ONE of the most popular and biggest angling competitions in the Border area was fought out at the Buffalo River recently.
The Monster Angling Competition saw about 150 anglers take to the water in 70 boats as they vied to win some of the many prizes on offer, worth about R50000 in total.
Unfortunately for all the competitors and the organisers the main prize, a tagged non-edible fish, was not caught which meant the R40000 prize was not won.
There was some big catches on the day, with Ray Rudman’s 35.29kg spearnose leading the way.
The heaviest edible fish was caught by Shaun Spencely, a kob weighing 6.8kg.
Bank angler Craig Tatchel with his 5.37kg kob was the heaviest fish caught in the section.
The heaviest fish for a junior was a Sweet William shark of 12.60kg pulled in by Nicholas Clark.
Top Lady was Kayla Kriek, with an Eagle Ray of 14.87kg and the top senior angler was JP Bouice, with an Eagle Ray of 24kg.
The total weight of fish caught and released for the Monster competition was 493.4kg
Tony Moodley, chairman of Border Light Tackle Boat Association, organisers of the event, thanked the public for supporting this prestigious event, and added a special thank you to all the sponsors.
He also thanked the GO! & Express for covering the event. “Thanks for promoting our sport. We are looking for more people to get involved in our sport [angling].
“We do also have a development programme for those who have never done it before. So we want to encourage people to come out and bring their kids as this is a way for them to get active. Fishing teaches you a new set of skills and they [children] can jump on a boat and spend time outdoors instead of in front of the TV,” Moodley said.
He is currently in the Border team taking part in the South African national angling compe- tition in Port Elizabeth this week.
