Young Fella's big Cobe

[SeaSaw]

I think the competition was generally pretty well run, but I agree that it was an injustice that Jay didn't win the senior prize.

I have spoken to the organiser and he is aware there are problems that need to be fixed for next year and he is willing to listen to concerns and make changes. I suggest you talk to him about your concerns, so that things keep getting better each year. This is my second year in this competition and it has improved from the first time round and with feedback, it will continue to improve.

Don't forget this competition is fundamentally about raising money to help disabled people enjoy fishing the way we all do. It is great to see sponsor supporting this cause. I will be attending again next year. Here is some information about the purpose of the competition (from their website)


History

A local man, Greg Balfour, has dedicated much of his time to improving the quality of life for disadvantaged and disabled kids on the coast. A few years ago the charity Sport and Leisure for the Handicapped Assoc. Inc. T/A R.A.D. (Recreational Association for the Disabled) was formed. RAD as it is affectionately known takes disadvantaged and disabled kids out fishing on a regular basis. RAD receives no funding, and as such, actively fundraises the local area through raffles and donations.

The River to Reef fishing classic is designed to engage the whole community in supporting Sport and Leisure for the Handicapped. By staging this event the organisation hopes to raise funds to update and purchase a new vessel to ensure the disabled and disadvantaged kids we take out fishing each day receive the best possible experience, appropriate care and are able to enjoy it in a safe environment. The current vessel has no wheelchair access and all must be lifted in by hand. This is particularly difficult given that our president who captains the boat has polio himself. We have designed a new vessel that provides wheel chair access and improved safety features.

All monies raised will go towards the purchase of a new custom built vessel
that provides easy access for wheelchair bound clients.

Donations are always needed so anyone able to contribute to this project
will be much appreciated.

[nofrills]

always next year jay mate .

unless of coarse you keep reminding me that yours was bigger .

next year we will have to enter you as a senior .

cheers scotty.

PS have you fixed that farting problem yet

[jeffo]

a comp that is about kids but kids arent included in the over all prizes.
the biggest cobe is the biggest cobe- end of story.

Id like to find out the end result from you col.

jeff.

[reef_king]

Great cobia mate, would've put up a great fight . Good to see him showin up the old fellas...... he should've won .

[yalta]

seasaw could you imagine this kids feelings
when he was told that he was not the winner of
any prize. a big kick in the guts to see some one up their
getting a prize with a fish half the weight of the fish he caught.
so a lot of us would not think it as pretty well run just think it over.

[Reefmaster]

Jay,
Your a champ no matter what mate and what an experience it must have been for you.

I certainly think the organisers made a mess of this dilema but i have no doubt it was probally something they never even thought of. Like Jonesy said its only early days with their comps and they can only make it better in the future.

I think we need to concentrate a little less on the fact he didn't win and give him full recogination and praise for catching such a qaulity fish.

Well done Jay bloody top effort. Congrats also to Scotty for skippering it and Col for bringing both the boys up to be already great fishermen. Col you must be a very proud Dad after the weekend.

Regards,
Greg

[Sportfish_5]

Good call Greg

It's an awesome fish and something to remember for life regardless.

Time to get the boys near a few big hutchies hoo now dad

[olivermichelle]

Well done Jay!! top effort.

Even though, realistically, that cobe should have gotten the major prize, I think the hour worth of battle with a 33kg 'reel screamer' would have been prize enough.

Good job.

BigOW

[Thunderbird]

What line class were you on jay?
Here's another angle. It could have been an Australian junior angler record!

[Trent_Butler]

Hi guys,

I think this issue has been mis-represented for long enough! Here are the facts.

Yes it was a fantastic capture for young Jay and he did win a prize as he finished runner-up in the Junior Offshore Division. The organisers decided not to have individual species prizes for the Juniors after last year several fish species were not caught by any Junior, therefore they were left with un-claimed prizes. For the $10 entry fee all Juniors competed for overall winners and runner-up in Offshore and Estuary categories.

It cost $50 for entry into the Senior division and they competed for overall prizes and individual species prizes. Even though Jay did catch the biggest Cobia (by far) you still cannot deny the senior angler who paid his $50 entry fee and caught the biggest cobia.

Col raised this issue we me during the event and though it has some merit you simply can't change the rules at suit everyone. But it certainly does lead to adding an extra prize for any Junior who weighs in a biggest fish of the comp, much like they do if you weigh in a live fish that is deemed to be the biggest of its species.

There are a number of down right stupid comments by some ill-informed people have posted in this topic have been completely unnecessary. "Jeffo" this is not a gamefish comp my friend it is a family based comp will all proceeds going to charity. All the organising is done by only two guys with help from a number of volunteers during the comp weekend. These two guys (Bill & Greg) put in countless hours of their time to make this happen, all for nothing.

Again congratulations to Jay on a great fish and I do belive that the organisers our scratching up an extra prize which will be sent to Jay to ease any dissappointment that he may be feeling.

Regards

Trent Butler
AMM
Major Sponsors of the River to Reef Fishing Comp.

[griz066]

Good stuff there young fulla well done

[vertico]

is there something with the name "Jay" and catching monster cobes or what ?
seano

[catchum]

all i can say WOW nice effort and i am sure the organises will endeavour to inprove the comp each year. after all the experacince is the key to it all.(good on ya for helping such a worthy cause

[Sportfish_5]

Jay - was gunna say time to change the avatar pic to the one of you and the big cobe in Scottie's boat. Only prob with that will be then Scottie would be in two avatar pics with monsters he didnt catch

Cheers

Greg




Livie deployed