Patience certainly paid off for the crew on board Riviera 56 Enclosed Flybridge, The Battler, who won the 2014 Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic, which was held from April 12 to 13.
Skippered by fishing guru Captain Bob Jones, who has more than 29 Cairns marlin seasons under his belt, the team on board The Battler was up against some of Port Lincoln’s and Adelaide’s finest and most experienced anglers. With more than 25 boats, including 12 Rivieras, catching and releasing 248 southern blue fin tuna weighing between 10 and 15.5 kilograms over the two-day tournament, The Battler certainly had some fierce competition.
Captain Bob Jones said in his 30 years experience he had learned a lot about patience.
“You never leave fish to find fish,” he said.
“The only advantage I think we had over the local anglers was experience fishing by sounder. When I marked the spots I would stay on them. You might get a bite and then it would go quiet for a while and then they come back. I never moved more than two miles over the whole two days because I was told the area was a good spot to fish, I trusted my sounder and we just hung in there.”
The team on board The Battler caught and released 48 tuna over the two days to win Champion Boat Overall. They also took out prizes for Champion Male Angler Overall (Tim Cooke), Runner-up Male Angler (Adrian Bothur), and Champion Boat Day One.
Event organiser Peter Teakle said the Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic was now the largest off-shore fishing tournament in Southern Australia.
“It is pleasing to see so many female and junior anglers participating in this event and this year we had a record 25 boats, including five trailer boats, compete in the tournament,” Mr Teakle said.
“This year we had 160 people attend the presentation dinner at the Port Lincoln Hotel Ballroom where we presented $14,000 worth of trophies to the winners and I look forward to presenting more trophies next year.
“My goal is to create a family friendly, professional and world-class game fishing tournament and I thank our sponsors, Riviera, R Marine South Australia, Yamaha, Shimano, Lexus and Club Marine for helping us achieve our goal of bringing the joy of game fishing to the whole family.”
At 7.30am on day one of the tournament, the historic tuna boat The Tacoma (circa 1948) led the fleet out of the Harbour with a spectacular sail past. When the classic tuna trawler, credited as being the founder of the Port Lincoln Tuna fishing industry, sounded her horn it marked the start of the race to Memory Cove and fishing begins at 9am.
Captain Bob Jones said he felt privileged to be invited to fish in this high calibre tournament and one of the highlights was skippering Mr Teakle’s 56 Enclosed Flybridge during the sail past.
“It is one of the most impressive boats I have ever driven in my life with 1500hp MTUs. Another highlight of the tournament was watching all the anglers fish because the excitement of game fishing comes alive when you have four hook ups at the same time,” he said.
The Runner up trophy was awarded to the team on board Majessnik, a 42 foot Riviera for catching and releasing 30 fish, Champion Trailer Boat was Liquid Asset for catching and releasing 16 fish, and Runner up Champion Trailer Boat went to Dark Star for catching and releasing eight fish.
The prize for the heaviest fish weighing 15.5 kilograms went to Peter Smyth on board Gladiator, Champion Male Angler went to Tim Cooke on The Battler for catching and releasing 16 fish. Runner Up Male Angler went to Adrian Bothur on The Battler for catching and releasing 14 fish. Champion Female Angler was awarded to Meghan Tapley on board Noble One for catching and releasing eight fish. Runner Up Female Angler went to Susan Tarbotton on board Tari for catching and releasing seven fish. Champion Junior Angler was awarded to Ben Kapur on board a trailer boat for catching and releasing six fish, and Runner Up Junior Angler went to Ryan Hazelgrove also on board a trailer boat for catching and releasing two fish.
Riviera’s director of brand and communications Stephen Milne said that Riviera was very proud of its long association with the Tuna Classic.
“Over the many years that we have enjoyed a strong association with Peter Teakle and the Tuna Classic it is gratifying to see people new to boating take up such a keen interest in fishing,” Mr Milne said.
“The Tuna Classic provides a very social and fun way for both serious sport fishing enthusiasts, as well as those new to the sport to come together to learn from each other and enjoy each other’s company. It is particularly gratifying to see a growing number of junior anglers in this tournament.
“Riviera would like to thank and praise Peter Teakle for his undying enthusiasm and passion to make the Tuna Classic nothing but the best offshore tournament in Australia.”
Event organisers are already planning next year’s Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic which will be held on the 11th and 12th of April and look forward to another successful event.
For more information, rules, guidelines and entry forms, contact ea@teakgroup.com.au
Riviera offers 15 different models from 36 to 75 feet across three model series Flybridge, Sport Yacht and the new SUV collection.
In 2012 Riviera celebrated the launch of its 5000th boat, the 445 SUV, a significant achievement in the company’s rich 34-year history.
Riviera also offers the bespoke Belize Motoryachts. Inspired by classic luxury details and timeless style, Belize Motoryachts has recently released the new 54-foot Sedan and Daybridge models.