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Day one of the Daiwa-Hobie ABT Grand Final for 2011 got underway today, with blasts of sunshine and the forecast change. Competitors packed rods, reels and as much tackle as they dare into the factory supplied Pro Anglers amassed on the start line. Anticipation like in all the Hobie events was quite high, with angler’s game plans and nous at the ready. Would the tournament bring in the quality fish that grand final weigh masters are used to receiving or would the weather play a big part and play havoc with results?
Well a bit of both if you ask me, the fish once again were there but switching them on was another story. With the run in tide even later today the racks and flats still held fish, but many didn’t secure their first fish until the top of it (Those that were lucky anyway). Many favourites drew blanks; even one fish today was going to be hard work. Steve Fields spoke to me after the tournament, remarking something along the lines of ‘...I thought Forster had big Bream, but this place has bigger’.
My approach for day one was somewhat different than my prefish, I decided to do what I should have done in many tournaments past. Paddling around 8-9kms I ventured up Limeburners and didn’t even cast a rod until I entered the muddy lake right at the end. Unfortunately I passed some quite fishy water to do so and the fish weren’t there. I say weren’t because I’m referring to Bream...
The only problem with Limeburners is the tide obviously takes a little bit to get up in there and by the time it’s in full swing in the creek it’s already bellowing out in the main system. It wasn’t until I started making my way back into the system that I started catching Bream, albeit squeaky little ones. The legals never came and I passed most of the competitors on the way back and I didn’t see any of them catch a fish, let alone a Bream. However, the closer I got to the start/finish line the more I heard of full bags and a couple of ones and twos.
Major kudos if you were one of those people, I can honestly say I know you fished your heart out. Day two will be a close affair with the top seven anglers cracking a kilo. So, small bags and a couple of kicker fish is all you need folks. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t. Just remember why you are here, you earned it and qualified against the best in the business. Everyone has off days; well at least that’s what I keep telling myself!
For full day one results, visit the ABT website at:
http://www.bream.com.au/
