Plenty of fun at annual fishing competition

The Alligator Fishing Club Commitee at the annual Club Challenge presentations on October 29 at the Jabiru Sports and Social Club.

By Andy Ralph
Some 40 boats spread far and wide throughout Kakadu for the annual Alligator Fishing Club Challenge on October 28 and 29.
Now in its 11th year, the all species competition sees many teams race down the South Alligator River chasing blue water species; then next day hitting the billabongs for hungry saratoga or upper East Alligator River for a big barra.
With most teams overnighting in their boats near Mud Island or up Brooks Creek at the mouth of the South Alligator, anglers battled rough conditions, electrical storms and never-ending assault from sandflies to score some golden snapper in the mid 70cms with junior angler Matt Bolitho winning the outright jew prize with a 122cm fish after zipping across to the mouth of East Alligator River.
But the catch of the day went to local female angler Lou Webster after bottom fishing without luck and with a winning barra in mind, her skipper Brett Warhurst ventured a few kilometres upstream to the mouth of Brooks Creek to throw a few lures around.
With the boys having the first flick, they quickly wound in two fish in the mid 80’s, then Lou’s first cast saw her Reidy’s Judge lure smashed by a 98cm barra – taking out the major prize in the competition.
Overall 248 fish were registered and although fish size was down on previous comps, organisers were happy that good numbers were not only caught in the big rivers, but also in the billabongs where it’s been slim pickings since the big rain event in mid-September.
The two day competition ended at the Jabiru Sports & Social Club with a family fun afternoon with junior casting competition, water slides, face painting and the annual NAH helicopter lolly-drop on the JSSC bowling green. Alligator Fishing Club members are reminded that the AGM will be held at the JSSC on Saturday, December 3.