To quote old mate Peter Dienhoff: “Hello dry season”.
Peter was texting to let me know that Darwin Game Fishing Club’s Dundee Billfish Bash had been postponed from the scheduled date of 22-24 April to the weekend of 6-7 May.
“This decision was made after considering the weather forecast for this weekend, which predicts winds of 15-18 knots,” Peter explained.
“This is a family-orientated event and competitors’ safety is paramount.
“The briefing night has also been rescheduled and will now be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday 2 May at the Darwin Trailer Boat Club.
“It’s not too late to get your entries in, and there’s also a raffle on the night which has a Shimano 18000 Saragosa, Travel Buddy 12V marine oven and Companion Extreme Esky up for grabs,” Peter said.
In this event, teams are permitted to help small children to hook their fish and assist in the fight, but the junior must wind the reel with a hooked fish on the end.
Entry is $40 per adult and $20 per junior, or a family entry for $100.
The Billfish Bash was set to run simultaneously with the first round of the 2023 Penn Top End Billfish Series.
A post on its Facebook page reads: “Unfortunately, we are going to be postponing the first round of the Top End Billfish Series by two weeks to keep it in line with the DGFC Billfish Bash and try to keep numbers up in both comps.
“With the weather forecast over the weekend, it wouldn’t be enjoyable for anyone.”
Top End Billfish Series co-ordinator, Douglas Saunders, said: “Sorry to those of you who have booked leave from work.
“This will be the only round date that will be changed for the remainder of the series.
“I will let you know when we set a date for the briefing night and teams can collect their kit bags for all teams entered.
“Also, it’s not too late to sign up and register a team; just flick us a message or grab an entry form from any of the local tackle shops.
“Email topendbillfishseries@outlook.com.au or I can send you an entry form if required,” Douglas said.
For further information on the Dundee Billfish Bash, email info@darwingamefishingclub.com.au or visit the Facebook page for the Darwin Game Fishing Club.
Entry Forms are now available from major tackle stores.
Meanwhile, today is the last day of the NT Barra Nationals down the Daly River.
The tournament got off to a great start with the faster boats grabbing the best feeder creeks first.
The river rose by nearly 4m last week but has been dropping steadily this week.
The bigger tides today should see more big fish up the river.
Just about all teams have Active Live Target technology which definitely helps you catch more fish.
Ben and Max MacFarlane had a good day in Darwin Harbour catching a bunch of barras and mixed species.
Ben MacFarlane with his terrific harbour goldie caught on a soft plastic prawn.
Andrew Haniford caught this 104cm barra fishing with Mousies Barra and Bluewater Fishing Charters.
