38th FREMANTLE SAILING CLUB BLUE MARLIN CLASSIC
After a turbulent start to the 2016-17 Game Fishing year, the new Committee under the leadership of newly elected Captain Graeme Allen set about restoring the integrity of the Game Fishing Section. The year (2017) started with the inaugural Marcus Maher Season Opener being conducted although there were only a handful of boats. Rockall skippered by Michael Cullan tagged and released a magnificent est. 200kg Blue Marlin leading up to the Blue Marlin Classic. There were several sightings and 5 marlin were tagged leading us to speculate that the BMC should be successful.
After the 8.00 am shotgun start on Saturday the 4th, the fleet of 12 game boats and 50 keen Anglers roared towards the Rottnest Canyon, some 25 miles west of Fremantle. There were 6 FADS deployed along the edge of the continental shelf commonly referred to as the Rottnest Trench. The day was marred by unfavourable weather of 20 knot south westerlies. Although there were 4 strikes no Marlin were tagged.
Day 2 saw the whole fleet back out at the Trench with similar weather as the previous day. The day resulted in 3 strikes, one hook-up and several Tuna and many Mahi Mahi. Day 3 the final day seen the complete fleet out at the Trench keen to capture a Marlin, the weather was superb with 5 to 10 knot easterlies (a light land breeze). Well the day got off to a great start with Michael Agnew on his new 42' Black watch named Black Tie, tagging a Black Marlin (est. 150kg).
Shortly afterwards the game boat Geordie Girl skippered by Andrew Robinson tagged a Striped Marlin of 120kgs (est.) on 24kg tackle. Early afternoon Michael Agnew hooked up again, this time tagging a Blue Marlin (est. 180kgs). This proved to be the last Marlin tagged for the competition bringing to a conclusion a very successful Blue Marlin Classic for 2017.