Anglers smash record at Exmouth junior billfish comp

The Exmouth Game Fishing Club’s 2019 Australian Junior Billfish Tournament was held over October 3-5.

Unfortunately, strong winds limited the tournament to just a single day’s fishing on the Thursday, but the junior (11-15 year-old) and small fry (under 11-year-old) anglers had a great time enjoying some fantastic fishing.

In just that day’s fishing, the six teams and 15 anglers tagged and released 26 sailfish and one black marlin, which is the best single day of fishing recorded in the history of the Australian Junior Billfish Tournament.

Most of the action came from Exmouth Gulf where sailfish were rounding up baitballs, and teams had a great time enjoying the spectacular antics of a hooked sailfish before placing a tag and releasing it.

Winning teams were team On Strike with anglers Stefan Helberg and Trent Gregory who took out the junior and overall sections, team Nail It with anglers Zac and Jake Owens who won the small fry section, and team Cin Bin with anglers Ethan and Jaxon Kabelka and Lachie Morton who won the mixed section.

Special mention should also go to Ethan Kabelka, Stefan Helberg and Zepplin Famlonga for tagging and releasing their first billfish during the tournament, which is a big milestone in any angler’s life.