Ski-Boat — May-June 2017

SKI-BOAT May/June 2017 • 59

A

S we quietly stood staring into
the distance, everyone momen-
tarily occupied with their own
thoughts, the long awaited
dawn brightened up the sky sufficiently
for us to soak up the details of the mag-
nificent picture unfolding before us.
For me personally this particular scene
is one of Agulhas’s most spectacular
panoramic views imaginable, especially
at daybreak.
In the forefront the structures of the
crowded and bustling Struisbaai
Harbour fused neatly into the pic-
turesque bay’s cobalt water stretching
away into the early morning glow.
Further along white sandy beaches
blended seamlessly into the large, snow-
white sand dunes beyond, now neatly
edged against the blurred distant green
mountains.
“These tranquil contrasting hues are
picture perfect,” I thought for a second,
but immediately realised that no camera
would be able to properly capture and
reproduce such excellence — God’s
own creation I celebrated! What a start
to mark the first fishing day of the long
awaited 2017 Two Oceans Marlin
Tournament (TOMT).

CAPTAINS’ BRIEFING
At the captains’ briefing held in the
Suidpunt Deep Sea Angling clubhouse
the previous evening, the cards were
already on the table. Monday seemed
fishable,Tuesday and Wednesday looked
to be total blowouts, with Thursday,
Friday and Saturday looking promising
at that stage. Subject to final confirma-
tion the next morning, a provisional
green light was given for fishing to
commence on Monday. The enticing
prospects of chasing marlin on the first
day of the event almost catapulted the
excitement levels of the already
pumped up 125 anglers beyond thresh-
old levels.
However, during the briefing offici-
ated by Mr TOMT, Paul van Niekerk, and

Mr Marlin Control, the effervescent

Andrew Perrins, the ambiance appeared

to be rather aloof. Carefully scrutiniz-

ing the facial expression of several

attendees thoughtfully listening and

cogitating over the procedures and

requests, I realised that their guises in

fact portrayed very stern attitudes.

There was no mistaking it, these people

had come for a single reason and that

was to catch marlin. Against the back-

drop of the 2016 event which only

yielded one marlin — and that after the

event had to be extended to the Sunday

— it all made sense.

Whilst thanking the local NSRI,

Station 30, for their continued support,

solid backing and quick response when

needed, Paul also introduced the Station

commander, Reinard Geldenhuys,

(Manager Protection Services at

Overberg District Municipality).

Reinard used the opportunity to share

the station’s accountabilities, operations

and response procedures. This address

was long overdue and well received by

all, particularly Reinard’s advice on how

to deal with potentially serious inci-

dents and injuries at sea.

A WINDY START

As the crews milled around amongst

the logjam of boats parked inside the

parameters of the harbour — with the

queue once again backing up well into

the entrance road and beyond — the

excitement levels were almost palpable.

However, due to a fresh south-easter

breeze pushing onshore substantially

stronger than had been forecast, the

prospects of launching were certainly

at risk. The weather pattern was threat-

ening to become a blue print of last

year’s event when frustrated partici-

pants were forced to sit it out until the

Friday.

The thumbs-up was eventually given

by the safety committee and about 75%

of the 27 participating craft launched

— straight into the teeth of a still

obnoxious but gradually calming sea.

As the boats scattered in different direc-

tions, the constant flow of radio calls

confirming pax numbers and request-

ing permission to leave the harbour

were unceremoniously blown away

into the crisp morning air.

Then the long wait started with

some exciting hookup reports echoing

intermittently over the radio. They

turned out to be mostly nice sized yel-

lowfin tuna or some of those dreaded

taxmen. Le Bosseven reported a blue

shark taking a marlin lure — the first of

its kind ever hooked during these

events, as far as I’m aware.

The largest craft in the fleet, Piet

Faber and Koos Pretorious’ 45ft Bill

Edwards built Osprey, fishing near the

Alphard Banks, eventually hooked into a

black marlin which was reported to be

a large fish. As Big Ben’s bells tolled

that afternoon at 4pm announcing the

end of the first day’s fishing, the total

score was still stuck at one marlin.

Following the normal chilling out,

sightseeing and team building excur-

sions over the next two very windy

days, Thursday eventually arrived with

all 27 participating boats taking to sea.

Despite having the luxury of the sec-

ond slip available — it was cleared and

declared usable beforehand — the har-

bour was still unable to satisfactorily

cope with so many boats, particularly

with the local sportfishers and commer-

cial boats also competing for launching

rights.

By midday Woes Lekker, Jaco

Pienaar’s 21ft Butt Cat, had hooked and

successfully released a striped marlin

near the Alphard Banks. This eventually

turned out to be the only billfish catch

for the day.

On Friday, the last day of the event

— Saturday was also a total blowout —

Paul van Niekerk’s 25ft Two Oceans

Magnum Salti, fishing the 12 Mile Bank

area, hooked and successfully released a

black marlin, the last fish of the event.

By Johan Smal