25th LIZARD ISLAND BLACK MARLIN CLASSIC 2011

Video from MoanaIII 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcLCG8XFhAs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-aNXJRbXfw&feature=share

Anglers from Australia, USA, UK, Russia, Japan, China & Sweden, gathered on Saturday night, 1st October 2011, in the Marlin Centre on Lizard Island to register and attend the Calcutta Auction and Briefing Dinner. 146 people were in attendance.
The 24 entered boats were auctioned off for a total pool of $21,650.00, with the successful bidder of the winning boat to receive the entire pool, less 10% for Charity and R & D.

Day 1,

Sunday, 2 October, the opening day started with a spectacular sail past of the “Battle Wagons” in front of Lizard Island Resort in Anchor Bay, followed by a race to the outer Reef and start fishing on Day 1. The weather was good with about 15 knot winds and there were 21 strikes, 13 hook ups for 8 tags and one self disqualified, from 6 boats, with “Amokura” winning the day with 2 tags on a countback from “Kanahoee”. Champion Male Angler was Phil McCloy on “Amokura” with 2 tags and Champion Female Angler was Amanda Thompson on “Kanahoee” with 2 tags, one being estimated at 850 pound.

Day 2,

the weather was again good and there were 25 strikes, 17 hook ups for 13 tags, plus 1 self disqualified. The day was won by “Spartacus” with 2 tags on a countback from “Hattitude. Champion Male Angler remained Phil McCloy on “Amokura” with 2 tags on countback from Ralph Czabayski Jr with 2 on “Spartacus and Andrew Harvey on “Hattitude”. Champion Female Angler remained Amanda Thompson on “Kanahoee” with 2 tags. Craig Reagor on “Calypso” tagged an estimated 950 pounder. “Amokura” retained Champion Team status.

Day 3,

the weather was again good and 43 strikes, with 31 hook ups delivered 21 Tags and another 1 self disqualified. The day was won by “Little Audrey” with 4 tags, Champion Male Angler became Tomonori Omi on “Top Shot” with 4 tags on countback from Ralph Czabayski Jr on “Spartacus” with 4. Amanda Thompson remained Champion Female with 2 tags. Champion Team was now “Little Audrey” on 5 tags.
“Moana” with angler Andrey Grigoriev deployed one of the 5 Satellite Tags donated by Peter Teakle in an estimated 900 pounder to be the first away in the Great Black Marlin Race. All 5 SAT Tags are set to release in 120 days and when data is then downloaded from the satellite, Stanford University Professor Randy Kochevar will be able to determine which travelled the greater distance and an enormous amount of other information for us to better understand these magnificent Black Marlin and help in the management of the species.

Day 4,

the weather got even better and there were 60 strikes, 50 hook ups for 38 Tags and another self disqualified. There were some really big fish today with Amanda Thompson on “Kanahoee” and Ken Kline on “Little Audrey” each tagging an estimated 950 pounds and Phillip Scott on “Reelistic” deployed the second of the 5 SAT tags in a 250 pound fish. The day was won by “Askari” with a great 5 tags, which jumped them into Champion Team with a total of 9 tags. Champion Male Angler changed once again and Connor Craven on “Viking” with 6 tags, led on a countback from Ray Camilleri on “Askari” and Ralph Czabayski Jr on “Spartacus”, both with 6. Champion Female Angler remained Amanda Thompson with 4 on a count back from Lydie Magers with 4 on “Tradition”. Champion Team changed once again, with “Askari” jumping into first place with 9 from “Little Audrey” with 7.
IGFA Trustee and Vice Chairman Bob Rich, tagged an estimated 1100 pound on “Calypso”, which enabled him to apply to join the prestigious Lizard Island Game Fish Club Thousand Pound Tag & Release Club.

Day 5,

was won by “Askari” with 3 tags which also kept them as Champion Team with a total now of 12 tags and a commanding lead. Champion Male Angler remained Ray Camilleri on “Askari” with 9 tags and Champion Female Amanda Thompson on “Kanahoee” increasing her count to 6. Chris Caron on “Castille” deployed the third SAT tag in an estimated 850 pound fish. “Askari” increased its hold on Champion Team with a total now of 12 Tags. 21 of the 24 boats entered had now scored.

Day 6,

close to a glass out at sea resulted in 43 strikes, 31 hook ups producing 22 tags, the best day so far. “Askari” once again took the honours for the day with 3 tags, giving them an almost unassailable lead as Champion Team with 15 tags. Champion Male Angler was still Ray Camilleri on “Askari” with 10 tags, closely followed by Tomonori Omi on “Top Shot” with 9. Amanda Thompson on “Kanahoee” increased her lead score to 8 to lead Lydie Maggers with 5 on “Tradition”. 23 of the 24 entries had now scored.
Mitchell Liddall on “Askari” tagged an estimated 1100 pounder to qualify him into the Lizard Island Game Fish Club Thousand Pound Tag & Release Club.

Day 7,

a magnificent “Glass Out” day to finish this great event produced 18 strikes, 14 hook ups and 8 Tags for a Tournament Total of 264 strikes, 200 hook ups and 125 Tags from 24 boats. With another 2 entries into the Thousand Pound Tag & Release Club this absolutely justifies the claim that the Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic is indeed the Best Heavy Tackle Black Marlin Tournament in the World.
“Reely Black” took the day’s honours with 2 tags and Champion Male Angler remained Ray Camilleri on “Askari” from Runner up Male Angler Tomonori Omi on “Top Shot with 10. Amanda Thompson on “Kanahoee” kepy her lead as Champion Female Angler from Runner Up Lydie Maggers on “Tradition’ with 5.

Champion Team on “Askari” was led by Team Captain Shane Sipthorp with a fantastic 16 tags with Runner Up Champion team led by Team Captain Phil Webster with 10 Tags.

Champion Boat Captain Corey Hard on “Askari” accepted the Champion Boat Award with the most memorable and hilarious and long acceptance speech in the 25 year history of this great event.

Runner Up Champion Boat Captain Daniel Carlson on “Little Audrey” collected the second place trophies.

Overall Tournament Stats:
264 strikes for 200 hook-ups delivered 125 Tags which included 3 SAT Tags.
2 SAT Tags remain with the fleet for deployment as soon as suitable fish can be tagged.

The size range of fish tagged was:
0 to 100 pound = 3;
101 to 200 = 38;
201 to 300 = 31;
301 to 400 = 16;
401 to 500 = 5;
501 to 600 = 5;
601 to 700 = 2;
701 to 800 = 4;
801 to 900 = 14;
901 to 1000 = 4;
1001 to 1100 = 3.
GRAND TOTAL = 125

The 26th Lizard Island Game Fish Club Black Marlin Classic
will be held 20th to 27th October 2012
and entries close 30 September 2012.

Bob Lowe
President Lizard Island Game Fish Club Inc.