31st Annual Fiji International Game Fishing Tournament - 2017

The 31st Annual Fiji International Game Fishing Tournament will be held at the Pearl South Pacific Resort & Marina from 28th July - 30th July, 2017.

After an absence of 3 years, the Fiji International Game Fishing Tournament is back! This legendary game fishing competition held in Pacific Harbour, is set to return to the Fiji game fishing calendar with the revival of the Pacific Harbour Game Fishing Club and the newly opened Pearl South Pacific Marina.               

PACIFIC HARBOUR AND THE TOURNAMENT VENUE
Pacific Harbour is world renowned for its spectacular sport-fishing, where legendary game boats and professional captains have explored the sparkling pristine waters of the Beqa Lagoon and the enormous Astrolabe barrier reef in Kadavu. This beautiful barrier reef is the fourth largest in the world. Its rugged beauty reminds some of parts of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, where there are plenty of wide, deep openings and crystal clear, calm lagoons. Along the outside edge of the reef, the cobalt Pacific drops away sharply, and as every local fisherman knows, this is where the big wahoo hunt.

The tournament fleet will be hosted by the Pearl South Pacific Marina. Designed by Australian-based Marina International, designer of Singapore's Keppel Bay Marina and Dubai's 3km, 800 berth Marina, the new $8m Marina at the Pearl South Pacific Resort is a welcome addition to the Coastline of Fiji's main island of Viti Levu.        

Offering not only a haven for visiting yachts and super yachts, but also easy access to the abundance of water based activities in and around the world-renowned Beqa Lagoon. The attached resort, where most of the events will be held, features 4 categories of 4-star accommodation and boasts 5 restaurants, conveniently accommodating all tournament competitors in a central location, right outside their boats.

Previous tournaments have attracted high profile competitors from Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and the United States with local entries from as far afield as Savusavu in the north and Denarau in the west. With interest extremely high, and with the record numbers of world class boats available in the country, this year, we expect to be well supported by local and International Anglers once again to this prestigious tournament.

The tournament will be held over 3 days and this year marks the first time the tournment is live-streamed to a social media audience through a combination of on-board action and Tow-Cam footage provided by FBC TV and live-action Facebook streaming to thousands of game-fishing enthusiasts around the world. 

For more information please contact:

MR CLIFTON GOUGH  
General Manager
Sunlover Marine
Pearl Marina
Pacific Harbour

Tel: (679) 7072000
Direct: (679) 9992000
Email: clifton@sunloverfiji.com    

Contact

Mobile(679) 7072000/9992000

Fax-

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Queens Road Deuba, Pacific Harbour Serua

Under the watchful eyes of IGFA representatives Harvey Probert and Albert Threadingham, anglers mingled with spectators over the course of the weekend as walu, wahoo, mahimahi and more were weighed and recorded for the 30^th Pacific Harbour International Game Fishing Club’s Annual Tournament.

Sponsored and hosted by the Pearl South Pacific Resort in Pacific Harbour, Club chairman and tournament organiser Mark Spurling said of the event, “We are grateful to the Pearl Resort for sponsoring and hosting our 30^th  Annual Game Fishing Tournament – it has been a great success with 8 participating boats and more than 60 anglers. Pacific Harbour has proven itself time and time again as having some of the best game fishing grounds in Fiji and this years event was no exception!”

Freedive Fiji’s Winning Team with their trophies.

With over 38 fish caught, excluding fish that were released after being weighed, or fish disqualified for being underweight, the competition was divided into two main pools. Total prize fund this year was over $11,000 which saw 8 teams vying for the winning title.

Defending champions Lunesea from Namotu Island Resort failed to hold off fierce competition from the Freedive Fiji team, who after taking an early lead, continued to flex their rods over the three-day event, recording a winning total of 572.1 points.

Patrick Palmer describing his tag and release experience.

World-renowned fisherman George Trinkler flew in from Australia to join the Freedive team and caught the heaviest wahoo of the tournament weighing in at 35.1kg.

“It’s definitely the most competitive tournament in Fiji, held at a fantastic venue with awesome fishing,” said Mr Trinkler, “I only have good things to say about Fiji and the Freedive Fiji gang!”

Patrick Palmer owner of Coral Cove Beach Villas, caught and released the only sailfish of the competition – believed to weigh over 70 kilograms!

“It was the final day of the tournament and we were on our last run back to the weigh-in, coming towards Frigates Passage when the fish struck” said the Kevlar Kat team fisherman.

A sailfish being brought alongside for tagging Freedive Fiji

After a 22-minute battle, the monster was tagged with an official IGFA tag and carefully releasedafter 5 minutes of being rested and revived.

Mr Palmer added, “We were trawling dead bait – and of all the rods onboard, the sailfish decided to pick a fight with the bright pink rod and Shimano T30 rigged with 15kg line!”

Day 2 catch lined up to be weighed.

The event was a huge success enjoyed by all participants and spectators, “Pacific Harbour has yet again proven itself as one of the best venues in Fiji for game fishing!” concluded Mr Spurling, who when not organising Game Fishing tournaments, also manages the popular tourist attraction Terra Trek Tours.

The lovely Tima from The Pearl South Pacific Resort handing out copies of the Guide to participants and spectators.

We at FijiMarinas.com are already looking forward to next year’s event. Be sure to pick up your 2014 edition of ‘A Mariners Guide to FIJI Shores & Marinas’ or keep an eye on fijimarinas.com for 2014 Game Fishing tournament dates!

Congratulations again to Freedive Fiji and to all of the participants!

The Invitational International Game Fishing Tournament 2009

THE INVITATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
GAME FISHING TOURNAMENT
2009

SPONSORED BY VODAFONE FIJI LTD

In association with Fosters Group & Shimano

The International Game Fishing Club is proud to announce that the Invitational International Game Fishing Tournament is to take place on 24th-28th June, 2009 at Club Oceanus - 1 Atoll Place, Pacific Harbour.

3 days fishing, daily weigh-in, prize giving luncheon and events.

Team entry (4 anglers) ONLY $400 Additional anglers (max 2 per team) $100

Contact Rebecca on 9422380 or 3450 498 to secure your place in Fiji's most prestigious game fishing event!

28th International Game Fishing Tournament, 2008

The 28th International Game Fishing Tournament, organised by the International Game Fishing Club (IGFC) based at the Pearl South Pacific in Pacific Harbour, Fiji Islands.

IN Association with RIVIERA Fiji and SHIMANO.

25th June to 29th June, 2008.

Press Release for IGFC 28th International Game Fishing Tournament, 2008

PRESS RELEASE JULY 3 2008

The 2008 Invitational International Game Fishing Tournament has concluded with team Fosters Fiji on the Bertram Golden Eagle the outright winner after a runaway Day 1 performance Tagging & Releasing two Pacific Sailfish and fifteen Yellowfin Tuna boated.

Team Fosters Fiji finished on 980.1 points ahead of Pearl 1 on 712.1 and Mango Bay Princess on 593.1.

The tournament, organized by the International Game Fishing Club, in association with Riviera Fiji, Shimano, the Fijian Ministry of Youth and Sports and thirty one local sponsors was based at The Pearl South Pacific Resort at Pacific Harbour from June 25-29.

A total of 99 fish were weighed in as 57 anglers from Fiji, Australia and New Zealand battled it out for the major prizes in Fiji's premier game fishing tournament.

Team winners were Fosters Fiji, Pearl 1 and Mango Bay Princess.

Champion male anglers were Zoheb Razak (491.6) and George Trinkler (320.6) from Golden Eagle Fosters Fiji team , and Les Crossingham (302.4) of the Pearl Resort Team on Pearl 1.

Champion Lady Angler was New Zealand's Lyn Salvidge (108) aboard the Riviera flagship Opulence.

Champion Junior Angler (53.4) was Jordan Whittacker from Saltwater 1 and Champion Smallfry Angler was 10 year old Max Collingwood(46.5) from the newly launched Riviera La Moana – based at the Uprising Resort.

In the individual species section the heaviest Billfish weighed went to Risto Harmat for his 45.9kg Pacific Sailfish on 15 kg line from La Moana and the Uprising Team 1. Risto also took out the heaviest Mahi Mahi with a 10.5kg capture on 15kg line.

The heaviest Tuna went to junior angler Darcy Gibson who weighed a 20.8 kg Yellowfin Tuna on 15 kg line from Turaga Levu and the Sustainable Forest Team.

Heaviest Wahoo went to Lyn Salvidge on Opulence for a 32.1 kg capture on 24kg line, and the heaviest Walu and a new Tournament Record went to Rob Stephenson on Wai Tadra for a 12.5kg fish on 8kg line.

"Our 2008 tournament will go down in the club's history as a David and Goliath story" said IGFC President Chris Donlon. "We had a fleet of nine smaller craft competing against three Rivieras and a Bertram. While all boats scored well, two of the smallest boats finished second and third, three major prizes went to junior anglers, and the heaviest Wahoo went to our Champion Lady Angler fishing on the Riviera flagship Opulence".

A new national and Tournament Record was set by David Murray from Australia fishing aboard Mango Bay Princess for his 8.1 kg Skipjack Tuna on 8 kg line. Also aboard Mango Bay Princess, Australian angler Darren Cook set a tournament record for Grand Trevally with a 12.3k fish on 10 kg line. Rob Stephenson, a veteran angler from New Zealand now resident in Pacific Harbour, also set a tournament record for his capture of a 12.5kg Walu on 8 kg line from local charter king Wai Tadra.

"The 2008 tournament also marks the start of a new era for game fishing in Fiji" said President Chris Donlon. "During the tournament all anglers participated in a research survey by Pacifc Harbour Fisheries Consultant Robert Stone, which is aiming to determine the economic value of recreational fishing throughout the Pacific. This information will be used in the further development of fisheries policies in a bid to conserve and better manage the stocks of fish in our waters".

"From this year, the International Game Fishing Club, in association with Suva and Denarau Game Fishing Clubs, will be hosting a national calendar of events promoting sustainable recreational fishing throughout Fiji. In addition to the major tournaments, this will include an all line class Yellowfin Tuna Tournament at Pacific Harbour during the peak of the Yellowfin season in April. Capping the line class at 15 kg will attract leading international anglers wishing to compete with our local champions".

"To promote junior angling we will be running Smallfry (up to10) and Junior (up to16) tournaments in conjunction with tackle workshops and tag and release training from our new club headquarters, planned for construction at the Pacific Safari in Pacific Harbour".

"The clubhouse is a local initiative to create a base for all those interested in fishing and watersports. Concept drawings were on display throughout the tournament and attracted a lot of interest. The club has also been approached by major sponsors with a view to funding its construction and making the new club headquarters a reality in the near future".

Video Footage from Turaga Levu

Vinaka Vaka Levu to Horace Gock of Turaga Levu for your video and photos!

Fishing on Golden Eagle - First Place

Golden Eagle - 980.1 points - HIGHEST SCORING TEAM

Golden Eagle - 1st place

Vinaka Vaka Levu to George Trinkler for your fantastic photos.

Final Results of the 28th International Game Fishing Tournament

Highest Scoring Team
Golden Eagle
980.1 points

2nd Highest Scoring Team
Pearl 1
712.1 points

Third Highest Scoring Team
Mango Bay Princess
593.1 points

Highest Scoring Male Angler
Zohed Razak - Golden Eagle
491.6 points

2nd Highest Scoring Male Angler
George Trinkler - Golden Eagle
320.6 points

3rd Highest Scoring Male Angler
Les Crossingham - Pearl 1
302.6 points

Highest Scoring Lady Angler
Lyn Salvidge - Opulence
108 points

Highest Scoring Junior Angler
Jordan Whittacker - SaltWater
53.4 points

Champion Small Fry Angler
Max Collingwood - La Moana
46.5 points

Tag and Release
George Trinkler - Golden Eagle
Zoheb Razak - Golden Eagle

Heaviest BillFish
Risto Harmat - La Moana
45.9kg on 15kg line

Heaviest Wahoo
Lyn Salvidge - Opulence
32.1kg on 24kg line

Heaviest Tuna
Darcy Gibson - Turaga Levu
20.8kg on 15kg line

Heaviest MahiMahi
Risto Harmat - La Moana
10.5kg on 15kg line

Heaviest Walu
Rob Stephenson - Wai Tadra
12.5kg on 8kg line

Most Wahoo Points
Les Crossingham - Pearl 1
302.4 points

Best Dressed Team
SALT WATER ONE

2nd Best Dressed
LA MOANA

Outstanding Contribution to the 2008 Tournament
Jo Boddam-Whethem

Outstanding Service to the IGFC
Albert and Pauline Threadingham

Fiji National Record
David Murray - Mango Bay Princess
8.1kg Skipjack on 8kg line

IGFC Tournament Records
David Murray - Mango Bay Princess
8.1kg Skipjack on 8kg line

Rob Stephenson - Wai Tadra
12.5kg Walu on 8kg line

Darren Cook - Mango Bay Princess
12.3 Giant Trevally on 10kg line

Congratulations FISHERMEN!

DAY THREE

Day Three - Final day of the 28th International Game Fishing Tournament, 2008.

Adi Cagilaba with their catch, Albert Threadingham checking their lines.

The Pearl One with their haul of seven fish.

Two sail fish were bought in today on La Moana and Turaga Levu

La Moana with their sail fish

Risto brought in the 45.9 sail fish on a 15kg line


Junior angler Darcy Gibson

bought in the sail fish for TuragaLevu.

Congratulations

Mango Bay Princess caught the only saqa of the tournament!

After a few more drinks and speeches all captains and crew and friends finished the night off at Uprising Beach Resort.

Results at the end of DAY TWO

Opulence - 206.8
Mango Bay Princess - 543.9
Pearl One - 314.5
Saltwater One - 130.8
Xtasea - 46
Cagilaba - 38.4
La Moana - 331.9
Wai Tadra - 463
Kania - 271.7
Golden Eagle - 980.1
Freelance - 272.6
Forceline - 131.4
Turaga Levu - 138.8

DAY TWO

DAY TWO: The boats started returning from their fishing spots with their catch at 1630 hours on Friday.

FreeLance

La Moana

SaltWater One

Forceline

Adi Cagilaba

Kania Unloading their catch

Albert checking the lines and lures for Mango Bay Princess' catch (below).

Day Two Results

Opulence - 64.9
Mango Bay Princess - 187.2
Pearl One - nil
Saltwater One - 130.8
Xtasea - nil
Cagilaba - nil
La Moana - 31.5
Wai Tadra - 62.5
Kania - 174.3
Golden Eagle - 51.5
Freelance - 197
Forceline - nil
Turaga Levu - 138.8

Bruce Southwick of Kania with his 20.5kg Wahoo caught on a 10kg line.

Mango Bay Princess crew with their haul.

Opulence with Dave Aidney's 8kg Mahi Mahi caught on an 8kg line.

Rob Stephenson on Wai Tadra caught a 12.5kg walu on an 8kg line.

Wai Tadra crew

Risto on La Moana and his 10.5kg mahi on a 15kg line

Freelance with their wahoo catch

Saltwater with junior angle Jordan Whittaker's 17.8 wahoo caught on a 15 kg line.

Turaga Levu with their catch of the day.