2002 Broome Billfish Classic

Hot action on the back deck of FAD II during the Broome
Billfish Tournament

After a somewhat controversial decision to move the dates of the competition, the Broome Billfish Tournament was held between 14^th and 20^th of September this year.  Weather conditions at the start were uncharacteristically blustery, developed into Easterlies in excess of 40kts, which prompted cancellation for that one day, and evolved into perfect tropical sleeky-calm seas on the last day.   The elements of luck and weather always add that tantalising unpredictable chance!

Seventeen teams presented themselves for the calcutta, where bidding was lively.  An additional 9 boats entered in the comp-within-a-comp: the one-day Brian ‘Fatty’ Albert Memorial Trophy.

The tournament is strictly tag and release.  All fish counted must have an estimated weight of 10kg or above, and all tags and poles conform to GFAA regulations.  Briefing night includes instruction in best practice.  Competition scoring awards 500 points for sailfish, and 1000 points for marlin.  Broadbill swordfish are unlikely to be encountered as lines-in time extends only from 7am to 4pm.

Last year’s winners REEL GIRLS, Jeni Lerch,Tracey Rushford, and Sara Hennesey, invited as their fourth team-member Kelly Pummeroy.  Kelly is better known as the travel expert on the Today Show than as a game-fishing angler, but her enthusiasm made up for lack of experience.  Over the 4 days of competition this year the REEL GIRLS tagged 47 sails and 2 marlin, including 9 sails for Kelly.  REEL GIRLS, aboard ‘Fad 2’ skippered by Ross Newton, with a total score of 25500 points were overall champions tagging seven fish more than their closest rivals, TEAM YAMAHA aboard ‘Backlash,’ skippered by Kevin Blatchford.

The Brian ‘Fatty’Albert MemorialTrophy went to John Bone, Tony Moore, Dave Cole, and Dave McCosh aboard ‘Boss’ skippered by Tony Houston.  They tagged 16 sails, with John Bone champion angler for the day.  Runners up were REEL GIRLS.

The winning team!!! Tracey, Sam (Decky), Jeni, Ross (Skipper), Sara
and Kelly

In the billfish tournament champion large boat went to TEAM YAMAHA aboard ‘Backlash’ with team members Pam Blatchford, Steve Chambers, Rob ‘Bulldog’ Locke and Steve Wockner, skippered by Kevin Blatchford.  TEAM YAMAHA’s final score was 22000 points, which included a marlin caught by Pam Blatchford.

Champion small boat went to the ecstatic team who dragged their boat ‘XTSEA’ all the way from Melbourne for a total of 13500 points from 27 fish tagged.  It’s great to see winners and grinners who have put such effort into mere attendance at the starting line!

A special encouragement award went to the blokes aboard ‘REELFAST’ Mick Magowan, Karl Scholte and Peter Bright, with a score of 3000 in their first try at targeting sailfish.

Individual awards were as follows: champion male Rob Locke 13 sails equalling champion female Tracey Rushford.  Champion junior Deena Blatchford; champion senior Jeff May.

Great to see boats and teams from further down the WA coast as well, like OCEAN PEARL, who scored 4000.  This year a second all-female team, calling themselves UNREEL GIRLS, joined the contest, ending with 5500 points.

 The local Broome Fishing Club again extends a cordial invitation to all Eastern, Northern and Southern states fishing enthusiasts to join in next year’s Billfish Tournament.  Considering the number of fish raised this year, as well as in previous years, and the rub, the irritation, the gall of the win, again, by an all female team it is anticipated that next year’s event will be engulfed by outsiders.  What about it, fellahs?