The Gordon’s Bay Boat and Angling Club (GBBAC), situated in Harbour Island, was the proud host of the 2023 GBBAC and Small Boat Owners SA Inshore Classic, which took place over the weekend.
Festivities commenced on Friday 29 September with an extremely well attended opening function held at GBBAC, where a total of 50 boats and 193 anglers were welcomed ahead of the competition. They were all in search of the biggest edible fish caught on rod and reel from a boat, kayak or jetski. Prizes were allocated for the three biggest fish for the following species, cob, yellowtail, red roman, bronze bream and red stump, with a wild card available for a sixth species.
Both Saturday and Sunday were possible fishing days, but with the weather not being conducive for competitors the call was made for no fishing on Saturday, with all hope placed on Sunday for catching the biggest species and walking away with the massive first prize.
All boats congregated just outside of Harbour Island on Sunday morning and after the blessing of the fleet at 06:00 they were off. The fishing area for the competition was a straight line from Boskloof to Simons Town. Cape Point was not accessible and boats really needed to scratch around within False Bay. The freshwater from the past rain within the area made the fishing really difficult, but determination and hard fishing paid off with some incredible fish being caught.
Lines-up was called at 16.00 and all boats returned for the weigh-in that took place at the GBBAC.
The 2023 GBBAC and Small Boat Association Inshore Classic was one of the biggest Inshore competitions within the Western Cape. Such amazing events are reliant to not only our anglers competing, but also valued sponsorships from local businesses as well as individuals. More than R300 000 worth of prizes was up for grabs and the winning fish of the 2023 GBBAC and Small Boat Association Inshore Classic was a magnificent 13,1 kg cob caught on the boat Boobytrap by Owen Pretorious. This catch secured them a brand new Splash 600 boat sponsored by Brian Hayward from RapidCat.
GBBAC extended a heartfelt thank you to all anglers and valued sponsors.
