Port Fairy’s Paul Dumesny claimed fishing prizes for reeling in the heaviest snapper, tuna and flathead.
DON’T let the name mislead you — the Shipwreck Coast Classic is about hundreds of eager anglers taking advantage of good weather to bring home the best catch.
The eight-day fishing marathon draws in everyone from the recreational angler to the fanatic.
The event wound up yesterday on the Warrnambool foreshore with prizes for every category and size.
Warrnambool offshore fishing club publicity officer Lucas Wilson said numbers leaving the boat ramps between Peterborough and Port Fairy were easily the best in the competition’s history. “We had record entries. We had 448 enter. It’s good to see it getting bigger and bigger,” Mr Wilson said.
Prizes are the main incentive, with an $18,000 boat claimed by successful entrant Jean Rantall.
Port Fairy dairy farmer Paul Dumesny took a few days off the farm to escape 60 kilometres out to sea. The farmer was unfazed about claiming prizes for snapper, tuna and flathead. “I’ve done it every year. I’ve come close (to prizes) in the past couple years so I was determined.”
s.mccomish@fairfaxmedia.com.au