Report written by Ben Weston of PGFC
“I have just returned from a week at the Abrolhos as a guest of Neil Patrick onboard Safari II fishing the Halco, Abrolhos Island fishing comp run by the Geraldton & District Offshore Fishing Club.
The hospitality shown by the club and its members and the structure of the event is something I think we can learn from in developing PGFC’s future plans. Other club boats included Mandalay and Naturaliste. The weather was fantastic, some might say too good, with nice 30° days and only one day that might have spilt your G&T. Fishing with Neil was a wonderful experience. He has a very structured way to fish, which works very well. The crew of Bill Woodthorpe and Tim Coleman, who have fished with Neil on many occasions made me feel very welcome; we had a lot of laughs and a congenial time. The boat is very well set up for game fishing and I learnt many valuable lessons during my time aboard and in general discussion with the crew. I was also given some old capture books from the boat, which are fascinating pieces of club history and which I will cherish.
The first night was a well attended introduction and briefing. The event runs heavy and light tackle divisions which works very well and allows those wanting to fish light tackle the opportunity to compete for separate prizes, whilst the heavy tackle fishermen looked for marlin and other species at the drop off.
Day one saw a few sore heads but most boats were out looking for fish in the crystal clear 25° cobalt blue water. The light tackle guys were getting into various species of mackerel, tuna and snapper along with dollies and other species. The heavy tackle guys were mostly looking for billfish out on the shelf. There were good numbers of mahi mahi and yellowfin tuna caught on most boats on most days.
During the course of the week we were lucky enough to travel and stay in most of the island groups with Neil having a wealth of knowledge about anchorages. It is a stunning location and I would strongly suggest that all members jump at any opportunity to get out there and have a look around. The bottom fishing was amazing with coral trout, baldies, dhufish and all manner of other top quality eating fish available. We only took enough for a feed each night, trying to protect the valuable ecosystem.
Each evening would see a raft up for a few drinks and tales of the day’s fishing, the night before or, depending on the number of Bill’s G&T’s, the days of old. Spags, one of the locals who has lived on the islands his whole life has such a zest for life and fishing it was hard not to feel his love for the ocean. He and his young son and friends are the future of Abrolhos fishing and I would not be surprised to see them find a 1000lb fish in the coming years, especially with the help of one of Richter Lures’ new teasers. They have a fantastic spirit of adventure and some stories that made your hair stand on end. Neil was able to share some fishing stories and talk to the younger guys about techniques that he employed to catchand raise fish. It was a wonderful group of fisherman and I look forward to having them down to Perth, when they can, for a fish.
Inner Visions and Balek III were always close by working the trench hard and for many long days. Randal and crew from local boat “Fire Island” were competing hard with Mandalay for light tackle honours. I was lucky to be able to assist Fire Island with some spare parts out of Perth on the way up (and make it to the airport in the nick of time before departure). In exchange I was collected from the airport and dropped straight to the boat. This spirit of co-operation was great and is what fishing clubs should be all about.
Although the marlin fishing was a little quiet this year the week was fantastic. The people and the experience are as much a part of fishing comps as the fish, and to this end the Abrolhos Island comp is as good as any. I would like to thank Neil Patrick for the invitation to fish the tournament and for giving me some insights into fishing the Abrolhos and for so many great memories on a very special trip”
