4th Leg Doubles H.O.F.C 2015 Competition
4th Leg Doubles H.O.F.C 2015 Competition.
This Competition was held on the 15th March 2015 at Marsascala Promenade. Commenced at 07:00 & finished at 11:00. After several continuous Logistical challenges this venue was chosen, there was some changes to the primary venue due to Ship traffic at the Valletta Waterfront and ended up having to change the venue for this 4th Leg, Deep water quay had also the same issues & Valletta 'Foss' there was another competition going on. So with the way the weather was predicted Marsascala Promenade was sheltered.
We all met up at 06:00 the usual chatting & jokes between all participants, especially for the early birds. There were quite some anglers unsure about the venue so there was quite allot of speculation of what type of fish they expected. In the meantime the pegs where being placed, with the anglers eagerly awaited the draw to see which spot they were going to fish at the same time the 'H.O.F.C Jackpot' was drawn too.
Although the weather conditions were not the best around our Island this venue provided shelter & the swell was also very light due to the breakwater shelter seas were also very clear. As soon as the signal sounded at 07:00 you could hear the first cast landing & all the splashes of the ground-bait. There was a few bottom fish landed at some of the pegs. There was quite a few different spices caught but not quantities, it was mainly Grey Wrasse that were caught with a mixture of bottom fish Bream, Wrasse, a couple of Moray Eels , Rockfish , Common Pandora, small Flounder , Moon Wrasse & Gobies. There was a few Pegs where the landing any sort of fish was proving a challenge to get the fish to bite & you could see everyone trying out different techniques to try & catch as many fish possible. This was the same all the way through of the 4 hrs. competition just Focusing on how to land fish. In the meantime Brian Farrugia kindly offered to cook breakfast with the supplies brought by Lawrence Pulis for all present. Brian brought his utensils & his well-organised table cooker set up & started making all a much needed breakfast including a delicious home-made Oreo Dessert that he brought with him.
The Marshall's started the weigh in process as soon as the signal was given to end the fishing session at 11:00hrs. Anglers started rigging down the gear to follow the Marshall's weigh in process & see what fish was caught eagerly awaiting the results of each section to see how they all done.
Wish to emphasise that all the fish caught where all released. The Club practices catch and release in order to ensure sustainability and to avoid overfishing of fish from our waters. The usual gathering at the end of the match with everyone discussing what went on that morning, learning from each other knowledge experience & techniques used. Refreshments were made available by Raymond Farrugia & home-made cupcakes made by Sandra Agius Darmanin, thanks for the continuous support. There was raffle tickets also being sold with a chance to win a Palace 740 reel c/w pocket sponsored by ‘Fishin Fever Rabat' . Sandra Agius Darmanin was the winner for this draw.