgan and Trent Butler will be on stage to present an hour-long talk on bream luring at 8pm. Entry, of course, is free, so come down, have a meal and pick up some tips for the weekend’s fishing.

Get in early and sign up before the last mail on Thursday 17 July and experience tournament fishing in a very social way. Call Stephen Booth with further enquiries on (07) 3268 3992 b/h. – ABT.