Taken place on April 6 and 7, the 2013 Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic was marked by record game fishing results. According to Event organiser Peter Teakle, a total number of 897 tuna were caught and released at this year’s tournament, which he believed was a provisional new world record.
Champion boat was awarded to Bryan Stokes and his team on board Riviera 70 Flybridge Yacht C'World for their catch of 125 tuna
“We have sent the results off to the International Game Fishing Association in Florida because I believe we have set a new world record,” Mr Teakle said.
“We also had a record 20 boats compete in this year’s Classic and 155 people attended the presentation dinner making the Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic one of the largest offshore game fishing tournaments in Australia.”
Fishing is over two days from 9am until 6pm on Saturday and 8am until 3pm on Sunday and takes place within a stipulated fishing zone to ensure a level and affordable playing field. This also helps to keep the tournament more social as competitors anchor up together in one of the secluded bays of the many islands located within the fishing zone. Each team consists of four anglers who may interchange with a skipper or deckhand.
There was a lot of fishing action this year with 897 tuna caught and released
The Tuna Classic begins with a spectacular sail past and dramatic start as the lead boat, the historic Tacoma, the classic 60 year old Tuna trawler credited as being the founder of the Port Lincoln Tuna fishing industry sounds her horns, which indicates the commencement of the race to Memory Cove and the preparations to start fishing at 9am.
Mr Teakle said his goal was to create a family friendly, professional and world-class game fishing tournament. “Riviera has a philosophy of getting the whole family involved with boating as much as they have a philosophy of all Riviera boat owners being part of one big global family. So when we were asked to take over this tournament three years ago, we decided to make this a true family event. I thank our sponsors Riviera, Musto, Shimano and Club Marine for helping us achieve our goal of bringing the joy of game fishing to the whole family,” Mr Teakle said.
The trophy for Champion Boat was awarded to the team on board Bryan Stokes’ Riviera 70 Enclosed Flybridge yacht C’World for catching and releasing 125 tuna over 780 millimetres in length.
Tournament qualifying Southern Bluefin Tuna must be 780 millimetres from the hook of the tail to the nose of the fish, which equates to about 10 kilograms or line matching fish. Aluminium rods are made to this length for ease of quick measurement and were supplied to each competing boat along with their tournament bag.
At the sound of the Tacomas horns the race to Memory Cove begins
Mr Stokes has competed in the Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic since its inception eight years ago. He said it was a real thrill to land 125 tuna over the two day tournament. “It was just a fun tournament, we had such a ball and we can’t wait to do it again next year,” Mr Stokes said.
“Game fishing gives you the buzz of the unexpected and very few people get to experience it. Tuna fishing is very exciting because pound for pound, the tuna is a fighting fish, sometimes they almost pull you overboard. They are not a big fish but they have a lot of fight in them.
“Peter and his partner Nina do a wonderful job organising the tournament and the trophies are magnificent. Everyone from the winning boat teams receive a trophy as a classy memento.
“I was proud to have the biggest Riviera in the tournament and what I like more than anything else about my Riviera is that it makes me feel safe when I am offshore. It is truly luxury fishing and boating.”
The historic Tacoma launched in 1944 was the official tournament start boat
The Runner up trophy was awarded to the team on board Majessnik, a 42 foot Riviera for catching and releasing 107 fish. Champion male angler went to Elio Auciello on Majessnik for catching and releasing 43 fish. Runner up male angler went to Rick Tidswell on Riviera 42 Jazz2 for catching and releasing 37 fish. Champion female angler was awarded to Meghan Tapley on board Riviera 4000 Noble One for catching and releasing 29 fish. Runner up female angler went to Susan Tarbotton on board Riviera 56 Tari for catching and releasing 22 fish. Champion junior angler was awarded to Pamela Platt on board Noble One for catching and releasing 19 fish and runner up went to Bailey Godwin on board Tari Two for catching and releasing nine fish.
Riviera’s director of brand and communications Stephen Milne said that Riviera was very proud of its long association with the Tuna Classic. “Over the many years that we have enjoyed a strong association with the Tuna Classic it is gratifying to see people new to boating take up such a keen interest in fishing,” Mr Milne said.
“The Tuna Classic provides a very social and fun way for both serious sport fishing enthusiasts, as well as those new to the sport to come together to learn from each other and enjoy each other’s company. It is particularly gratifying to see a growing number of junior anglers in this tournament.
“Riviera would like to thank and praise Peter Teakle and his partner Nina Mattingley for their undying enthusiasm and passion to make the Tuna Classic nothing but the best offshore tournament in Australia.”
A record 20 boats competed in the 2013 Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic
Event organisers are already planning next year’s Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic which will be held on the 3rd and 4th of May 2014 and look forward to another successful event.
