Tuna record for Katie

Katie on way to tuna record

The Southern Gamefish Club held the R.  L. Welding Far South Classic on the weekend of November 15-16th off Southport.

Thirteen boats and 47 anglers hit the water with Southern Bluefin Tuna their main target and the good weather allowed most to head out to the hot spot of Pedra Branca.

Saying that, the fishing was tough going, the tuna were about but hard to entice to bite, but those who did get interest got rewarded.

The best result went to club secretary Katie Russell who landed the heaviest SBT of the competition which weighed 80.4kg cleaned and 89.4kg on 24 kg line which is also a pending Tasmanian State Record on that line class in the female category.

The previous record was held by young gun Chloe Hammersley with a SBT weighing 80.7kg which was caught back in July 2015.

For twenty-six years Katie has chased a similar-size SBT without a lot of success but persistence obviously pays off and she is now potentially a State record holder.

Other awards were as follows.

Heaviest Tuna Captured Saturday – Male: Craig Shipton – Team “AWOL” – SBT 64.1kg on 37kg line.

Highest Point Score Tuna – Female: Tyla Hepburn – Team “Sonic” – 335 Points – SBT 53.6 kg on 24kg line class.

Highest Point Score Tuna – Male: Corry Goodluck – Team “Let Loose” – 433.12 Points – SBT 69.4kg on 24kg line.

Highest Point Score Team was won by Team “Let Loose” – Rodney Goodluck, Corry Goodluck, Marty Palfraymen & Andrew Terry – 690.14 Points – ×2 SBT – 63.4 kg on 37kg line & 69.3 kg on 24kg line.

The Southern Gamefish Club will host the East Coast Classic in March 2026 and also the Far South Classic again in May 2026.

Family day at junior fishing pond

The New Norfolk Licensed Anglers Association is hosting the Southern Licensed Anglers Associations Family Day BBQ at its junior fishing pond this Sunday the 30th of November.

The day provides an opportunity just for STLAA club members to get together and the kids can cast a line to try and catch a trout or two.

If you're not a member of an STLAA club simply join prior or on the day and the NNLAA can accommodate you there too.

The day starts at 10 am, finishing at around 3 pm and some fishing gear will be provided for the kids if they haven't got any plus a BBQ and refreshments will be available for lunch as well.

As usual, dress for the weather and if you're not familiar with the area keep an eye out for the NNLAA sign signalling the spot at 10 Acre Lane, Bushy Park.

The Ulverstone Anglers Club are hosting their annual Ladies and Kids Day events on 13 and 14 December 2025 at Hiscutt Park at Penguin.

This year marks the 20-year anniversary of the Ladies Day event with the day a licence-free event.

Entry is by gold coin donation with a BBQ plus food and drinks available to purchase but note registration is required.

For more information and to register please call Phillip Charlesworth on 0400 512 832.

Tip Of The Week – When you're looking to buy expensive fishing gear like reels and rods, check their warranties. A lengthy all-inclusive warranty is a sign that the manufacturer stands by the quality of their products.

Send in your fishing reports, pics and tips to valleyfishes@gmail.com.

Tight Lines until next week.