The biggest bream ever caught during a mainland fishing competition was the stand-out catch during the grand final of the Squidgy Southern Bream Series, held on the NSW South Coast over the weekend.
The massive 2.510kg (5.533 pound) black bream was caught in St Georges Basin by Team Fishing World’s Adrian Van. Together with team mate Wes Murphy, Van was fishing the shallow edges of the basin and caught the monster fish on an Ecogear blade.
The big fish, which measured only 46.1cm but which was described as being immensely thick and solid, was the only one weighed in by the Team Fishing World. That single fish managed, however, to put the boys in 22nd place!
The two-day grand final was staged by the Basin Lure and Fly Club with day 1 being held in the basin and day 2 in the Shoalhaven River.
Rainy and cool conditions for the Shoalhaven River round resulted in fairly difficult fishing conditions, but competitors toughed it out with most teams catching quality bream.
The event was won by Team Shimano Evinrude (Alan Loftus and Ross Cannizzaro) with a solid bag of 6.765 kilos. Local anglers Scott Sharpe and Grant Kime, fishing as Team Culburra Bait and Tackle, took second place honours with a bag of 5.560 kilos. Third place was taken out by Team Honda Marine/www.critteroz.com (Steve Gill and Mark Weber) with a 5.015kg bag.
Jason Price took out the kayak section, with a respectable bag weighing 2.765 kilos.
A total of 39 teams and 15 kayak anglers fished the finals, which marked the conclusion of a highly successful tournament series held along the coast and in Sydney. Big prizes, including cash, Shimano fishing gear, Hobie Australasia kayaks, Lowrance marine electronics, Mad Keen clothing, Fishing World subscriptions and Damiki lures, plus a lucky draw prize of a 25hp Evinrude E-TEC, and well managed and enjoyable tournament rounds has seen the Southern Bream Series rise to become one of NSW’s pre-eminent bream comps.
The 2011 series looks to be even bigger and more prestigious, with Bundaberg rum joining the list of sponsors. Stand-by for more details on this exciting comp series in Fishing World and on www.fishingworld.com.au. For details on how to enter the 2011 round, check out www.basinlureandfly.org.au.
