THE month-long Hooked on Tuna fishing competition has officially kicked off, with anglers coming from far and wide to test their luck out on Portland waters.
Anglers are expected to travel from across the state in lure of the elusive tuna catch for the annual competition, which runs until April 24.
Hosted by Glenelg Shire Council in partnership with the Portland Sports Game Fishing Club and Portland Lions Club, the competition will offer $10,000 in cash prizes for entrants, including a $1000 prize each weekend for the heaviest catch.
“A special thanks goes to our event partners in the Portland Lions Club and Portland sports Game Fishing Club, and the Portland Coast Guard who provide continued support for this event,” Glenelg Shire Mayor. Anita Rank said.
Keen angler Roy Thaller went home $1000 richer after he secured a 12kg gutted and gilled tuna, claiming the title of heaviest catch of the weekend and for the competition so far.
Mr Thaller was on board Bagout Fishing Charters when he reeled in his winning catch.
Rank said it was a small catch compared to previous years of the competition, suggesting that bigger tuna were just waiting to be caught.
“In previous years we have seen 100kg hauls in the first week and just off the coast of Warrnambool this weekend a 90kg tuna was caught, so there are bigger fish out there just waiting for a lucky angler to reel them in,” she said.
“We anticipate to see these heavier tuna caught between now and the final weekend of the competition, which may serve to knock Roy from his current first position on the leader board.”
This year’s competition will finish on an exciting high, with the final weekend coinciding with the Hooked on Portland Festival.
“Portland is well recognised as Australia’s bluefin tuna capital. In fact, the city is currently starring in 7Mate’s reality television show Charter Boat Wars, which follows charter boat operators in Portland during their quest to prove their tuna fishing skills,” Rank said.
“The final weekend of Hooked on Tuna will take place alongside Hooked on Portland, a free festival celebrating Portland’s rich seafood, fishing and tourism culture.
“This year’s festival will see celebrity chef, Paul West, hosting demonstrations at the catch and cook stage, and Australian folk/rock duo The Pierce Brothers headlining the live music stage, alongside markets, kids’ amusements and more.
“We anticipate that the weekend of April 23 and 24 will see Portland swelling with visitors for a weekend full of premium free entertainment for the whole family, which will provide a perfect, exciting backdrop for the final weekend of Hooked on Tuna.”
The Hooked on Tuna fishing competition continues every weekend in April, with the final weekend of fishing taking place on 23 and 24 April 2022.
Online registrations can be completed via Eventbrite.
Alternatively, hard copy forms are available on the day from the Portland Yacht Club.
For full competition terms and conditions, visit the Eventbrite page.
