Holy Mackerel – Riaan wins a boat

THE Easter weekend was certainly one for the memory books for angler Riaan Bodenstein, who found good things coming his way in threes while competing in the Richards Bay Ski Boat Club Fishing Bonanza over the long weekend.

Firstly Riaan’s wife gave him the go-ahead to compete in the popular annual fishing competition.

Secondly he had a ‘Good Friday’ when winning the fight with a 9.2kg Queen Mackerel.

And lastly he had the satisfaction of hooking a new trailer with a King Cat F16 to the back of his bakkie before heading home on Monday morning after claiming overall victory at the competition.

A total of 126 boats and 450 anglers competed in the Bonanza, trying their luck on land and deep in the ocean waters.

A number of great catches were recorded over the three days.

Anglers were spoilt at prize-giving on Sunday evening with fantastic prizes, thanks to the many sponsors who got on board this year.

Results

Bay competition – 1 George (Catface Rockcod 1.80kg), 2 Hannes du Preez (Sand Fish 2kg) and 3 Danie Marais (King Mackerel 1.60kg).

Deep sea competition category winners – Dieter Loubser (Slinger 2.4kg), Andre Kriel (Grunter Javelin 3.60kg), JJ van Heerden (Catface Rockcod 6.40kg), Hennie Henn (Rubberlip 4kg), Liza Labuschagne (Salmon 9.80kg), Fernando da Silva (Snoek 9kg), Cobus Kruger (Dorado 15.20kg), Elwyn van Niekerk (Cuta 30kg), Christo de Vries (Yellowfin Tuna 20.2kg), Eben Vorster (Tuna 9.60kg), Kevin Olivier (Musselcracker 30.80kg) and Jared Motzouris (Queen Mackerel 9kg).

Special awards – Junior catch: Dale Leenstra (King Mackerel 19.80kg), Ladies catch: Liza Labuschagne (Salmon 9.80kg), Tag and release: Louis Roos (Black Marlin), Bay winner – George (Catface Rockcod 2.60kg) and Deep Sea winner – Riaan Bodenstein (Queen Mackerel 9.2kg).