Entries sought for shootout
Anglers are rigging up their gear in preparation for the 12th annual Billfish Shootout to be held off the Dampier coast by Nickol Bay Sports Fishing Club during the WA Day long weekend.
Club chairman Ken MacFarlane said the competition billed itself as a great weekend out on the water for families, men, women, juniors, seniors and teams of all experience levels.
"We get to catch amazing fish off Dampier and all competitors are coached in how to release them safely back into the environment," he said.
"We tag and release all billfish for important research for the NSW Department of Fisheries.
"Everyone who catches a billfish goes into a mystery prize draw for prizes worth about $4000 to $5000."
More than $20,000 worth of prizes will be awarded for junior boys and girls right through to adults and teams.
There will also be free giveaways and door prizes from Argonaut Marine Group.
Mr MacFarlane said anglers old and new would have the chance to brush up on their skills in the lead-up to the shootout, with a free information night at Hampton Harbour Boat and Sailing Club.
"On May 13 from 6pm, everyone can come down and experienced billfishermen/women will be demonstrating to the public how to rig up, tow lures and rig live and dead baits to catch billfish like black marlin," he said.
"We'll also be showing how to safely release billfish so they have the best chance of survival.
"The Department of Transport will be conducting a demo on flare safety and correct maintenance and operation of life jackets, as safety for all competitors is a high priority for NBSFC."
Mr MacFarlane said once people knew the basics, it was surprisingly easy to catch what was regarded as one of Australia's premier sport fishing icons.
Entry forms can be downloaded from the Nickol Bay Sport Fishing Club's website.
