Flett explains the area he targeted, the bite pattern and the lures that performed during the tournament, "We were fishing in 12-14ft of water with a featureless bottom. The area held an eddy of warmer water from the power station which held bait and in turn larger predators including bream. By-catch in the area included large flathead, jewfish, trevally, tailor, squire and whiting. Wayne Reed and I had caught 6.5kg and 5.5kg bags three weeks before the event and did not fish there again until Friday prefish. One cast for a 900grm fish confirmed that the fish were still there".
"On day one, the second cast of the morning produced a 1.63kg bream. This was followed by an 800gram bream on a blade. I then switched to plastics and filled the rest of my tournament bag. Once I had 5 legal fish, it was back to blades for the rest of session, which produced around 20 legal fish with 5-6 upgrades. My non-boater Peter Jarvis caught a kilo fish and two legal fish on plastics in the first two hours, then went the following two hours without a legal fish. I gave him the same blade I was using and he promptly caught a 1.63kg & 1.2kg bream and secured 3-4 upgrades in the last two hours. It was one of those great days on the water where nothing went wrong".
"On day two I landed a 30cm bream on my 5th cast and the non boater a legal fish straight after. I started thinking that it was going to be another great day. It took another hour until I caught another legal. That was followed by one fish every 40mins after that. Like everyone we were waiting for the wind that never really kicked in. I was happy to have my limit, but felt that I had left the door open for the other competitors .It was great to see the sportsmanship shown by fellow competitors granting us access to the location where we had been fishing for the entire first day".
"The lure that did the damage was a Damiki 42mm vault blade in Holo Green Iwashi (014) and Holo Black Iwashi (016) retro fitted with VMC Pyramid triple strength size 12 trebles. I exchanged the snap clip with a no1 split ring, which reduces the lure from fouling as often. My outfit was a 7ft, 2-5kg Duffrods Camostix rod with a Shimano1000 twin powers reel spooled with 5lb green Power Pro braid and 3m of 4lb Sunline FC Rock leader".
"When fishing plastics, the 3 inch Damiki Craft Armour Shads in Moebi (008) and Goldmix Fleck (415) colours rigged on 1/8th-size 1 TT jigheads, I used a 7ft, 1-4kg Duffrods Camostix rod teamed with a Shimano 1000 twin powers reel spooled with 5lb green Power Pro braid and 3m of 4lb Sunline FC Rock leader".
Flett not only secured the first prize cheque, but also took advantage of the sponsor's bonus program by taking out both the Mercury and Motorguide sponsors bonus, adding a further $500 to his substantial winnings. Another $250 for the shared event big bream was further icing on the cake for his fine effort during the tournament.
Flett's colleague Wayne Reed, 10/10, 7.03kg finished strongly but was unable to bridge the lead Flett amassed over two sessions. The two anglers both fished the same location for the tournament, having previously identified it during the pre-fish. Reeds session one bag of 2.89kg left him just shy of two kilograms behind the leader, but a storming day two effort where he brought in the largest limit of the day (5/5, 4.14kg), made for a tense tournament finish. In the end Flett held on by 520grams to eclipse his close friend and rival.
"In session one I started with plastics and probably persisted too long before changing to a deeper presentation. As it played out Flett fished well for both sessions, and found the fish to do the job. He is a good friend and I congratulate him on his performance and wish him the best for the remainder of the season".
Reed's outfit consisted of a 7ft, 2-5kg Duffrods Camostix rod with a Daiwa Steez 2508 spooled with 5lb green Power Pro braid and 3m of 4lb Sunline FC Rock leader.
A humble Flett also took the time to thank Reed for his assistance and help prior the tournament. Acknowledging Reeds vast experience on the waterway, as well as his sharing of information was the epitamy of ABT's motto "Who Shares Wins" and a perfect conclusion to a tightly fought contest. Taking out the champion non-boater Category was Peter Jarvis 6/10, 4.94kg. Jarvis fished with Greg Flett on day one and Mitch Birt on day two. On day one Jarvis took advantage of the location and bite pattern to boat his five fish limit and head into day two with a substantial lead.
"Day one was one of those very special days you have on the water. I started with a plastic presentation, a Berkley 4" Powerbait minnow in pearl watermelon colour rigged on a Cultiva 1/0 ¼ oz jighead. I then changed to a Berkley 4" minnow in banana prawn colour on the same jighead. I have a lot of faith in the Cultiva jigheads built with Owner hooks and in my mind the presentation gave the fish something different to look at compared to what my boater was using".
"I changed to a Strike Pro blade then Flett offered me one of his Damiki blades, which he had success on during the session. Immediately the blade (grey with a golden head and black back) was in the action and after that I didn't look back. The Damiki did the damage".
"At the weigh in my limit went 4.94kg and I weighed a bream that matched Flett for first day, and eventual, big bream of 1.63kg. A big thanks to Flett for his help and a special memory that I will carry throughout my tournament career".
"Heading out with Mitch Birt on day two we found fish but the bites were very tentative. Even with stingers the fish would run for ten meters then drop the hook. We fished Gwandalan and Chain Valley Bay in 14-18 feet of water using blades and plastics. I secured one fish on a Berkley 3" minnow in pearl watermelon colour rigged on a Cultiva 1/8th oz jighead. It was my only fish for the session but the 420grams was enough to hold on to the win. A big thanks to my boaters, all the sponsors and ABT".
Jarvis took away a great prize courtesy of the BREAM series sponsor Daiwa including rods, reels, line, clothing, lures and much more. Jarvis' day one kicker secured him $250 for the events big bream.
"I enjoy the social aspect of tournaments and often meet fellow anglers whom I haven't seen for years. To have that opportunity and to walk away with some great prizes and cash makes for a memorable experience. Again many thanks to all those involved".
Jarvis' outfit consisted of a G Loomis dropshot 8200 DSR rod teamed with a Shimano 2500 twin power reel spooled with 4lb Berkley Fireline and 7lb Yamatoyo VHard leader.
Anglers now look to the next event, the Ugly Fish Tweed River BREAM Qualifier, July 10th -11th. For information regarding this event check out www.bream.com.au or contact ABT on 07 3387 0888(B/H).
| Daiwa BREAM Series: Mercury Lake Macquarie BREAM Qualifier Boater Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place | Angler | State | F1 | W1 | F2 | W2 | TF | TW | Payout | |||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Gregg FLETT | NSW | 5 | 4.86 | 5 | 2.69 | 10 | 7.55 | $2500 + $250 Mercury Bonus + $250 Motorguide Bonus + $250 Big Bream + $50 Motackle.com.au Voucher | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Wayne REED | NSW | 5 | 2.89 | 5 | 4.14 | 10 | 7.03 | $1,300 + $50 Motackle.com.au Voucher |
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| 3 | Steve MORGAN | QLD | 5 | 3.35 | 5 | 3.63 | 10 | 6.98 | $1,000 + $50 Motackle.com.au Voucher | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | John STARTIN | NSW | 5 | 2.76 | 5 | 3.52 | 10 | 6.28 | $700 + $50 Motackle.com.au Voucher | |||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Adam SCZEPANIAK | NSW | 5 | 4.45 | 3 | 1.43 | 8 | 5.88 | $500 + $50 Motackle.com.au Voucher | |||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Kristoffer HICKSON | NSW | 5 | 2.84 | 5 | 2.9 | 10 | 5.74 | $500 | |||||||||||||||||
| 7 | John BALCOMB | NSW | 5 | 3.19 | 5 | 2.54 | 10 | 5.73 | $400 | |||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Codie STEWART | NSW | 5 | 2.95 | 5 | 2.77 | 10 | 5.72 | $400 | |||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Ross CANNIZZARO | NSW | 5 | 4.01 | 4 | 1.59 | 9 | 5.6 | $150 | |||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Aaron HORNE | NSW | 5 | 3.17 | 5 | 2.35 | 10 | 5.52 | $150 | |||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Russell BABEKUHL | NSW | 5 | 2.66 | 3 | 2.28 | 8 | 4.94 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Scott TOWNER | NSW | 5 | 2.62 | 5 | 2.3 | 10 | 4.92 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Vicki LEAR | NSW | 4 | 1.72 | 5 | 3.18 | 9 | 4.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Peter MACOR | NSW | 5 | 2.08 | 5 | 2.68 | 10 | 4.76 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | David WELFARE | NSW | 5 | 2.25 | 5 | 2.32 | 10 | 4.57 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Jack OLMOS | NSW | 5 | 2.45 | 5 | 2.03 | 10 | 4.48 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Shayne GILLETT | NSW | 5 | 2.22 | 4 | 2.2 | 9 | 4.42 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | Warwick CREGAN | NSW | 4 | 1.91 | 3 | 2.45 | 7 | 4.36 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | Robert IRONS | NSW | 5 | 2.28 | 4 | 1.94 | 9 | 4.22 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | Richard POTTER | NSW | 4 | 2.09 | 4 | 2.11 | 8 | 4.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | Tom MCLEAN | NSW | 2 | 0.85 | 5 | 2.79 | 7 | 3.64 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 22 | Graham FRANKLIN | NSW | 5 | 2.76 | 2 | 0.88 | 7 | 3.64 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 23 | Daniel BROWN | NSW | 5 | 2.41 | 3 | 1.15 | 8 | 3.56 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 24 | Mark HEALEY | NSW | 5 | 2.5 | 2 | 1.03 | 7 | 3.53 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 25 | James ISON | NSW | 3 | 1.67 | 4 | 1.7 | 7 | 3.37 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 26 | Gill NEZIZ | NSW | 2 | 0.88 | 2 | 2.35 | 4 | 3.23 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 27 | Darren BORG | QLD | 1 | 0.7 | 4 | 2.42 | 5 | 3.12 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 28 | Tony NEAL | NSW | 3 | 1.66 | 2 | 1.31 | 5 | 2.97 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 29 | Mark MANGOLD | NSW | 2 | 0.81 | 5 | 2.14 | 7 | 2.95 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 30 | Scott DWYER | NSW | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1.9 | 7 | 2.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 31 | Martin RICHARDSON | NSW | 1 | 0.92 | 4 | 1.82 | 5 | 2.74 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 32 | Anthony THORPE | NSW | 1 | 0.47 | 4 | 2.1 | 5 | 2.57 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 33 | Matthew FINNEY | NSW | 1 | 0.38 | 5 | 2.17 | 6 | 2.55 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 34 | Jamie JOHNSON | NSW | 5 | 2.53 | 5 | 2.53 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 35 | Ian SEETO | NSW | 3 | 1.69 | 1 | 0.6 | 4 | 2.29 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 36 | Scott LEAR | NSW | 4 | 2.23 | 4 | 2.23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 37 | Adam WARD | NSW | 1 | 0.29 | 4 | 1.89 | 5 | 2.18 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 38 | Greg SEETO | NSW | 1 | 0.51 | 2 | 1.56 | 3 | 2.07 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 39 | Chris RUSSELL | NSW | 3 | 1.79 | 3 | 1.79 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 | Mitchell BIRT | NSW | 1 | 0.6 | 2 | 0.93 | 3 | 1.53 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 41 | Dean HAMMOND | NSW | 3 | 1.52 | 3 | 1.52 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 42 | Beau STARTIN | NSW | 3 | 1.37 | 3 | 1.37 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 43 | Darren DOWD | NSW | 3 | 1.33 | 3 | 1.33 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 44 | Mark HOLMAN | NSW | 3 | 1.24 | 3 | 1.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 45 | John TIMBRELL | NSW | 2 | 1.07 | 2 | 1.07 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 46 | Chris SEETO | NSW | 1 | 0.72 | 1 | 0.72 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 47 | Alan LOFTUS | NSW | 1 | 0.43 | 1 | 0.43 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 48 | Steele LAMBERT | NSW | -0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daiwa BREAM Series: Mercury Lake Macquarie BREAM Qualifier Non-Boater Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place | Angler | State | F1 | W1 | F2 | W2 | TF | TW | Payout | |||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Peter JARVIS | NSW | 5 | 4.52 | 1 | 0.42 | 6 | 4.94 | Daiwa Heartland Rods XA 701LFS/701MLFS, Daiwa Heartland Reels XA 2000/2500, Daiwa Sensor Braid, leader, shirt, sweater, polo shirt, cap, lures, $50 Motackle.com.au Voucher & $250 Big Bream | |||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Alan MCNAMARA | NSW | 5 | 3.15 | 3 | 1.74 | 8 | 4.89 | Samurai Reaction Rod 101, Prize Pack, $50 Motackle.com.au Voucher | |||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Simon MCALPIN | NSW | 3 | 1.91 | 5 | 2.48 | 8 | 4.39 | Ian Miller Rack Raider Rod 6'8", Prize Pack, $50 Motackle.com.au Voucher | |||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Kieran HILL | NSW | 5 | 2.19 | 5 | 2.02 | 10 | 4.21 | Shimano Starlo Stix 7'3", Prize Pack, $50 Motackle.com.au Voucher | |||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Bernard KONG | NSW | 3 | 1.56 | 5 | 2.55 | 8 | 4.11 | Spotters Prize Pack, Prize Pack, $50 Motackle.com.au Voucher | |||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Karen FONTAINE | NSW | 2 | 1.46 | 4 | 2.44 | 6 | 3.9 | TT Lure Pack, Prize Pack | |||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Suzanne SIRANOVIC | WA | 4 | 1.9 | 4 | 1.77 | 8 | 3.67 | Ugly Fish Pack, Prize Pack | |||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Paul DUNLOP | NSW | 2 | 0.78 | 5 | 2.39 | 7 | 3.17 | Squidgy Tackle Bag, Prize Pack | |||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Vaughn LEWIS | NSW | 5 | 2.35 | 2 | 0.8 | 7 | 3.15 | Prize Pack | |||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Nick LOTOTZKY | NSW | 1 | 0.41 | 5 | 2.63 | 6 | 3.04 | Prize Pack | |||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Mark LENNOX | NSW | 3 | 2.42 | 1 | 0.36 | 4 | 2.78 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Justin SHEATHER | NSW | 4 | 1.87 | 2 | 0.91 | 6 | 2.78 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Kevin ATTARD | NSW | 4 | 2.04 | 1 | 0.69 | 5 | 2.73 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Josh CARPENTER | Qld | 2 | 1.34 | 3 | 1.39 | 5 | 2.73 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | Mario FACCIOLLI | NSW | 1 | 0.44 | 3 | 2.02 | 4 | 2.46 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Gordon YEATMAN | ACT | 2 | 1.18 | 2 | 1.27 | 4 | 2.45 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Chris FINDLAY | NSW | 2 | 0.78 | 1 | 1.56 | 3 | 2.34 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | Tony THORLEY | NSW | 3 | 1.23 | 2 | 1.04 | 5 | 2.27 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | Craig TEMPLAR | NSW | 5 | 2.22 | 5 | 2.22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | Philip NIX | NSW | 2 | 1.8 | 1 | 0.41 | 3 | 2.21 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | Andrew REDDING | NSW | 3 | 1.6 | 1 | 0.51 | 4 | 2.11 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 22 | Clint WRIGHT | NSW | 3 | 1.97 | 3 | 1.97 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 23 | Karen BERRY | NSW | 1 | 0.43 | 3 | 1.5 | 4 | 1.93 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 24 | Shaun STEWART | NSW | 3 | 1.34 | 1 | 0.49 | 4 | 1.83 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 25 | Rodney THORPE | NSW | 2 | 0.95 | 2 | 0.87 | 4 | 1.82 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 26 | Nathan MCINNES | NSW | 1 | 0.33 | 3 | 1.46 | 4 | 1.79 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 27 | James SMITH | NSW | 3 | 1.74 | 3 | 1.74 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 28 | Rodney DOWLING | NSW | 1 | 0.64 | 2 | 1.01 | 3 | 1.65 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 29 | Chris MATHESON | NSW | 1 | 0.47 | 2 | 1.16 | 3 | 1.63 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 30 | Peter KELLEHER | NSW | 4 | 1.56 | 4 | 1.56 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 31 | Greg COOPER | WA | 1 | 0.5 | 2 | 1.06 | 3 | 1.56 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 32 | Benjamin DONNELLY | NSW | 2 | 0.91 | 1 | 0.56 | 3 | 1.47 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 33 | Scott BAKER | VIC | 1 | 0.43 | 2 | 1.03 | 3 | 1.46 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 34 | Robert BUCKHAM | NSW | 2 | 0.95 | 1 | 0.46 | 3 | 1.41 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 35 | Andrew WILLIAMS | NSW | 1 | 0.54 | 2 | 0.75 | 3 | 1.29 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 36 | Daniel SCOTT | NSW | 2 | 0.94 | 2 | 0.94 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 37 | Malcolm STEWART | NSW | 1 | 0.68 | 1 | 0.68 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 38 | Kevin WINCHESTER | NSW | 1 | 0.6 | 1 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 39 | Lex COURT | NSW | 1 | 0.54 | 1 | 0.54 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 | Jeffrey ESPIRITU | NSW | 1 | 0.48 | 1 | 0.48 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 41 | Luke NOVAK | NSW | 1 | 0.41 | 1 | 0.41 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 42 | Troy VANKAMPEN | NSW | 1 | 0.41 | 1 | 0.41 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 43 | Craig THOMPSON | NSW | 1 | 0.39 | 1 | 0.39 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 44 | Daniel TAMSETT | NSW | 1 | 0.36 | 1 | 0.36 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 45 | Dave HEDGE | NSW | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 45 | Gary CAMERON | NSW | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 45 | Dale CAMERON | NSW | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 45 | Rhys TIGGEMAN | NSW | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
