GTPopping.com - Giant Trevally, GTPopping, Topwater & GT Fly-Fishing Resource
General => General Topwater & Jigging Discussion => Topic started by: Doug Lindsay on February 13, 2013, 07:01:02 PM
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GT Fever in the Whitsundays is a Giant Trevally only tournament put together by a few diehard sportfisherman who regularly fish the reef for the mighty GT.
This year will be the inaugural event and guess what- You can come too!
Briefing is Friday 3rd May. Fishing will commence Saturday Morning and cease Sunday afternoon (times tba)
There are a couple of different categories and the rules are nice and simple.its really just all about a bunch of like minded GT nuts, getting together fo a weekend of targeting that fish we all love. How cool is that!
Number 1 on the list of rules and regs is that this is a catch and release comp only. No one wants to see piles of dead GTs at the "weigh-in". The fish that are to be "presented" for points are to be photograhed on a (wet) brag mate and quickly released. I'm sure we are all good with that.
Rule 2 is that fish are only eligible if they are caught on artificial lures. Sorry bait boys, leave the pillies at home!
Any line class or type (Braid/Mono) may be used, but GTs must be min 60cm (nose to fork of tail) to qualify for points.
That's about it. Easy.
There will be 3 gongs to aim for:
Biggest (longest) GT and runner up
Most GTs caught by an individual and runner up
Champion team (most GTs divided by number of anglers on boat) and runner up team.
Entry will be $50 which covers a snag in a bag on the Friday night briefing, a solid meal during the Sunday night presentation and the rest will go towards the trophies etc. Its important to note, this event is not about cash prizes or big prizes. Its about FUN!
For further information contact Ash Matthews (Seafever Sportfishing Whitsundays) via email [email protected]
See you there!
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Hi Doug,
Sounds interesting, being early May I assume it will be blowing 25 knots. My current boat wouldn't get past Pioneer Rock. You reckon you could organise biggest mud crab for me as plan B??? biggest steak at KC's???
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Sounds pretty sweet. I'll start justifying a weekend away with the boat without the missus, and see if i cant tee some up a couple of boat fillers.
If the weather comes up ok I'm keen to drag the tub up the road.
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Graham, I reckon the biggest Mud Crab idea is a winner! (Conditions apply: All Crabs become the property of the competition committee) :)
Would be fantastic to see some gtpopping guys along.
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Booked and Confirmed Doug,
Request a West Coast versus East Coast division in comp :o
Also another one of these Big Black G's from that area would be nice...
(http://s11.postimage.org/hngw1s6an/DSCN1508.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/hngw1s6an/)
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Fantastic Tony! Can't wait to catch up with you, Ash has told me a lot about ya (mostly good, but the innapropriate touching is a worry ;)
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See you there Doug looking forward to it mate.
Inappropriate touching nothing to suss at all really Doug well Geoff thought it was okay.. ::)
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Lol! Crackin fish there btw.
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Awesome idea, definitely keen but timing and issue - will see!
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Hey Doug I reckon myself and a few mates will make the trip down. Is there a check in on the Saturday night or is it just Friday check in then the Sunday weigh in?
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Good one mate, the more the merrier! I believe there won't be a check in Saturday, but if you check with Ash Matthews (its his comp-im just an unofficial "spokesperson") he can confirm that for you. Sounds like numbers are building nicely.
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Only the one weigh in hey. That actually works out ok, as I'm currently thinking I'll base myself out of hamo for the weekend. It'll give the girl something to do during the day.pretty convenient to not have to go back to mainland everyday.
I'm keen, but I do have one question... Down here is mackay he GT's completely shut down in cool weather. We're only talking 50-60nm away, are they still quite active up there in cooler weather?
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I have seen them pretty thick and very active in shoalwater in the middle of winter and the same up around cairns/cardwell. So there should still be a bit going on I would think! The only thing I would be worried about is the south easterlies!
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ALWAYS worried about the south easterlies! :-\
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Yeah the trip down will depend on the weather for us as well... But if there is anything less than 20 knots we are in!
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Hmm, the weather! Yeah it could get blown out, but that could be said for any time up north. At least the climate is pleasant in May!!
I've fished the outer reef off Airlie in each season and couldn't say which is best. You have your good and bad days year round I reckon, but I'm not any sort of local guru.
Guy, your idea of being based at Hammo is tops! I took my trailerboat in for just a few hours on a day trip last year and found the Harbour guys great to deal with. I will be staying out on the reef, rafting up with the SeaFever guys. Mates have got the boat booked for the comp, so it should be a great night, sharing a few stories over a cold one :D
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It is what it is Doug we just got blowin out at Exmouth now look at it up there for the comp.
Got a nice arsenal of sinking stickbaits if it does chop up and 8'2 wild violence to get that extra distance.
Looking forward to it 8)
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Cracker photo mate! Great lighting.
Booked and Confirmed Doug,
Request a West Coast versus East Coast division in comp :o
Also another one of these Big Black G's from that area would be nice...
(http://s11.postimage.org/hngw1s6an/DSCN1508.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/hngw1s6an/)
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Good day gentlemen!
How many of you are counting down the days before this great event???
Ive had an update from Ash Matthews (Seafever Sportfishing and also Da Man when it comes to this comp) Ive just cut and paste it, so if youve got any further enquiries, feel free to throw him a line, or have a chat with him. Ash LOVES his GTs, so your amongst friends ;)
Take it away Ash:
Just a reminder to all lovers of the great GT that the inaugural "GT Fever
in the Whitsundays" comp is almost upon us. Running over the long weekend in
May 4/5th it's a great opportunity to mix it with a bunch of like minded
anglers in pursuit of the great fish!
Rules are basic and here's a quick run down.
No bait allowed all fish must be caught on artificials.
The fishing grounds are open but teams must attend the Friday night briefing
and teams need to be at the presentation Sunday to receive any trophies!
The biggest gt by length will be the champion angler with also a runner up
award.
A prize given for the individual angler that catches the most gts (minimum
size if 60cm to qualify) and a runner up.
The most gts caught by a team and a runner up team.
All fish are to be photographed on a brag mate then released.
Anglers should note that not only is there the Great Barrier Reef at the
door step but the Whitsunday islands and coast line also hold good numbers
of quality gt's.
if you have never been to the whitsundays before you owe it to yourself as
it really is one if the greatest boating/fishing and marine locations in the
country. teams are encouraged to raft up on the Saturday night either at the
reef or the islands if the weather is suitable. It should be a great weekend
and with the public holiday on the Monday there is no need to rush home
after the Sunday presentation as the bar will be open until late!
$50 entry gets you a sausage sizzle on the Friday briefing night a feed on
the Sunday presentation and all the trophies. Briefing and presentation will
be at the wgfc clubhouse which is the host club but the comp is open to the
public. More info can be found at www.gtfever.com.au or email ash
[email protected]
Ok, so im not sure about Monday being a public holiday, but hey, we can always declare it "National GT appreciation day"or something :p
Im towing my boat upfrom Brisbane on Thursday 2nd, so if anyones interested in making it a convoy, flick me a pm or my email is [email protected]
Catch you there!
pic from earlier this week
(http://s21.postimg.org/l28aqtwdf/977.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/l28aqtwdf/)
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Isn't the Monday holiday May Day / Labour Day?
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Nice initiative guys. Good luck! 8)
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Thanks Luke! The purpose of this years comp is to test the water with a view of really ramping it up for next year. AGTT series perhaps :) ??
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Guys,
Had a meeting with Ash today and can announce- Its time to sign up! Official entry form are now available ([email protected]) The other exciting news is there will be a limited release Polo shirt available to buy as a keepsake to remember the awesome time you are going to have!! A really nice quality bit of gear that will have the ladies weak at the knees ;) So far, there's been interest from about 15 teams for the event, including a few "well known anglers". Make sure you don't miss it- get your entry today.
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What.........no monogrammed undies this time?????
(http://s8.postimg.org/mj2pyfh9d/IMG_2435.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/mj2pyfh9d/)
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OMG! I'm out of the closet now by the looks of it! How about "what happens at Flinders Reef, stays at Flinders Reef"??!
(http://s7.postimg.org/3kd6rxmfr/GT_Fever_Polo_shirt_proof.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3kd6rxmfr/)
Here's what the GTfever shirts will look like. The lingerie line has been shelved due to lack of demand...
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Practice makes perfect.
Big Reefedge 160 moves some water in anticipation for some action next week end ;D
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I'm taking more of a land based approach to my preparations!
(http://s23.postimg.org/ndm7fjn9z/Brisbane_20130427_00694.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ndm7fjn9z/)
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Long range forecast not looking healthy will there be a reschedule if its blowing?
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15-20s sat and 10-15 sun. Perfect for some popping.
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Yeah, I vote reschedule. This is not weather conducive to a happy weekend on the water.
Up here, somewhere after August is better with bigger tides, warming water, and better typical wind patterns
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What's wrong with that weather? Not every comp can be 5knots, need to fish it for what it is on the day! Anything above 25s they need to consider the safety of course. Sundays weather is looking good.
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Currently waiting for the ferry on daydream island blowing 25 kn gustting to 30 not pleasant on the water. .
The bar is all right tho :)
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Easily 25s today in airlie
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Dropping out really quickly now at Capricorn Coast......if that's any help?
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Trust me boys, it was a good decision to put the comp off! I still went up to Airlie, and conditions were pretty ordinary. We fished (very casually) the islands Saturday for a donut and smashed out to the reef for more of the same. It was rubbish!
The real highlight was to catch up with Tony at the Saturday night raft up in Nara Inlet. Cracker night! He might like to post up his own version of events?
Once the new dates have been announced, I will fire up a new post.