Giant snapper landed at Whyalla comp, but weather upsets Easter fun

[aarron 29]

Whyalla’s 21st Australian Snapper Championship saw big smiles on the face of local angler Steven Stone with his winning 15.26kg snapper, but disappointment for others who struggled to get a bite at Easter.The three-day event got off to a disappointing start on Friday with many boats returning to shore by lunch time after a 7am launch as weather conditions worsened.By early afternoon most of the 180 boats in the comp were on dry land asUpper Spencer Gulfwinds reached 46km/h gusting to 63kms with accompanying high swells.Only 21 snapper were weighed for the day – one of the worst starts recorded. Overall, a total of 183 snapper were presented at the weigh station for the three days compared to 238 last year and 277 in 2010.However, as winds dropped to around 20km/h by early Saturday morning – much more bearable fishing conditions – it didn’t take long before some big snapper were caught and at least some boats were returning with happy crews.Although snapper numbers were low, there were sufficient large fish caught to support Whyalla’s claim of being home of the elusive “big red.”Second place went to another keen local, Josh Parker, for his 14.36kg snapper, followed by fellow local Andrew Sammut, with a 13.68kg fish.It was also a clean sweep for Whyalla anglers in other major categories.The Bob Buckton Memorial Award for the heaviest snapper caught by a female went to Jo-Anne Broad with a 12.3kg, while a re-introduced team section saw Dominators – comprising Darrell Murray, Andrew Sammut, Jo-Anne Broad and Justin Prior – take out the title with a total weight of their four snapper at 46.42kgs.Almost 40 teams entered, suggesting its return will become a feature event next year.However, for all 10 previous champions hoping 2012 would see a previous winner take out a second title for the first time, this was not to be. Only four weighed in snapper, the heaviest being in the 9-11kg range.Making up the remaining Top 10 were: 13.28kg, Mark Burk, Whyalla. 13.10kg, Wayne Barry, Batesford, Vic. 13.08kg, Stephan Schultz, Whyalla. 13.00kg, Steven Ahretis,NobleParkNorth, Vic. 12.90kg, John Malone, Port Lincoln, SA. 12.34kg, Matthew Jaritz, Whyalla. 12.32kg, Ben Stone, Port Lincoln, SA.

http://www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=671&t=uList&ulistId=0&c=29600