The fourth consecutive Rivoli Bay Jetties Junior Fishing Competition recently wrapped up with more than 150 people under the age of 17 participating.
The competition, held during the April school holidays, began with a workshop at the Beachport Recreation Centre.
Wattle Range Council’s Acting Manager Community and Development, Suzanne Judd was impressed with the record number of participants.
“Over 110 young people attended to learn tips and tricks about fishing, such as baiting a hook, tying a knot, and identifying fish species,” she said.
“Council extends a huge thank you to the Beachport Lions Club volunteers for their tremendous support providing information at the workshop stations.
“We would also like to acknowledge the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other patient adults who time after time took their junior anglers out in all-weather to fish, making memories that last a lifetime.”
The six-day competition at the Beachport and Southend Jetties is the largest land-based junior fishing competition for school aged children in Australia.
Each participant received a fishing rod, tackle box, measuring stick and whiting rig free of charge and made possible through local sponsorship.
The Ocean Earth Foundation also joined in during the workshop day and conducted their Yabby Trap Round Up initiative.
Opera house yabby traps, which are now illegal in South Australia, were collected with plans to recycle them into useful products for fishers.
More than 250 of the pots were swapped for the regulation pyramid style nets and the group reported one of their most successful round ups to date.
Following the end of the six day fishing competition a presentation night was held at the Beachport Bowling Club for the young fishers involved.
The 2024 prize winners were:
The Wobbegongs (6 years and under): Winner – Asher Sullivan 30cm mullet, runner up – Townes Campbell 26cm tommy ruff, meritorious – Lyla Allen 25cm salmon and Hazel Bellin 22cm tommy ruff.
The Tigers (7-11 years): Winner – Mazi Hales <1m skate, runner up - Henly Scott 37cm baracoota, meritorious - Kobe Skeer 29cm Mullet. The Great Whites (12-17 years): Winner - Leni Clifford <1M skate, runner up - Zarli Gronn, 47cm baracoota, meritorious - Cooper Walters 14cm ornate cowfish. Open Shark Category: Winner Leni Clifford 85cm Port Jackson Shark from the Beachport Jetty. Fun Photo Winners: Lettie Gronn, and Nathaniel and Morgan Aberle. Workshop Passport Prize: Henly Scott. Sponsorship Stamp Prize: Bobby Campbell. The competition supported sustainable fishing and encouraged catch and release practices and there were no prizes for catching the most fish.
