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.
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".
Vinaka Vaka Levu to Horace Gock of Turaga Levu for your video and photos!
Golden Eagle - 1st placeHighest 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!
Adi Cagilaba with their catch, Albert Threadingham checking their lines.
La Moana with their sail fish
Risto brought in the 45.9 sail fish on a 15kg line
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.
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
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.
Opulence Crew
Crew of La Moana
Wai Tadra Crew
Crew for Golden Eagle
Tag and Release - George Trinkler on Golden Eagle
Tag and Release - Zahib Ruzak on Golden Eagle
Salt Water Junior Anglers
Mango Bay Princess Crew
Crew on Freelance
The Forceline crew
Cagilaba crew
The Pearl One
Bruce Southwick for Kania
The line up for FRESH FISH and sashimi prepared by Gourmet Foods.
Max Munch-Collingwood of La Moana with his catch of the day!
Albert Threadingham set off the flare...
... and thirteen boats began their first day of fishing in this three day tournament.
It looked to be a fine day for fishing.
The thirteen boats participating are:
BOATS PARTICIPATING AND CAPTAINS
#1 Opulence - Kapena Nelson (Riviera Fiji)
#2 Mango Bay Princess - Llew Boddam-Whetham (Westbank Gang)
#3 Pearl 1 - Eddy Phillips
#4 Saltwater 1 - Brett Whittacker (Team Saltwater)
#5 Nauvasha - Josaia Mar (Kalavo Club)
#6 Adi Cagilaba - John Morgan
#7 La Moana - Rene Munch (Uprising 1)
#8 Wai Tadra - Rob Stephenson
#9 Kania - Bruce Southwick (Defending Champions)
#10 Golden Eagle - George Trinkler (Fosters Fiji)
#11 Freelance - Mark Wyborn
#12 Forceline - Pene Reiley (Uprising Two)
#13 Turaga Levu - Geoff Gibson (Sustainable Mahogany Industries)
ANGLERS and CLUB MEMBERS
OPULENCE
1. Kapena Nelson
2. Ben Doggett
3. David Aidney
4. Craig McElrath
5. Lyn Salvedge (L)
CAGILABA
6. Harvey Probert
7. John Morgan
8. Jason Morgan
9 Stephan Schubert
MANGO BAY PRINCESS
10. Llew Boddam-Whetham
11. David Murray
12. Darren Cook
PEARL 1
13. Les Crossingham
14. Jaga Crossingham
15. Chris Taylor
16. Andrew Browne
SALTWATER 1
17. Brett Whittacker
18. Jordan Whittacker
19. Andrew Vernes (J)
20. Ben Vernes (J)
XTASEA
21. Jo Mar
22. Jim Boyd
23. Bart Degen
LA MOANA
24. Tui Stone
25. Cina Munch (L)
26. Risto Harmat
27. Courtney Kruse (L)
28. Marika
29. Max Collingwood (J)
WAI TADRA
30. John Lawrence
31. Peter Hawkins
32. Rob Stephenson
33. Elle Stephenson (L)
KANIA
34. Bruce Southwick
35. Geoff Eden
36. Justin Smith
37. Max Oyagawa
38. Stan Slater
39. Martin Ashton
GOLDEN EAGLE
40. George Trinkler
41. Zoheb Razak
42. Gordon Elliot
43. Imtiaz Sahu Khan
44. Glen Boatwright
45. John Tikoikadavu
FREELANCE
46. Mark Wyborn
47. Colin Crisp
48. Simon Deakin
FORCELINE
49. Stix Riley
50. Eddie Bati
51. Pene Riley
52. Ropate Bati
TURAGA LEVU
53. Chris Donlon
54. Geoff Gibson
55. Darcy Gibson (J)
56. Rusty Phillips
57. Horace Gock
58. Kenny Kristofferson
Vinaka Vaka Levu to all the sponsors for this years tournament.
Major Sponsors
Riviera Yachts Fiji
Shimano
Local Sponsors
Asia Pacific Management
Beqa Adventure Divers
Black Sheep Lanolin
Eden and Associates
Fiji Coffee
Fiji Gas
Fiji Ministry of Youth and Sports
Fiji Palms
Fiji Water
Fosters Fiji
Gourmet Foods
Hemisphere Freight
Hot Springs Hotel
Jetski Safari
John Beater Enterprises
Kamikaze Lures
Kumurans Diner
LawHill Wines
Mcdonalds
Marine Power Services
Mokosoi Soap
Pacific Sun Airlines
Perkins Pizza
Rajeevs Service Station
Rivers Fiji
South Seas Treasures
Taubmans Fiji
The Lagoon Resort
The Lighthouse
The Oasis
The Pearl South Pacific Resort
Uprising Beach Resort
Zip Fiji
Hi Everyone,
Just a quick message to establish if any anglers/teams would like to reserve accommodation here at the Pacific Safari Club during the Pacific Harbour International Gamefishing Tournament. Our rates are as follows:
Private Twin/Dbl $65.00 per night
Four Share $30 per person/per night
Dormitory $25.00 per person/per night (min 4 pax)
We do have a dock to pull up to, keeping in mind this is only intended for smaller boats due to the bridge restrictions. Also, do let us know if you would like to purchase any busa, ice or fishing gear from our tackle shop (Xtasea Tackle).
Hope to hear from you soon,
Best regards,
Beck
safariclub@connect.com.fj
THE INVITATIONAL INTERNATIONAL GAME FISHING TOURNAMENT 2008
In Association with
You are invited to THE INVITATIONAL INTERNATIONAL GAME FISHING TOURNAMENT 2008 organized by the International Game fishing Club and based at The Pearl Resort,
25 - 29 June 2008.
TO ENTER. Please return this invitation by email, then mail your entry fee and completed Entry Form (attached). Acceptances will be registered strictly in order of receipt of Entry Form and full payment as entries are limited.
PLEASE ACT IMMEDIATELY
DATES
Wednesday 25th June 2008 - Team Briefing ,Calcutta & Buffet
Mantaray Restaurant
Fishing Tournament over 3 days
Thursday 26th June 2008 )
Friday 27th June 2008 ) 3 FISHING DAYS
Saturday 28th June 2008 )
Sunday 29th June 2008 - Prizing Giving Luncheon
Mantaray Restaurant
VENUE
All tournament activities will be at The Pearl Resort,
LINE CLASS
IGFA Categories of 37kgs, 24kgs,15kgs,10kgs,8kgs. Records will be considered on 6kg & 4kgs but for tournament points purposes these will be recorded as 8kgs. The IGFC recommends IGFA approved line.
ANGLERS
Minimum of 3 and Maximum of 6 per boat.
TOURNAMENT TROPHY & PRIZE CATEGORIES
Champion Male Angler
Runner Up Male Angler
Third Highest Scoring Male Angler
Champion Lady Angler
Champion Junior Angler
Heaviest Billfish
Heaviest Tuna
Heaviest Wahoo
Heaviest Walu
Heaviest Mahi Mahi.
Prizes for National Records
ACCOMMODATION.
Accommodation is available at The Pearl South Pacific 3450022, Pacific Safari Club 3450498, The Uprising Beach Resort 3452200, Tsulu Arts Village3450065, & we suggest you make arrangements ASAP.
Please request Anglers rates when booking.
CATERING
Additional food & refreshments will be available at the weigh in area.
Rafting of boats will be necessary as in previous years.
A refuelling facility will be available dockside as last year.
CONTACT
SEND YOUR PAYMENT TO -
International Game Fishing Club
Telephone +(679) 3450498 or 9927123
Email igfclub@gmail.com
REMEMBER THIS IS A FIRST IN, FIRST PAID TOURNAMENT WITH LIMITED ENTRIES. REPLY TO THIS EMAIL IMMEDIATELY, THEN SEND FULL PAYMENT AND COMPLETED ENTRY FORM.
If your entry is too late your payment will be refunded.
THE INVITATIONAL INTERNATIONAL GAME FISHING TOURNAMENT 2008
In Association with
Team Name …………………………………………………………………
Boat Name …………………………………………………………………
Team Captain………………………………T Shirt Size…………………
Address……………………………………………………………………….
Telephone…………………………….Mobile……………………………..
Email…………………………………..Signature….………………………
Additional Anglers
2. Name……………………………………… T Shirt Size ……………….
3. Name……………………………………… T Shirt Size………………..
4.Name…………………………………….....T Shirt Size……………….
5. Name……………………………………… T Shirt Size……………….
6. Name……………………………………….T Shirt Size……………….
Junior Angler (under 16)
Name ………………………………………...T Shirt Size………………
Non Fishing Guests
1……………………………………………2………………………………..
3……………………………………………4………………………………..
Entry Fees
Team Entry (4 Anglers) FJ $800
Additional Anglers (Max 2 per team ) $200 pp
Non Fishing Guests $100 pp
All anglers must be members of the International Game Fishing Club. Membership fees are $20 for individuals and $30 for families. International membership is $50.
Total Fj $..................... Date…………….
All social functions are included in the entry fees for all anglers and non fishing guests. All payments are to be made to the International Game Fishing Club in Fijian dollars by bankers draft or bank cheque. Personal cheques from international entries are unable to be accepted.
Completed Entry Form and Fees are to be sent to :
International Game Fishing Club
Or delivered to
Brad Cupit or Rob Krause
Pacific Safari Club
