The annual Two Oceans Marlin Tournament took place in Struisbaai between 12 and 18 February 2018.  As always the success of  a tournament such as this is weather dependent.   The boats might or might not land a marlin so to make the competition more interesting prizes for the heaviest bi-catch would be awarded.

Twenty Five boats from all over the country took part.   Each team was presented with a goody bag at the opening function on Sunday 11 February.

I tried to get as many photographs of the boats as I could but some came in too late and some stayed out overnight. Apologies to those who have been left out!

The competitors only got to sea three out of the six days due to poor weather and sea conditions.  However, nothing dampened their spirits and there was a great deal of camaraderie and catching up with old friends.

And as boys will be boys there was some mischief afoot and the deviants had to ‘pay’ for their misdemeanours.  Each evening the ‘wrongdoer’ would be named and shamed and called the ‘idiot of the day.’  He would then be subjected to the snuff sniffing punishment followed by downing of a shooter.  A fine was also levied upon him!

Over the six days there were several ‘idiots’ who gave everybody else a good laugh and were great sports about the resultant ragging.

Thanks to Marinda and her team, the most amazing meals were provided to all involved in the tournament.   The incredible bar assistants also kept their sense of humour and managed the demanding masses with smiles and kindness. Thanks too, to Elsa for all the record keeping.

Each evening there was something different happening.   On the auction night, money was raised for a past member’s deceased estate, The NSRI and Suidpunt Deep Sea Angling Club.  Thanks to all who made such generous bids on the rods, reels, wines and Garmin watches.

Everyone was supposed to dress up for the Hawaii Evening and some did. However, Kosie was the outright winner in his amazing outfit.

He also joined in the spirit of the evening when the dancing girls appeared.

All good things come to an end and after a great week of fun and fishing the prizes were handed out on Saturday evening.   The Marlin trophy was unfortunately not won but thanks to the incredible sponsors everyone got prizes for their participation, their by catch or team spirit.   Well done to all the fishermen for going out there and trying to hook a big one!

Prizes were presented as follows:

Andre Swart – Kind of Magic – 10 Year participation in The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament

Met Eish – Last Year’s 10 Year Trophy

Tony Dalton – Camaraderie Trophy

Certificates were presented  to:

Trevor Brinch vir sy volgehoue ondersteuning en werk om see veiligheid te handhaaf. (for his continuous support and work in maintaining safety at sea.)

Davy Schemuder for  “dedication and hard work towards safety at sea”

Prizes were awared to:

Bi Catch First Prize – Piet Steyn Marias  from Multi – vir ‘n Geelvin Tuna van 14.93kg.   (An Arniston Voucher plus some oil)

Bi Catch Second Prize – ET – Kuduro – Geelvin Tuna – 11.16kg (Black Oystercatcher Voucher and Oil)

Bi Catch Third Prize – Kobin Koch – True North – Geelstert van 7.45kg (Malgas Hotel Voucher and Oil)

Sunseeker II – Five strikes and 1 Hookup (Big Catch Voucher  + Cooler Box)

John Graeme – Hook Up – (Big Catch Voucher  and cooler Box)

Hard Luck Prize to Gareth – Team Tyler for out of Comp Fish (Voucher)

Hard Luck Prize to Koos Pretorious – Team Osprey for 1 recorded strike and 1 out of comp striped Marlin. (Big Catch Voucher)

Best Spirit prize of the book Rugby Vasvrae  – awarded to Team Capetonian, Team Kuduro and Jac van Niekerk, Dudley Rosslee, Bruce – D’Stress and Team Catitude.

Without the following sponsors The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament would not be possible. A Huge Thank you to them all.

• Robertson’s Toyota
• Raymarine Navionics
• Garmin SA
• Tiletoria
• FPM
• SQM
• Aarbeidsvreugd/Unifruit
• Simrad
• Penn Fishing
• Arniston Hotel
• Realty 1 Agulhas
• Addis
• Big Catch
• Big T Lures
• Black Oyster Catcher
• Breco Seafoods
• Caltex Struisbaai
• Coke
• Cornelis Ham
• Distell
• Henk Aggenbach
• Andrew van Zyl
• Lourens Odendaal
• Malagas Hotel
• Maxel Reels
• Seaport Supplies
• Ski Boat Magazine
• South Sea Suzuki
• Suidpunt Marine
• Van Loveren Family Wines
• Zulu Overland
• Viljoensdrift
• Airwise
• B&D Tegniese Dienste
• Bon Courage Wine Estate
• Build It Franschoek
• Certainty Charters
• Dirk Odendaal
• Glenwood Wines
• Rising Wave Accommodation
• Johan en Elizna Theunissen
• OK Grocer Struisbaai
• Paul van Niekerk