Two Utes Wins Marlin Tournament

[twoutes]

70th Jess Sams Anniversary Gamefishing Tournament.

Jess Sam's family where pioneers in the Ulladulla, N.S.W region. On Feb 27th 1938, she captured a 330lb Striped Marlin on 130lb class line, and still holds women's world record.She was taking part in a nation wide fishing contest with 580 anglers from Australia and overseas. Jess won the trophy for heaviest catch.
Oh yeh, she caught it on an underhand reel with 300 yards of linen line, and a cane rod.
They drove the fish on the roof of their car to Jervis Bay, in the early hours of the next morning to weigh it on official scales.

I fished this tournment with Capt' Ashley Wallas on Ultimate II.
On the first day the water was green, and we could not find any bait. We managed to tag and release one striped marlin of about 80kg on 37kg line. We switch baited it, and had it jumping just metres away from the transom. My marlin was the only Bill fish to be caught that day, and earned us 10,000 points. However some opted to fish for tuna, and one boat tagged and release 14 yellowfin tuna earning them 14,000 points.
Second day produced 2 more striped marlin to our tally earning us another 20,000 point. Suprisingly a couple of shortbill spear fish were caught on this day also.
Third and last day saw us tag and release another striped marlin of aroun 120kg, giving us a total of 40,000 points, and winning us the tournament.
Runners up came in with 35,000 points which they eraned catching Yellowfin tuna.
In order to claim points it was required to tag and release your fish.
All in all from 45 competing boats, only a dozed or so bill fish were caught with a couple of Spearfish, and Blue Marlin as well.
Our concern over the 3 days was not being able to find bait. THe water was a better colour on the second day, and on the third day it wasn't much better than on the first.
As usuall a good time was had with good friends, and made some great new ones as well.
I always meet the nicest people on boats when l go marlin fishing.

[MartinB]

Well done on your tournament win mate! awesome looking fish you got in the pic too! i bet billfish must be quite a handfull to tag & release!!

[skip]

Excellent Joe, Envious as always

[milchner]

Hi Joe,

my congratulations and "Well done"! I think, everybody who knows how high frequented tournaments are in these days has to send you the Respects!

Best wishes,
Uwe

[twoutes]

Thanks guys, but l'm really not into tournaments that much. I was invited to fish this one, and had an opportunity to raise some dollars for charity. I enjoy my marlin fishing, without having to deal with the pressure of performing well.
I always sat that when l catch fish it's a bonus.

[shanook]

Well done twoutes.........

[redbus9]

congratulations on your win joe, i will have to come to aussie one day and go marlin fishing with you. keith

[twoutes]

Hi there Keith. No problems mate......and when you do come bring Nick with you too. I'll never forget the good time l had with you both on that fishing trip in Malta.

Thank you everyone for your good wishes.

I'm off to Bateman's Bay with my boat in a few weeks, and hope to be there when the marlin are there in larger numbers. Hopefully l will come back with some good reports, and better pictures.

[dcassar]

Congratulations Joe...good job...