December started with the annual Billfish Fishing Tournament, a 3 day event, held over 2 weekends which ended with the Fishing Club Christmas Party and tournament Prize Giving Ceremony. This years competition had more boats than ever before and the competition was going to be tough from the get go. This did not worry Captain Quirke, as the mighty Blah Blah! was up for the challenge.
Day 1 was perfect and we all headed out for the day, some of the big boats much further than the majority of the fleet. Everyone caught something - Jodie a Wahoo, Dyl a nice Mahi Mahi and Lyndon a Wahoo which was just under weight (lesson learnt don't bleed your fish).
Day 2 wasn't as flash weather wise and the mighty Blah Blah starter motor also jagged in so as she was pull start only. We decided to use our own back up and took out the High Comm boat Sikota for the day, just to be safe. The day wasn't as flash as we dropped a few and had a few minor mechanical problems too. Still, we did catch some tuna which went to a few good homes. Razak was the clear winner for the day with a nice sailfish and a marlin which just came in under weight.
Day 3 and what started out to be a ripper of a day also saw it become a bit windy for the small boats out wide, but because we had Sikota, we made a dash for it. This time we had passengers as we took out Attie and his boys as our wives were off TWISCing and the the boys hadn't hooked a fish in the previous two days. We headed to the northern banks and caught our fair share and thought everyone would also be killing it. It was a long run home as conditions worsened then, a few miles off Atatta we stopped in the water. After investigation and a quick McGuyver session we continued on home at high idle and limited fuel due the main fuel tanks suffering some major contamination. Our main engine supply ran out at the entrance to the marina so after a quick changeover we where back onto the auxiliary which also ran out about 3m from the clubhouse wharf. What a trip! The kids loved it and we made it with only minutes to spare. Everyone else had a hard day at the office, so did we, but not on the fishing side thankfully. To make things more interesting this was a national comp so the clubhouse from Vava'u were awaiting our final day results.
We are a social mob in Tonga as seen by this 3 day competition with 10 social events, to the point where we think we actually spent more time in the clubhouse than out on the water. There were 2 briefings, 3 BBQs and 3 daily prize givings, along with a boat Calcutta and then finally the Xmas Party. Great fun all round.
Pre-comp briefing at the Billfish Bar, always lots of fun with plenty of prizes up for grabs including fuel vouchers and your entry fee back. Tony, Neil and the rest of the fishing committee did a great job, along with the undying support of Liz and John from the Billfish.
With a rod almost twice his size, Dylan held his own and was hard at it for most of the day. Wearing his favourite hat "I Fish" from Uncle Ian.
So hard at it in fact, that, like usual, he had to have a little nap.
The first fish of the day for Jodie, a 9.8kg wahoo.
Then it was Lyndons turn.
Then Dylans.
By this stage he needed another nap, lucky we were on our way back in to the clubhouse, I can't imagine how comfortable it would have been up there.
Weigh in time, biggest fish for a female on Day 1.
One up for Dylan
Razaks sailfish being weighed in by Neil, the weigh master.
Dyl looking good for taking out the Mahi Mahi section..
The kids waiting for Attie to bring in the big one. Dylan was so happy to have his mates out fishing with him.
And here it is.
Stefan and Adrian were so excited as they had not caught large saltwater fish before.
A successful days catch, and one tired little Dylan. The final score 22 strikes,20 hook ups and16 fish.
Well rested, Dylan went out the back with Jamie to help fillet up the tuna for everyone to snack on.
Back the next afternoon for the Fishing Club Christmas party and the Tournament Prize giving ceremony. Talk about a stinking hot afternoon. But, as usual the weather turned and we all ended up with a refreshing little shower to cool us down.
Lucky the drinks were cold.
Santa and his helper getting ready to distribute the pressies to the kids.
Some very happy kiddies after the visit from the fat man.
Some big kids - Grade, Owen, Steve, Lyndon and Michael at the bar.
Everyone had to crowd on in when the rain came down.
Lyndon receiving his skippers prize, a 5L bottle of island made South Seas Rum.
Dylan won the junior prize, but missed out on the overall tournament prize by 700g, to a kid in Vava'u
Jodie won the overall ladies prize (thanks to a disqualification of someone else, oh well, a win is a win).
The Q family and Tony - winners are grinners.
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