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The anticipation, the journey, the heralded return...
The 2011 Daiwa Hobie ABT Kayak Series has many spectacular settings and destinations, none more hyped than the tournaments return to the mighty Bemm River. With a reputation for big southern Black Bream, the Victorian town conjured up an impressive turnout of competitors. So many in fact that the event earned its mega breamin’ tag and broke all previous ABT Kayak records by amassing the biggest turnout ever seen at any ABT Kayak event since its inception (57 entrants to be exact).
The majority consisted of sturdy Breamers, the first time hopeful, non boater stalwarts, interstate travellers and a massive flock of Victorian residents ready to cast more than an eye over the solid field. With Bemm River being the popular fishing and camping destination many arrived days earlier to take advantage of the impressive waterway, scouring possible hotspots developing what game plans they could (Just which direction to go, when and why?).
The official practice session on the Saturday gave many an insight into what to expect come tournament day. The sight of pre-fishing competitors and the numerous reports of sizeable Bream on offer had many minds agape. Those that could reflected on their efforts and last year’s Bemm bumper crop, ABT weigh master Simon Goldsmith and those infamous bump tubs were expecting the full kit and caboodle (The elusive three kilo mark).
The chance for history to repeat itself was nigh. On Sunday the 23rd of January the tournament assembled on the shores of Sydenham Inlet, with full catering by Alpine Country (Hobie Dealer) and the presence of the new ABT/Fishing Monthly Trailer. Mr. Goldsmith accompanied by Josh Carpenter prepped the entrants and assembled onlookers on the rules, etiquette and what lay ahead come weigh in. With just minutes to go a couple more individuals arrived and boosted the total number of live wells that needed to be inspected to 57 (As mentioned previously an impressive new record).
The ABT officials commenced time on and the contestants spilt off in alternate directions. Some ventured towards the bay flats, others as I found out later trekked a lot further. The Bream may of been feeling a little stung after the official pre-fish but the overcast conditions provide an idyllic backdrop and more than made up for any immediate lack of action (My experience only). As with most Bream events your approach was determined by the conditions. Would the surface be a big fish early morning option or perhaps dictate the only path to deeper water progeny?
There were some massive Bream around, schooling with either identical/smaller fish or roaming around what appeared to be solo. The vision of a big black thumper cruising the crust below a windswept wave was seriously awe inspiring. Water quality was mainly a turbid brown but in some locations ran crystal clear. Natural coloured presentations like a Zip Bait Khamsin Jr pattern 513A (Grey/Bronze/Green and Black fleck) worked well in the shallow sandy silt while a clearer 3B Crank Puppy Dog Hooch pattern (Shrimp, clear with orange stripes) dominated clearer, deeper water.
Everyone had their own individual approach and some would ultimately be more successful than others. First placed Jordan Trusty ventured kilometres up River before even wetting a line, an all or nothing approach that involved 3lb fluoro finesse and a Stiffy Minnow crank (Tassie Tiger pattern ). Runner-up and tournament debutant Bryan Lazzaro fished a lot closer, using a braided non stretch vibe and rip approach with a ghostly looking Ecogear VX35 Blade (Colour 439). The locations were polar opposites, their techniques varied greatly but in the end result proved to be much the same.
There were of course some unfortunate stories, with a couple of big fish deaths and of course a few late penalties. As entrants sauntered their way back to the finish line and milled around waiting for a victory weigh bag all eyes were affixed to the weigh master. As it turned out 100 legal Bream graced the judges presence (over 72kg’s of Bream was weighed) and 25 competitors secured a full bag. During last year’s event a 2.5kg bag didn’t even make the top ten, interesting to note that the same bag weight submitted at this event almost made the top five (Testament to the pre-fishing numbers perhaps?).
With such a large field the payouts went all the way down to 12th Place, with Kevin Winchester landing the tournaments $ 100 Boss Hog Bream of 1.15kg. In 11th place with 3 fish for 2.25kg, earning himself $75 was Clark Wilson. Dave Hedge rounded out the top 10 with 3 fish for 2.26kg ($100, Hobie Long Sleeve Shirt Prize). Hobie’s own Greg Lewis came in 9th with 3 fish for 2.33kg, ($100, Hobie Long Sleeve Shirt Prize). In 8th place with 3 fish for 2.36 was Glen Chester ($125, Hobie Long Sleeve Shirt Prize). 7th spot went to Matt Petrie with 3 fish for 2.42kg ($150, Hobie T-Shirt) and in 6th place with 3 fish for 2.51kg was Chris Burbridge ($150, Hobie T-Shirt).
The top five consisted of two anglers who backed themselves using the ABT ‘Pro’ feature. Neil Carstairs took out 5th and second placed ‘Pro’ with 3 fish for 2.55kg ($150/$90 Pro, Hobie Drift shute). Derek ‘Paffoh’ Steele (Writing as the third person) managed 4th with 3 fish for 2.64kg ($200, Hobie Drift Shute). 3rd placed Martin Fellows stepped it up a notch with 3 fish for 2.71kg ($250, Ram Fly Rod Holder/Hobie Bag) and Bryan Lazzaro, in his maiden kayak tournament pulled a well earned 2nd place with three big Bream for 2.75kg ($300, Ram Tube/Hobie Gear Keeper/ Hobie Bag).
As previously mentioned the event was taken out by ABT non-boater Jordan Trusty (Fishing out of a Hobie pro Angler Kayak). Jordan remarked to me while we were both waiting to weigh in that three fish over 800g was a great bag, you could tell he was quietly confident. Weighing in last he kept us all in suspense, with his down to earth attitude, free sharing spirit and angling nous he was always tipped to do well. The big question on many people’s lips was could he break that magic 3 kilogram mark?
Weighing in a bag only just shy at 2.93kg, which included two 38cm fork Bream, Jordan Trusty simply took the win. First placed ‘Pro’ netted $210, with an additional $650 breaking the ABT bank. For his efforts Jordan received a Ram Pivot, Large and Small Hobie Gear Keepers and a Hobie Bag. With a third place in last year’s Hobie Grand Final, and now automatic qualification into the 2011 Port Macquarie Grand Final, Jordan will definitely be one to watch come the season ending tournament day (Never mind the race for the Angler of the Year title!).
The next round of the Daiwa Hobie Kayak Series floods into the Hopkins River (Sorry, a pun is a pun), followed closely by the Tasmanian event at St. Helens. With four state titles approaching (Including 10 more rounds) and 38 Grand Final spots still up for grabs there has never been a better time to get involved and participate in one of the best tournaments on the ABT stage. For more information on rounds, the event calendar, results, reports and updates on locations and numbers please visit http://www.hobiefishing.com.au/ or http://www.bream.com.au/.
For full results of this round, please click here.
