Tagging Tales

Suntag is a world leading citizen science volunteer fish tagging program that is part of an Australian program that has tagged over 1,000,000 fish and was the first volunteer program in the world to reach that milestone. Data collected through the program is used to improve our knowledge base of recreational fishing by providing near real time information on the status the competition and supporting the stocking group. It was a great morning had by all with a magnificent sausage sizzle at the prize presentation topping it off.

Thanks also to BCF, Sharppoint Jigheads, Estuary Clothing Co, Berserk Australia, Yak Hunters Australia and Ankhor Clothing for all the fantastic prize donations. –Tenpin (Steve Bolin)

Brought to you by of coastal estuaries and inland impoundments.

Thanks to the fish, we can provide you with some interesting stories that they tell.

OFFSHORE SPECIES

The Suntag tagging program includes many different species and because of that we have an incredible insight into many fisheries.

This saddletail snapper was initially captured in the waters of Turkey Beach in Central Queensland. For the next three and a bit years it travelled and grew, eventually being recaptured 37 kilometres away on the offshore grounds. It grew 41cm in that time. All invaluable and interesting information to anglers.

Check out the growth on the tag in the image.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU CATCH A TAGGED FISH

The information you will need to report your recapture is. The length of the fish and the location it was captured.

Get a photo if possible.

To report the details of your recapture you have two options: Call 1800 077001 or go to www.crystalbowl. infofishaustralia.com. au/suntag/recaptures/ recapture_form_1.html and fill in the form.

In return you will receive a certificate providing the details of the tagging and recapture of your fish, as a thank you for providing the information.

Finally, time to start our fishing tournaments again! The Bill Maguire Memorial Round was held on 26 March at Sydney Harbour. As the name suggests, the first round of the East Coast Bream Series is dedicated to Bill Maguire. The team first place and a cheque for $2,500.

“After finding out that the bag size was reduced to 3 fish we knew straight away that we needed to change up our game plan. We decided to stay east of the bridge all day targeting oyster encrusted thanks Lesley Maguire for presenting the perpetual trophy, as well as providing the prize packs for the day.

Winners are grinners! Team Lowrance/Sunline took home two cheques and a fishing voucher!

ECBS have changed the catch from 5 fish to 3 fish for this year. It was a decision that caused mixed feelings within the fishing fraternity but it appears that the results across the board made the event a lot closer.

There was a great turnout of 57 teams and all new teams enjoyed the social aspect to the event. It is always great to see anglers chatting before and after the event.

Congratulations to all the winning teams.

FIRST PLACE

Michael Colotoures, Robert Patruno, Theo Colotoures of Team Pheonix Boats took out banks, poles, pontoons, to target big fish only,” said Michael.

“The morning started off a little slow but we still had our bag within 30 minutes, but their size was lacking.

“The big fish decided to come out and play around 10am for us with an hour window landing 3 big fish all around that kilo mark.

“It was good to take out the first win for the series, even better knowing that 3 fish or 5 ain’t gonna slow us down!”

SECOND PLACE

Team Flat Nacky consisting of Steven Cole and Daniel McLovin Hayes placed in second spot just shy of the top spot weight with 3 fish for 2.92kg –only 11g between them! The team took home $1,200 for their efforts.

THIRD PLACE

Greg Beattie and Toufick Hachem of Team Lowrance/ Sunline took home multiple cheques for their session –$800 for third place position, $200 for the Biggest Bream and another $50 voucher from Kingswood Sports Club.

“We started our day east of the bridge using Cranka Crabs on rocky outcrops and poles. We also used the Active Target to confirm poles worth casting to,” said Greg.

“Touf landed our anchor fish of 1.4kg on his first cast of the day. The pitifully small rising tide kept us east of the bridge waiting to move west and leaving a lot of places we would normally fish on the way back high and dry.

“We made do with what we could fish with OSP Bent Minnows. WE saw a few fish come up that would have helped us but they just would not commit. We caught a few more fish but couldn’t better what we already had picked up on the crabs earlier in the day.”

FOURTH PLACE

Team Outcatin, Gary Nano and Adam Viksne, were happy with their fourth the way before we headed back for a final go at the bridges where we got an upgrade before heading back to weight in.” spot and a cheque for $600.

Gary talked through their day, “We decided to start fishing bridges early on but only managed a few small ones so decided to fish the rocky edges for most of the day. We managed to pick up a few good ones along

KINGSWOOD