BILLFISH STATS GAMEX 2018
797-594-307
231 black marlin
11 blue marlin
2 striped marlin
63 sailfish
-36 teams targeting billfish
-20 targeting species
-56 boats in total.
797-594-307
231 black marlin
11 blue marlin
2 striped marlin
63 sailfish
-36 teams targeting billfish
-20 targeting species
-56 boats in total.
GAMEX RESULTS LINE CLASS
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 1kg
Winner: Matti Groth 6.36kg Queenfish 636 points
Runner-up: Kade Ross 5.49kg Queenfish 549 points
3rd: Matti Groth 5.17kg Shark Mackerel 517 points
4th: Matti Groth 4.78kg Queenfish 478 points
5th: Jason Hornhardt 4.45kg Mahi Mahi 445 points
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 2kg
Winner: Richard Horlock 9.35kg NB Mackerel 467.50 points
Runner-up: Kade Ross 8.11kg Golden Trevally 405.50 points
3rd: Jesse Sutton 7.26kg Golden Trevally 363 points
4th: Jake Fitzgerald 6.29kg Queenfish 314.50 points
5th: Scott Turrell 5.60kg Queenfish 280 points
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 3kg
Winner: Jason Hornhardt 15.81kg NB Mackerel 527 points
Runner-up Anna Passmore 11.11kg NB Mackerel 370.33 points
3rd: Matti Groth 7.21kg NB Mackerel 240.33 points
4th: Jason Hornhardt 6.41kg NB Mackerel 213.67 points
5th: Jason Hornhardt 6.20kg Rainbow Runner 206.67 points
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 4kg
Winner: Jake Fitzgerald 15.40kg NB Mackerel 385 points
Runner-up: Mick Grasso 11.62kg Cobia 290.50 points
3rd: Jesse Sutton 8.85kg Barracuda 221.25 points
4th: Nick Horlock 8.85kg NB Mackerel 202.20 points
5th: Jesse Sutton 7.61kg Golden Trevally 190.25 points
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 6kg
Winner: Kade Ross 10.62kg Wahoo 177 points
Runner-up: Matti Groth 9.03kg NB Mackerel 150.50 points
3rd: Kade Ross 7.43kg Yellowfin Tuna 123.83 points
4th: Jesse Sutton 6.90kg Wahoo 115 points
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 8kg
Winner: Jason Hornhardt 13.20kg NB Mackerel 165 points
Runner-up Vacant
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 10kg
Winner: Matti Groth 21.62kg Barracuda 216.20 points
Runner-up: Rick Morehead 17.45kg Wahoo 174.50 points
3rd: Rick Morehead 12.25kg Wahoo 122.50 points
HPS Billfish weighed in on 1-15kg
VACANT
Heaviest Billfish weighed in on 24-60kg
VACANT
GAMEX RESULTS ANGLERS
Champion Angler Small Fry
Winner: Harvey Mitchell 1200 points 5 L/C 1 Species Swamp Donkey
Runner-up: Max Grasso 400 points 1 L/C 1 Species In Deep
Champion Angler Junior
Winner: Jesse Sutton 5130.50 points 11 L/C 9 Species Got Im On
Runner-Up: Jake Fitzgerald 4508.33 points 7 L/C 5 Species In Deep
3rd: Callum Horlock 2480.83 points 9 L/C 6 Species Chaos
4th: Riley Smith 1800 points 2 L/C 2 Species Azura
5th: Trent Gregory 1200 points 2 L/C 1 Species Bullistic
Champion Angler Female
Winner: Anna Passmore 3940.67 points 7 L/C 4 Species Pullin Skirt
Runner-Up: Dianne Norkett 2000 points 3 L/C 2 Species Stormy
3rd: Andrea Kennedy 1800 points 2 L/C 2 Species On Strike ll
4th: Teagan Witcher 1200 points 2 L/C 1 Species On Strike ll
5th: Ayesha Salkild 1156.33 points 5 L/C 3 Species Muddy
Champion Angler Male
Winner: Kade Ross 6495.83 points 11 L/C 11 Species Pussee Galore
Runner-Up: Jason Hornhardt 5047.67 points 7 L/C 7 Species Seatrix
3rd: Matt Arscott 4112.00 points 9 L/C 6 Species Awesum
4th: Matti Groth 2852.57 points 4 L/C 4 Species Salty Pup
5th: Ben Punch 2300 points 3 L/C 2 Species Azura
Champion Anger Small Fry Tag & Release Billfish
VACANT
Champion Angler Junior Tag & Release Billfish
Winner: Riley Smith 8 Tags 3800 points
Runner-Up: Jake Fitzgerald 4 Tags 1800 points
3rd: Trent Gregory 4 tags 1600 points
4th: Jesse Sutton 2 tags 900 points
5th: Will Roche 1 tag 200 points
Champion Angler Female Tag & Release Billfish
Winner: Jo Ann Riley 6 tags 3000 points
Runner-Up: Andrea Kennedy 5 tags 2200 point
3rd: Anna Passmore 5 tags 2100 points
4th: Dianne Norkett 4 tags 1900 points
5th: Teagan Witcher 3 tags 1200 points
Champion Angler Male tag & Release Billfish
Winner: Jack Grant 14 tags 5400 points
Runner-Up: Bob Witcombe 8 tags 3800 points
3rd: Brendan Foote 8 tags 3700 points
4th: Paul Terhart 7 tags 3400 points
5th: Darren Bowden 7 tags 3300 points
GAMEX RESULTS BOAT SECTIONS
Champion Boat Tag & Release Shark
Winner: Muddy 20 tags 3800 points
Runner Up: Swamp Donkey 8 tags 1600 points
3rd: Awesum 8 tags 1500 points
4th: Got Im On 8 tags 1400 points
5th: Chaos 6 tags 1000 points
Champion Boat Tag & Release Sailfish
Winner: On Strike 10 tags 4000 points
Runner Up: Bullistic 6 tags 2400 points (by line class)
3rd: Waverider 6 tags 2400 points
4th: Azura 5 tags 2000 points
5th Nail It 3 tags 1200 points (by line class)
Champion Boat Tag & Release Swordfish
VACANT
Champion Boat Tag & Release Billfish 7m & Under
Winner: The Wench 20 tags 9800 points
Runner Up: Nauti Bouy 10 tags 4900 points
3rd: Nail It 9 tags 4200 points
4th: Reel Game 8 tags 3500 points
5th: Jack Attack 5 tags 2500 points (by line class)
Champion Boat Tag & Release Billfish over 7m
Winner: Azura 24 tags 11500 points
Runner Up: Out Time 16 tags 7700 points
3rd: Waverider 14 tags 6400 points
4th: Weapon 14 tags 5400 points
5th: On Strike ll 12 tags 5000 points
Champion Boat Tag & Release Marlin
Winner: Azura 19 tags 9500 points
Runner Up: The Wench 18 tags 9000 points
3rd: Out Time: 13 tags 6500 points
4th: Weapon: 13 tags 5200 points
5th: Nauti Bouy 9 tags 4500 points
Champion Boat Overall Capture/Tag & Release
Winner: Seatrix 7185.67 points 11 L/C 9 Species
Runner Up: In Deep 6736.50 points 11 L/C 9 Species
3rd: Pussee Galore 6599.83 points 11 L/C 11 Species
4th: Got Im On 5130.50 points 11 L/C 9 Species
5th: Awesum 4112.00 points 9 L/C Species
GAMEX 2018 MEMORIAL AWARDS
Steve Pitman Memorial Trophy, Most Skilled Angler
Kade Ross 11 Line Classes 11 Species
George King Memorial Trophy, Top Tagging Captain
Eddy Lawler 24 Tagged Billfish
Phil Tickle Memorial Trophy, Most Meritorious Capture
Matti Groth 6.36kg Queenfish on 1kg Line Class
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 1kg
Winner: Matti Groth 6.36kg Queenfish 636 points
Runner-up: Kade Ross 5.49kg Queenfish 549 points
3rd: Matti Groth 5.17kg Shark Mackerel 517 points
4th: Matti Groth 4.78kg Queenfish 478 points
5th: Jason Hornhardt 4.45kg Mahi Mahi 445 points
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 2kg
Winner: Richard Horlock 9.35kg NB Mackerel 467.50 points
Runner-up: Kade Ross 8.11kg Golden Trevally 405.50 points
3rd: Jesse Sutton 7.26kg Golden Trevally 363 points
4th: Jake Fitzgerald 6.29kg Queenfish 314.50 points
5th: Scott Turrell 5.60kg Queenfish 280 points
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 3kg
Winner: Jason Hornhardt 15.81kg NB Mackerel 527 points
Runner-up Anna Passmore 11.11kg NB Mackerel 370.33 points
3rd: Matti Groth 7.21kg NB Mackerel 240.33 points
4th: Jason Hornhardt 6.41kg NB Mackerel 213.67 points
5th: Jason Hornhardt 6.20kg Rainbow Runner 206.67 points
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 4kg
Winner: Jake Fitzgerald 15.40kg NB Mackerel 385 points
Runner-up: Mick Grasso 11.62kg Cobia 290.50 points
3rd: Jesse Sutton 8.85kg Barracuda 221.25 points
4th: Nick Horlock 8.85kg NB Mackerel 202.20 points
5th: Jesse Sutton 7.61kg Golden Trevally 190.25 points
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 6kg
Winner: Kade Ross 10.62kg Wahoo 177 points
Runner-up: Matti Groth 9.03kg NB Mackerel 150.50 points
3rd: Kade Ross 7.43kg Yellowfin Tuna 123.83 points
4th: Jesse Sutton 6.90kg Wahoo 115 points
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 8kg
Winner: Jason Hornhardt 13.20kg NB Mackerel 165 points
Runner-up Vacant
HPS Gamefish weighed in on 10kg
Winner: Matti Groth 21.62kg Barracuda 216.20 points
Runner-up: Rick Morehead 17.45kg Wahoo 174.50 points
3rd: Rick Morehead 12.25kg Wahoo 122.50 points
HPS Billfish weighed in on 1-15kg
VACANT
Heaviest Billfish weighed in on 24-60kg
VACANT
GAMEX RESULTS ANGLERS
Champion Angler Small Fry
Winner: Harvey Mitchell 1200 points 5 L/C 1 Species Swamp Donkey
Runner-up: Max Grasso 400 points 1 L/C 1 Species In Deep
Champion Angler Junior
Winner: Jesse Sutton 5130.50 points 11 L/C 9 Species Got Im On
Runner-Up: Jake Fitzgerald 4508.33 points 7 L/C 5 Species In Deep
3rd: Callum Horlock 2480.83 points 9 L/C 6 Species Chaos
4th: Riley Smith 1800 points 2 L/C 2 Species Azura
5th: Trent Gregory 1200 points 2 L/C 1 Species Bullistic
Champion Angler Female
Winner: Anna Passmore 3940.67 points 7 L/C 4 Species Pullin Skirt
Runner-Up: Dianne Norkett 2000 points 3 L/C 2 Species Stormy
3rd: Andrea Kennedy 1800 points 2 L/C 2 Species On Strike ll
4th: Teagan Witcher 1200 points 2 L/C 1 Species On Strike ll
5th: Ayesha Salkild 1156.33 points 5 L/C 3 Species Muddy
Champion Angler Male
Winner: Kade Ross 6495.83 points 11 L/C 11 Species Pussee Galore
Runner-Up: Jason Hornhardt 5047.67 points 7 L/C 7 Species Seatrix
3rd: Matt Arscott 4112.00 points 9 L/C 6 Species Awesum
4th: Matti Groth 2852.57 points 4 L/C 4 Species Salty Pup
5th: Ben Punch 2300 points 3 L/C 2 Species Azura
Champion Anger Small Fry Tag & Release Billfish
VACANT
Champion Angler Junior Tag & Release Billfish
Winner: Riley Smith 8 Tags 3800 points
Runner-Up: Jake Fitzgerald 4 Tags 1800 points
3rd: Trent Gregory 4 tags 1600 points
4th: Jesse Sutton 2 tags 900 points
5th: Will Roche 1 tag 200 points
Champion Angler Female Tag & Release Billfish
Winner: Jo Ann Riley 6 tags 3000 points
Runner-Up: Andrea Kennedy 5 tags 2200 point
3rd: Anna Passmore 5 tags 2100 points
4th: Dianne Norkett 4 tags 1900 points
5th: Teagan Witcher 3 tags 1200 points
Champion Angler Male tag & Release Billfish
Winner: Jack Grant 14 tags 5400 points
Runner-Up: Bob Witcombe 8 tags 3800 points
3rd: Brendan Foote 8 tags 3700 points
4th: Paul Terhart 7 tags 3400 points
5th: Darren Bowden 7 tags 3300 points
GAMEX RESULTS BOAT SECTIONS
Champion Boat Tag & Release Shark
Winner: Muddy 20 tags 3800 points
Runner Up: Swamp Donkey 8 tags 1600 points
3rd: Awesum 8 tags 1500 points
4th: Got Im On 8 tags 1400 points
5th: Chaos 6 tags 1000 points
Champion Boat Tag & Release Sailfish
Winner: On Strike 10 tags 4000 points
Runner Up: Bullistic 6 tags 2400 points (by line class)
3rd: Waverider 6 tags 2400 points
4th: Azura 5 tags 2000 points
5th Nail It 3 tags 1200 points (by line class)
Champion Boat Tag & Release Swordfish
VACANT
Champion Boat Tag & Release Billfish 7m & Under
Winner: The Wench 20 tags 9800 points
Runner Up: Nauti Bouy 10 tags 4900 points
3rd: Nail It 9 tags 4200 points
4th: Reel Game 8 tags 3500 points
5th: Jack Attack 5 tags 2500 points (by line class)
Champion Boat Tag & Release Billfish over 7m
Winner: Azura 24 tags 11500 points
Runner Up: Out Time 16 tags 7700 points
3rd: Waverider 14 tags 6400 points
4th: Weapon 14 tags 5400 points
5th: On Strike ll 12 tags 5000 points
Champion Boat Tag & Release Marlin
Winner: Azura 19 tags 9500 points
Runner Up: The Wench 18 tags 9000 points
3rd: Out Time: 13 tags 6500 points
4th: Weapon: 13 tags 5200 points
5th: Nauti Bouy 9 tags 4500 points
Champion Boat Overall Capture/Tag & Release
Winner: Seatrix 7185.67 points 11 L/C 9 Species
Runner Up: In Deep 6736.50 points 11 L/C 9 Species
3rd: Pussee Galore 6599.83 points 11 L/C 11 Species
4th: Got Im On 5130.50 points 11 L/C 9 Species
5th: Awesum 4112.00 points 9 L/C Species
GAMEX 2018 MEMORIAL AWARDS
Steve Pitman Memorial Trophy, Most Skilled Angler
Kade Ross 11 Line Classes 11 Species
George King Memorial Trophy, Top Tagging Captain
Eddy Lawler 24 Tagged Billfish
Phil Tickle Memorial Trophy, Most Meritorious Capture
Matti Groth 6.36kg Queenfish on 1kg Line Class
GAMEX 50th Fishing Tournament Final Report
The most common words from anglers that fished GAMEX 2018 was “This is the BEST GAMEX ever!” The weather was sensational, and the fishing was red-hot. The social events throughout the week were well attended and started with the Rig and Gig night, where every seat in the clubhouse was taken and people were standing to catch up with friends, learn about certain rigging techniques and then party on with great music.
The Exmouth Shire President, Matt Niikkula officially opened the 50th annual Exmouth fishing event. His opening talk was brilliant with a personal touch of an Exmouth born and raised angler who has fished the event many times. The CEO of Recfishwest, Andrew Rowland also had a very captive crowd while he gave information on the results of the works done last GAMEX with the scientists they arrange for research, including the fact that the 15kg black marlin captured specifically last year was calculated to be 156 days old.
The Recfishwest Free Family Fun Day was a great success with over 20 kids attending the fishing clinic. They all fished infront of the clubhouse at the marina catching various species, followed by playing on the fish simulator. The kids had a sausage sizzle, cake and icy pole, followed by some water fun games. It was a sensational day for weather and all the kids took home a prize and some goodies from the day.
Day one of GAMEX started with 5 billfish being tagged in the first 30 minutes. It then proceeded to 10 in the first hour, 10 more in the second hour and another 10 in the 3rd hour. By the end of the day there were 171 billfish raised, 123 hooked and 68 tagged, with a smattering of sailfish, a few blue marlin and a stack of black marlin. Some fish were estimated at close to 200kg, while others were as small as 5kg. There was a lot of excitement on the radio and there is no doubt that the global fishing fraternity is going to be whispering about the statistics, especially considering that only 36 of the teams were chasing billfish specifically.
The results of GAMEX were posted each day on the GAMEX fb page, along with sponsor logos.
The fish filleting demonstrations were daily during weigh-in times and visitors were encouraged to come and learn how to make the most of their catch and minimise waste. There was plenty of fish fillet samples for anyone to take home from the demonstrations.
The dress-up evening mid-week was also a full-house and team Quadrant Energy took out the top prize. The Sponsor Appreciation Function had some amazing local cuisine and complimentary drinks with information and discussions on what happens during the event.
Anglers from as young as five competed in the waters of the Exmouth gulf and west side for one of the many sections of the event. There were also daily prizes, hourly prizes, auctions, raffles and giveaways that made up the prize pool of over $150, 000. Outstanding achievements included that of Matti Groth from Germany who took out several of the light line sections of the event. Champion Small-fry angler Harvey Mitchell, aged 5, had the crowd at the presentation night in awe as he collected his trophies with pride for tagging 7 sharks with no assistance on the rod and reel. Champion Junior angler Jesse Sutton managed to use every one of the 11 line classes to catch 9 different species and had a total tally of points that was incredible for any angler, particularly a junior female. Jack Grant was pleased to get his Shimano Talica reel with the special plaque of GAMEX 50th Champion Angler T&R billfish, while Kade Ross was also wrapped with his Craig Smith Marine Artwork individually marked Champion Angler. New angler to GAMEX, Anna Passmore is now officially hooked on fishing after taking out Champion Female for the event. You won’t miss her smile that will match her sensational Driftwood jewellery that was won on the night. Female angler from Weipa, Andrea Kennedy was hot on the heels of Jo Riley from Karratha who took out Champion Angler Female T&R Billfish, while Champion Junior Angler T&R Billfish, Riley Smith is going to be hard to beat next year when he is old enough to enter the adult section.
Species encountered during the event included blue, black and striped marlin, sailfish, spanish mackerel, dolphinfish, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, barracuda, queenfish, golden trevally, cobia, rainbow runner and many more of the 40+ species on offer in these waters close to launching facilities. Small and large boats competed with male and female anglers of all ages. The team sections were hotly contested with 36 boats chasing billfish and 20 targeting species. The skeds for GAMEX for billfish were 797-594-307. This means 797 billfish were raised by the teams targeting billfish, 597 were hooked and 307 were tagged. From this there were 231 black marlin, 11 blue marlin, 2 striped marlin and 63 sailfish. Team Azura took out the Champion Boat for Marlin and boats over 7m, while On Strike II won Champion Boat Sailfish. Champion Boat under 7m was won by Karratha team The Wench. The new section of Champion Boat Swordfish this year was vacant, along with the sections for weighed billfish. It is good to have a billfish or two weighed during the event for educational purposes, however, all billfish for GAMEX 2018 were tagged. Last year we had a specific request from the scientists to bring in two billfish weighed around 25kg. This was fantastic, as the samples taken from these two fish gave us some very interesting information. The female marlin weighing 16.4kg and measuring 1.5m in length was just 165 days old. This fish grew more than 60mm and gained 700grams per week. The male specimen was 205 days old and weighed 21.4kg with a length of 1.6m. This fish grew 50mm per week and also gained more than 700grams per week. These ages suggest that the fish caught in March were born between the end of August and middle of October in the previous year. Marlin are one of the fastest growing fish in the ocean and can reach speeds of over 100km per hour. Anglers also learnt that black marlin can have an egg count that can exceed 100million per fish. EGFC thank Recfishwest for arranging the scientists to attend each year to assist with research and education that gives us this valuable informative and data.
Team Seatrix that had a mixed team from Perth, Exmouth and Karratha took out Champion Boat Overall. Skipper Scott Turrell had been looking for anglers to join his boat on the EGFC website and FB page and the lucky anglers that fished with him ended up taking home some fantastic prizes. Full results of the event are up on the EGFC website and facebook pages and the dates for 2019 are March 22-30. My suggestion to anglers is to book ahead, because it will be another big event, that may have to be capped.
The EGFC thank the anglers, sponsors and volunteers who bring the successful event together.
We look forward to having everyone onboard again for the event in 2019.
Preparations for the 2019 event have already commenced and the dates are March 22-30.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us at anytime.
With kind regards,
Jenifer Gates and Scott Owens
Volunteer and Events Coordinator
Exmouth Game Fishing Club
Po Box 121
Exmouth WA 6707
www.egfc.com.au
www.gamex.net.au
Mobiles:
Jeni: 0408 905 448
Scott: 0487 409 355
Emails:
Jeni: gamex@egfc.com.au
Scott: events@egfc.com.au
The State Government of Western Australia is proud to support GAMEX through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Program.
The most common words from anglers that fished GAMEX 2018 was “This is the BEST GAMEX ever!” The weather was sensational, and the fishing was red-hot. The social events throughout the week were well attended and started with the Rig and Gig night, where every seat in the clubhouse was taken and people were standing to catch up with friends, learn about certain rigging techniques and then party on with great music.
The Exmouth Shire President, Matt Niikkula officially opened the 50th annual Exmouth fishing event. His opening talk was brilliant with a personal touch of an Exmouth born and raised angler who has fished the event many times. The CEO of Recfishwest, Andrew Rowland also had a very captive crowd while he gave information on the results of the works done last GAMEX with the scientists they arrange for research, including the fact that the 15kg black marlin captured specifically last year was calculated to be 156 days old.
The Recfishwest Free Family Fun Day was a great success with over 20 kids attending the fishing clinic. They all fished infront of the clubhouse at the marina catching various species, followed by playing on the fish simulator. The kids had a sausage sizzle, cake and icy pole, followed by some water fun games. It was a sensational day for weather and all the kids took home a prize and some goodies from the day.
Day one of GAMEX started with 5 billfish being tagged in the first 30 minutes. It then proceeded to 10 in the first hour, 10 more in the second hour and another 10 in the 3rd hour. By the end of the day there were 171 billfish raised, 123 hooked and 68 tagged, with a smattering of sailfish, a few blue marlin and a stack of black marlin. Some fish were estimated at close to 200kg, while others were as small as 5kg. There was a lot of excitement on the radio and there is no doubt that the global fishing fraternity is going to be whispering about the statistics, especially considering that only 36 of the teams were chasing billfish specifically.
The results of GAMEX were posted each day on the GAMEX fb page, along with sponsor logos.
The fish filleting demonstrations were daily during weigh-in times and visitors were encouraged to come and learn how to make the most of their catch and minimise waste. There was plenty of fish fillet samples for anyone to take home from the demonstrations.
The dress-up evening mid-week was also a full-house and team Quadrant Energy took out the top prize. The Sponsor Appreciation Function had some amazing local cuisine and complimentary drinks with information and discussions on what happens during the event.
Anglers from as young as five competed in the waters of the Exmouth gulf and west side for one of the many sections of the event. There were also daily prizes, hourly prizes, auctions, raffles and giveaways that made up the prize pool of over $150, 000. Outstanding achievements included that of Matti Groth from Germany who took out several of the light line sections of the event. Champion Small-fry angler Harvey Mitchell, aged 5, had the crowd at the presentation night in awe as he collected his trophies with pride for tagging 7 sharks with no assistance on the rod and reel. Champion Junior angler Jesse Sutton managed to use every one of the 11 line classes to catch 9 different species and had a total tally of points that was incredible for any angler, particularly a junior female. Jack Grant was pleased to get his Shimano Talica reel with the special plaque of GAMEX 50th Champion Angler T&R billfish, while Kade Ross was also wrapped with his Craig Smith Marine Artwork individually marked Champion Angler. New angler to GAMEX, Anna Passmore is now officially hooked on fishing after taking out Champion Female for the event. You won’t miss her smile that will match her sensational Driftwood jewellery that was won on the night. Female angler from Weipa, Andrea Kennedy was hot on the heels of Jo Riley from Karratha who took out Champion Angler Female T&R Billfish, while Champion Junior Angler T&R Billfish, Riley Smith is going to be hard to beat next year when he is old enough to enter the adult section.
Species encountered during the event included blue, black and striped marlin, sailfish, spanish mackerel, dolphinfish, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, barracuda, queenfish, golden trevally, cobia, rainbow runner and many more of the 40+ species on offer in these waters close to launching facilities. Small and large boats competed with male and female anglers of all ages. The team sections were hotly contested with 36 boats chasing billfish and 20 targeting species. The skeds for GAMEX for billfish were 797-594-307. This means 797 billfish were raised by the teams targeting billfish, 597 were hooked and 307 were tagged. From this there were 231 black marlin, 11 blue marlin, 2 striped marlin and 63 sailfish. Team Azura took out the Champion Boat for Marlin and boats over 7m, while On Strike II won Champion Boat Sailfish. Champion Boat under 7m was won by Karratha team The Wench. The new section of Champion Boat Swordfish this year was vacant, along with the sections for weighed billfish. It is good to have a billfish or two weighed during the event for educational purposes, however, all billfish for GAMEX 2018 were tagged. Last year we had a specific request from the scientists to bring in two billfish weighed around 25kg. This was fantastic, as the samples taken from these two fish gave us some very interesting information. The female marlin weighing 16.4kg and measuring 1.5m in length was just 165 days old. This fish grew more than 60mm and gained 700grams per week. The male specimen was 205 days old and weighed 21.4kg with a length of 1.6m. This fish grew 50mm per week and also gained more than 700grams per week. These ages suggest that the fish caught in March were born between the end of August and middle of October in the previous year. Marlin are one of the fastest growing fish in the ocean and can reach speeds of over 100km per hour. Anglers also learnt that black marlin can have an egg count that can exceed 100million per fish. EGFC thank Recfishwest for arranging the scientists to attend each year to assist with research and education that gives us this valuable informative and data.
Team Seatrix that had a mixed team from Perth, Exmouth and Karratha took out Champion Boat Overall. Skipper Scott Turrell had been looking for anglers to join his boat on the EGFC website and FB page and the lucky anglers that fished with him ended up taking home some fantastic prizes. Full results of the event are up on the EGFC website and facebook pages and the dates for 2019 are March 22-30. My suggestion to anglers is to book ahead, because it will be another big event, that may have to be capped.
The EGFC thank the anglers, sponsors and volunteers who bring the successful event together.
We look forward to having everyone onboard again for the event in 2019.
Preparations for the 2019 event have already commenced and the dates are March 22-30.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us at anytime.
With kind regards,
Jenifer Gates and Scott Owens
Volunteer and Events Coordinator
Exmouth Game Fishing Club
Po Box 121
Exmouth WA 6707
www.egfc.com.au
www.gamex.net.au
Mobiles:
Jeni: 0408 905 448
Scott: 0487 409 355
Emails:
Jeni: gamex@egfc.com.au
Scott: events@egfc.com.au
The State Government of Western Australia is proud to support GAMEX through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Program.
GAMEX LEADER BOARD DAY 1
Cracka day on the water, with fantastic stats:
Marlin 159 Raised 112 Hooked 59 Tagged
Sailfish 12 Raised 11 Hooked 9 Tagged
That’s 68 Billfish Tags for the day.
Captures were not the priority for most boats as the Billies were on, but that didn’t stop Junior Jesse Sutton capturing 2 pending record fish!!!
Good luck to all the boats & Anglers for day 2.
SKED information below.
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GAMEX DAY 2 LEADER BOARD
Another great day on the water today with some great stats coming in & another 2 capture pending records!!! It’s sure starting as a Gamex to remember.
Stats: Marlin raised: 118
Hooked: 85 Tagged: 43
Sailfish raised: 17 Hooked: 14
Tagged: 11
Total Tagged Day 2:54
Good luck tomorrow Anglers
#egfc
#gamex
#billfishareon
#justanotherdayinwa
Another great day on the water today with some great stats coming in & another 2 capture pending records!!! It’s sure starting as a Gamex to remember.
Stats: Marlin raised: 118
Hooked: 85 Tagged: 43
Sailfish raised: 17 Hooked: 14
Tagged: 11
Total Tagged Day 2:54
Good luck tomorrow Anglers
#egfc
#gamex
#billfishareon
#justanotherdayinwa
GAMEX DAY 3 LEADER BOARD
The weather is holding up its part of the bargain that’s for sure! Fish Tags a little down today, but still fantastic numbers. Captures were up today, with another pending record for Junior Jesse Sutton.
Social night was great with, Team Quadrant taking out best dressed team & Ragman coming in a close runner up 👍
Stats for the day:
Marlin Raised 91 Hooked 78 Tagged 30
Sailfish Raised 12 Hooked 9 Tagged 4
Total Tags for day 3: 34
Once again Anglers have a great day on the water tomorrow 🎣
#egfc
#gamex
#fishingisfun
#cantdothiswithoutvolunteers
#thanksamazingsponsors
