A RECORD breaking sign-on of 304 competitors ensured the 2018 Bulahdelah Bass Bash was one to be remembered.
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The weekend competition kicked off last Saturday morning with keen anglers staking out vantage points along the Myall and Crawford Rivers from 5.30am.
Fishing Club President Darren Carrall said with near perfect conditions, competitors were rewarded with some impressive catches.
“We could not have asked for better weather or fishing conditions,” he said.
“The bass in particular were of a very good quality and there were good hauls of many different species.”
In the Biggest Bass category, local angler Grant Bidgood once again proved hard to beat, claiming the men’s title after landing a 1.660kg bass.
Kerin Duncan scored a win in the women’s division with a 0.810kg catch and Jarred Baxter reeled in a 0.975kg bass to take out the junior section.
Darren said the cash prizes on offer for fishing out noxious carp were left unclaimed.
“We had no carp caught nor were there any sightings,” he said.
“They could be right up the river as the salinity levels are higher this year because of the lack of rainfall, but this could be an encouraging sign that our waterways are the best there are.”
In other sections, Kobi Watt reeled in a 3.690kg slippery catch to take out the Junior Eel Classic, narrowly defeating Michael Dorney by the smallest of margins.
Newcomer Gaige Genner landed the Junior Mullet title, Tom Evans bagged the Biggest Bream and Jessie Wallace won the Men’s Biggest Other Species with a 1.275kg mullet.
The annual Bulahdelah Bass Bash is run as part of a conservation program with profits from the event used to restock the local rivers with native bass fingerlings.
The Bulahdelah Fishing Club thank all their sponsors and competitors for making the 26th Bass Bash a success.
2018 Bulahdelah Bass Bash Results
Leplaw Perpetual Trophy: Men’s Biggest Bass
Sponsored by Bulahdelah Bowling Club
1st: Grant Bidgood 1.660kg, 2nd: Aaron Gilfillan 1.440kg, 3rd: Wayne Robertson 1.365kg
Ladies Biggest Bass
Sponsored by R&R Property
1st: Kerin Duncan 0.810kg, 2nd: Jackie Lavelle 0.575kg, 3rd: Sam Cater 0.530kg
Junior Biggest Bass
Sponsored by Bulahdelah Tyre and Mechanical
1st: Jarred Baxter 0.975kg, 2nd: Max Bignell 0.870kg, 3rd: Dylan Powick 0.795kg
Open Biggest Bream
Sponsored by BCF Lake Haven
1st: Tom Evans 0.860kg, 2nd: Josh Gregory 0.795kg, 3rd: Aaron Mosley 0.785kg
Junior Biggest Bream
Sponsored by Newcastle Plumbing & Gooch Agencies
1st: Lachlan Bills 0.590kg, 2nd: Jake Hedges 0.330kg, 3rd: Kye Hedges 0.325kg
Royce Dorney Perpetual Trophy: Men’s Biggest Other Species
Sponsored by S.A. Relf & Sons
1st: Jessie Wallace 1.275kg Mullet, 2nd: Warren Wright 1.220kg Mullet, 3rd Joel Clay: 1.210kg Mullet
Ladies Biggest Other Species
Sponsored by Charlestown Tackle Power
1st: Narelle Scott 1.435kg Mullet, 2nd: Melissa Smith 1.215kg Mullet, 3rd: Emily Kirkpatrick 0.995kg Mullet
Junior Biggest Mullet
Sponsored by A-Team Earthmoving
1st: Gaige Jenner 1.450kg, 2nd: Georgie Mulder 1.005kg, 3rd: Hayden Krohn 0.905kg
Topline Roofing Junior Eel Classic
1st: Kobi Watt 3.690kg, 2nd: Michael Dorney 3.680kg, 3rd: Lana Pringle 3.615kg
Encouragement Award
Sponsored by Team Flanno and Bulahdelah Bakery
1st: Teniesha Morris, 2nd: James Porter
By John SAHYOUN
Junior Eel Classic: Michael Dorney landed a 3.680kg eel. (right)
