Anglers pumped

Anglers needing an excuse to get away this weekend are welcoming this year’s Pil-Barra competition, hosted by the Port Hedland Game Fishers Club.

Beginning this Friday, anglers of all ages will meet at the club on McKay Street for a briefing before heading out on Pilbara waters.

Club president Gavin Jones said he was looking forward to some nice catches this year as there had not been a cold patch as in previous competitions.

“This is purely a capture and release competition — we ask people to ask their catch for a big smile and a photo before releasing it back to swim another day,” he said.

“Each entry gets a point per centimetre and the one with the biggest catches wins.”

While the main target is barramundi for the competition, the club will weigh jewfish, mangrove jacks and salmon.

Mr Jones said the format of the competition had changed slightly with a briefing between 6 and 6:30pm on Friday night and then back for the weigh-in, 2-5pm on Sunday afternoon.

Directly following the weigh-in will be the presentation dinner.

“This competition is open to all levels of fishermen,” Mr Jones said.

“It’s a very fun and very relaxed competition.”

Competition entry fees start at $70 for members and $80 for non-members.

For more information on how to get involved in the competition contact Hedley McManus on 0407 427 452.