National game fishing titles to start in Hula

By BENJAMIN KOITAKA
THE 44th National Game Fishing titles start tomorrow in Port Moresby with tournament director Matthew Geoghegan saying the nine-day competition would involve at least 150 anglers with 20 boats.
Geoghegan said the annual tournament had also attracted Australian anglers.
“We’ve got 150 anglers at this stage with approximately 20 boats while our aim is to get 300 anglers and at least 30 boats,” Geoghegan said.
“We have a couple of boats coming in from Cairns so the international boats might be anchored in a trip-over with few lifeboats which is much appreciated.”
Geoghegan said fishing was expected to start from Hood Point (Hula) towards Gaire and Redscar Bay according to the grid map and designated fishing areas.
“We’ll abide by the grid map and our anglers and skippers will fish within the gridline because the rules says that we cannot fish outside the grid lines.
“The competition will cover down towards Hood Points and Gaire village.
“It’s quiet a large area.
“Boats will allowed to go out as early as 5am and lines-in by 6pm while weighing is 7pm.
“Any boats coming in later will be disqualified.
“We are well supported by the corporate houses and other businesses contributing lots and lots of donations and really good give aways.
“There are a few local boats that competed well in the last tournament and are ready to go and pretty excited to have them here,” Geoghegan said.
“Those local skippers have more knowledge in the waters here,” Geoghegan said.
He said the presentations would be next week Sunday (April 21).
“Hopefully this tournament might be very successful,” Geoghegan said.