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Great Barrier Reef Ribbons Fishing Tournament breaks record

The Ribbons Ladies Game Fishing Tournament is done and dusted for another year! With this, we farewell the 2013 Black Marlin Heavy Tackle Season and put away the 130’s until next season.

It was a record turnout for the 30^th Annual Ribbons Ladies Game fishing Tournament that was held last weekend with 180 anglers competing on 56 boats! In the less than ideal conditions, still a total of 7 Billfish were successfully tagged & released and a whopping total of 105 game fish were weighed in.

And the winner is…

Congratulations to Champion Senior Angler Michelle Moseley on board “Sea Nami” who nailed an early Marlin & weighed the heaviest game fish, an 18kg Spanish mackerel! And to Champion Team “Black Magic” who landed one Billfish and weighed in 13 other game fish! Runner’s up team were Chamois Free who landed one marlin and several Mahi Mahi.

Too much fun:

Competitors are from as young as 8 years old with the oldest in her 70’s compete in the all-female event in various categories. One of our favorite is the “Best decorated Team”. The teams go all out in full costume and decorate their boats in streamers, balloons, banners for the traditional sail-past, it is a spectacular sight for all those that line Sailfish Quay at the Marlin Marina, Cairns at the mere morning light around 6:45am on the first Saturday of December. Be sure to watch out for the water-bombs thrown back and forth from each of the boats! I was lucky enough to be involved this year on board Tim Richardson’s luxury vessel; “Tradition”. Dressed up as cheerleaders, I’m sure Tim hasn’t seen so much pink strung from his boat ever before! We were unlucky on the bite; however I’ve never had so much fun in 25 knots before!

It all started with an idea:

The “Ribbons” began back in the glory days of Jack Erskine and Dennis “Brazakka” Wallace” some of the pioneers in Heavy Tackle Big Game Marlin fishing in the Far North who would go out fishing in the months of September to December. It was a day where the handful of Skippers get to let their hair down and take their wives fishing, a day to say “thank you” to the women behind this incredible industry and the name ‘Ribbons’ is a toast the Ribbon Reefs. Today the Ribbons Ladies Game Fishing Club is recognized as a Queensland Game Fishing Association (QGFA) Club and all records taken throughout the event (and believe me, there has been many!) are recognised and recorded by the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA). The “Ribbons” is arguably the biggest ladies only game fishing tournament in the world! A serious event that is serious fun!

A game fishing Mecca:

Cairns, Australia are one of the world’s premier Game fishing hot spots attracting fishing enthusiasts from every corner of the globe. With other attractions like The World heritage Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest at your doorstep, Cairns and Tropical North Queensland really is the ideal Holiday destination for everyone!

Sign up today:

If you would like to know more about the “Ribbons” Ladies game fishing tournament or how you can experience a day out fishing the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, maybe even catch a “Grander” Giant Black Marlin? Give us a call! We’ll hook you up with the best Game Fishing Boats from Cairns to Lizard Island.

Have a look at Cairns Holidays Specialists fantastic accommodation deals & tours and start planning your dream holiday today! www.cairnsholidayspecialists.com.au or Call a friendly team member on 07 4059 5959

Author: Leah – A Cairns Holiday Specialists Tour Specialist and Fishing expert