Local Port Elizabeth angler Candice Coetzee, on the boat Zeekoets, showed up the men when she won the annual Williams Hunt Isuzu Tuna Classic - held over the past three days - taking home 30-thousand rand in prize money for her efforts.
The Tuna Classic got off to a great start last Friday, with a total of 25 boats heading out to the Tuna Grounds situated about 60-80km south of Cape Recife.
The first day delivered the eventual winning Tuna caught by Candice Coetzee, weighing in at a whopping 65.85kg.
Andre Benecke, fishing on Rough Rider, called in the first Marlin of the tournament and successfully released the fish and thereby claimed the R4,000-00 offered for the first Marlin of the tournament being successfully released.
A total of 49 Tuna weighing over 15 Kg was weighed on the first day, with many fish exceeding 40kg.
Day 1 saw some drama when the boat “Staggerlee” reported that it was taking on water about 25 miles off-shore. “Catitude”, skippered by Mike Riley raced to its assistance and Colin Barris swam across to help stabilised the situation by getting the bilge pumps working properly on the floundering vessel. “Staggerlee” eventually made it back to port under its own steam later that evening where the boat was trailered to conduct a hull inspection, with a large crack found that caused the emergency.
Day 2 was a much quieter day, with only 31 fish making it to the weigh station at the PE Deep Sea Angling Club.
The highlight of the day saw a Black Marlin weighing in at 174kg being brought to the Pedsac weigh station. This phenomenal catch was made by Steve Brewis, fishing of the boat “Big G”. The fish could not be released as it could not be revived after putting up a massive fight testing the fishing gear to the absolute limit.
Another Marlin was caught and released on the same day.
Werner Botha, fishing on the boat “Heatseeker”, weighed in a Bonnito of 7.5kg, claiming the eventual prize for the biggest Bonnito caught during the tournament.
Day 3 produced the best overall catches in very rough sea conditions, with 71 Tuna being weighed at the end of the final day.
Another Marlin and a sail fish was caught and released on the final day.
In total, 151 Yellowfin Tuna was weighed, making this year’s Tuna Classic as one of the most successful in over a decade. The organisers are glad to see a rebound in Tuna numbers which indicates an general improvement in the food chain bringing the much prized Tuna back to our waters.
Overall Top boat was Big G, skippered by Pierre Westerveld weighing in a total Yellowfin Tuna bag of 321.85kg based on the 4 biggest fish caught on the boat each day and securing R30 000 in Prize money.
Top overall angler, went to Candice Coetzee fishing on the boat Zeekoets, weighing in the biggest Yellowfin Tuna of 65.85kg taking home the winners cheque of R30 000.
