Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

Bass experts on Lake Cania, flooding cancels barramundi competition, Price wins first race of season

FISHING

The 2010 MotorGuide Bass Electric Convention proved to be a serious challenge for many of the country’s best fishers when they took to the water at Queensland’s Lake Cania. Sixty eight bass experts took part and delivered 54 bass to the scales over the two days, but the best performers were well rewarded with three MotorGuide electric trolling motors given away as prizes. David Trinder secured the number one ranked Bass Electric Angler title for the second straight year.

The 2010 Carlton MID Rocky Barra Bounty was cancelled due to floodwaters in the Fitzroy River Catchment. Flooding in the McKenzie and Dawson Rivers led to high-sedimentary run-off flood waters, causing the water downstream to become extremely unfavourable for barramundi fishing. It will take several months for the water to be dispersed. http://www.capricornholidays.com.au/

POWERBOAT RACING

Qatar Team's Jay Price won his first race of the season cruising to a 9.78 second victory and powered his way into first place of the World Drivers' Championship at the halfway mark of the 2010 UIM F1 H2O World Championship at the 15th Grand Prix of China. http://www.f1h2o.com/

John Tomlinson will be looking to put Team Abu Dhabi on the podium at their home Grand Prix in November, after seeing his hopes of a fairy tale return to Class 1 racing slip away in the Italian Grand Prix. Thirteen years after winning the Class 1 World and European titles, the American ace was back partnering Class 1 rookie Rashed Al Tayer. http://www.class-1.com/

SAFETY

The following need to wear lifejackets on a boat in NSW from 1 November:

1. Children less than 12 years of age when in a vessel less than 4.8 metres in length or

when in an open area of a vessel less than eight metres in length that is underway.

2. Occupants of a vessel less than 4.8m in length when the vessel is being operated at night, on open (ocean) waters, on alpine lakes, when boating alone or as a tender more than 400 metres from shore.

3. When the skipper judges that the situation is one of heightened risk at any time, and in any type or length of vessel.

4. By all persons being towed (including waterskiing, wakeboarding, parasailing and all towable devices)

Currently, it is compulsory to wear a lifejacket when crossing a coastal bar. For details on all the new regulations see http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/

NEWS BRIEFS

Pontoon installation for the first stage of Port of Airlie’s Marina has begun. A range of 15-25m berths will be installed over the next few weeks, shaping the marina which is due to become operational by the end of the year. The pontoons, made of concrete with a 500mm freeboard, are manufactured by Pacific Pontoon and Pier and feature a newly-designed rounded pile bracket end with continuous fendering and high-density multi-roller pile rings. The new design also has soft edges for ease of berthing for skippers.

Major earthworks are well underway on the $110 million Townsville Marine Precinct, which will provide a safer and cleaner home for Townsville's commercial fishing fleet, marine fabrication and repair industries, marine research facilities and other marine operators. With 4000 tonnes of fill arriving every day, the precinct is on track to be completed by late 2011. http://www.marineqld.com.au/

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Oct 24 – Davistown Putt Putt Regatta & Wooden Boat Festival, Central Coast NSW. The focus is on the heritage fleet of Putt Putt boats that were a vital form of local transport in the early 1900. Market stalls, on-and-off shore entertainment. http://www.visitcentralcoast.com.au/

Oct 29-31 -- Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic 2010, Mt Isa. Family friendly event hosted by the Mount Isa Fish Stocking Group Inc. has events both on and offshore. http://www.mountisafish.org.au/

Oct 30-31 -- Australian Superboat Championships final, Temora, NSW. http://www.v8superboats.com.au/

Nov 5-7 -- Wide Bay Australia Bundy Thunder, Bundaberg will be jammed packed with adrenalin pumping boat racing, water and boat displays and fun for the whole family. http://www.bundythunder.com.au/

Nov 6-7 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 5, Geelong. <a href="http://www.superboat.com.au/"><font color="#800080">www.superboat.com.au</font></a>

Nov 13-14 -- Australian Offshore Superboat Championship - Round 5, Geelong. <a href="http://www.superboat.com.au/"><font color="#800080">www.superboat.com.au</font></a>

Nov 13-14 -- The Copper Cove Marina Festival in South Australia will combine the best products and produce from local boating, seafood and wine suppliers. www.coppercove.com.au/marina_festival

Nov 20-21 -- Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic, Hawkesbury River www.waterskinsw.com.au/

Nov 20-28 -- 2010 Lake Mulwala Power Festival in Victoria http://www.lakemulwalapower.com.au/

Nov 26-28 -- 2010 World Grand Prix Hydroplane Championships on Lake Mulwala, Yarrawonga. More at http://www.lakemulwalapower.com.au/ and http://www.gpworlds.vicapba.com.au/

Dec 1 - Murray Cod season opens

Photograph: Day two champion Ricky Simmons at the 2010 MotorGuide BASS Electric Convention

Weekly Powerboat and Fishing Summary

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