Cabo Hatteras GCGFC Billfish Shootout Results

Salacia Waters Marina and Residential Complex on the Gold Coast was the setting for the Cabo Hatteras Billfish Shootout run on the weekend by the Gold Coast Game Fish Club. 23 boats battled it out for the $5,000 major cash prize, along with an extensive array of prizes and trophies on offer for the anglers.

There were 13 Billfish tagged and released over the 2 days, with one fish in particular having special relevance from the event. The event coincided with the Great Northern Gold Coast IGFA Great Marlin Race, an international tag and release event that monitors the travels of tagged billfish globally, offering valuable information to help with the management of the species. Champion Female Angler for the event Katie Ripper was fortunate to secure a Department of Fisheries tag along with the IGFA Satellite tag to her Blue marlin.

Katie and Bruce Keown aboard Castille III, owned by Mark Ripper, had a successful event taking out 2nd in the overall boat category. They weren’t quite lucky enough to take out top honours with Leigh Holtsbaum and Andrew Turner aboard Game Day taking out overall honours and the $5,000 cash prize courtesy of event major sponsors Cabo Hatteras and Game & Leisure Boats. Chad Holmes Addixion took out 3rd place with Rob Denning tagging a blue marlin and Jarrad Jones tagging a black marlin with Jarrad also earning 2nd place in the junior angler category courtesy of his black marlin, the last fish caught over the 2 days.

Champion Male Angler went to Warner Lamb aboard Akura, with his blue marlin the first fish caught in the event. Champion Junior Angler went to Aiden Cross aboard Hot Deal thanks to his Blue Marlin with Best Tagging Person taken out by Dave Williams.

“Thanks to the strength of our brands Cabo & Hatteras, it’s only fitting that we’re able to support game fishing events across Australia, and it makes sense that we’re the major sponsor of this event held in our very own backyard”, said Game & Leisure Boats Graham McCloy. “The Gold Coast Game Fish Club are great supporters of our business and they do a great job hosting this event and their Light Tackle Masters earlier in the year. To have this event involved in the important research undertaken as part of the IGFA Great Marlin Race is also a great achievement, confirming the commitment of all involved in the management and protection of this wonderful fish species”, commented McCloy.

For more information on the Cabo Hatteras Billfish Shootout visit www.gcgfc.com.au, call Game & Leisure Boats on 07 5577 5811 or visit their website www.gandlb.com.au.