The 7th Narooma Flathead Challenge took place on the weekend with a record 81 teams and 253 anglers competing.
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The fishing as always on Wagonga Inlet was challenging but there were plenty of dusky flathead of all sizes caught and released.
All parts of the inlet delivered with big fish caught both up the top around the oyster racks, as well as Forsters Bay and off the main channel.
The winning team was Team MABB consisting of Tom Boyton, Adam Kennedy, Dean Stapleton and Josh Goodall from the Queanbeyan area, who caught 16 flathead, the biggest of which was 79.5cm.
The boys said their secret was to stay near the start each morning and fish Forsters Bay right on the tide change.
In second place were previous comp winners John Didge and Paul Mayer of Team Jigman from Geelong.
The biggest fish was a big 83cm girl caught by Brad Baxter of Wagga Wagga up around the oyster leases at the top of the estuary using a Squidgie Grasshopper.
The best-dressed boat went to Team Hammerhead, consisting of Pete Burrows and Bretton Black from Canberra, who wore shark costumes, put shark fins on their boat and even played the Jaws theme.
The best bycatch award went to the angler who caught and released a protected 36cm black rockcod, which are rarely seen or caught, and there were several kingfish also caught and released including a legal-size 68cm fish hooked just off Taylor’s ramp.
The best local team in 7th place was Team Sika consisting of Darren and Riley Bowater, Mark Carradus and Johnny Rozs.
Other teams of note were the all-kids team The Mighty Minnows who fished again consisting of Digger Cowie, Abby Dawson and Baillie O'Brien.
And this year, there was an all-female team Fish ‘n Chips consisting of Bec Cavanagh, Julie Jones and Jo Hunter, although they didn’t catch a flathead all weekend and are planning a tropical holiday instead next year.
Narooma News journalist Stan Gorton was the only competitor to fish solo on his Hobie kayak and had an interesting experience on Saturday when a 50cm flathead latched on to a small snapper. The flathead made it all the way into his net and onto the tally board.
The competition is strictly lure only and catch-and-release with flathead measured and photographed on a brag mat using a numbered key-chain as verification.
The fishing competition is organised by O’Briens Hotel as a way of boosting the town economy at a typically slow time of year for tourism.
A fine bucket during the event and raffles at the presentation raised more than $5000 for the Starlight Foundation children’s charity.
Organiser, judge and local fishing guide Stuart Hindson thanked all the visiting anglers at the presentation at O’Briens Hotel on Sunday evening.
“A massive thanks to all the visiting anglers who came to Narooma, the town really appreciates it,” Mr Hindson said.