Patience certainly paid off for the crew on board Riviera 56 Enclosed Flybridge, The Battler, who won the 2014 Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic, which was held from April 12 to 13.

Skippered by fishing guru Captain Bob Jones, who has more than 29 Cairns marlin seasons under his belt, the team on board The Battler was up against some of Port Lincoln’s and Adelaide’s finest and most experienced anglers. With more than 25 boats, including 12 Rivieras, catching and releasing 248 southern blue fin tuna weighing between 10 and 15.5 kilograms over the two-day tournament, The Battler certainly had some fierce competition.

At 7.30am on day one of the tournament, the historic tuna boat The Tacoma (circa 1948) led the fleet out of the Harbour with a spectacular sail past. When the classic tuna trawler, credited as being the founder of the Port Lincoln Tuna fishing industry, sounded her horn it marked the start of the race to Memory Cove and fishing begins at 9am.

The team on board The Battler caught and released 48 tuna over the two days to win Champion Boat Overall. They also took out prizes for Champion Male Angler Overall (Tim Cooke), Runner-up Male Angler (Adrian Bothur), and Champion Boat Day One.

The Runner up trophy was awarded to the team on board Majessnik, a 42 foot Riviera for catching and releasing 30 fish, Champion Trailer Boat was Liquid Asset for catching and releasing 16 fish, and Runner up Champion Trailer Boat went to Dark Star for catching and releasing eight fish.

The prize for the heaviest fish weighing 15.5 kilograms went to Peter Smyth on board Gladiator, Champion Male Angler went to Tim Cooke on The Battler for catching and releasing 16 fish. Runner Up Male Angler went to Adrian Bothur on The Battler for catching and releasing 14 fish. Champion Female Angler was awarded to Meghan Tapley on board Noble One for catching and releasing eight fish. Runner Up Female Angler went to Susan Tarbotton on board Tari for catching and releasing seven fish. Champion Junior Angler was awarded to Ben Kapur on board a trailer boat for catching and releasing six fish, and Runner Up Junior Angler went to Ryan Hazelgrove also on board a trailer boat for catching and releasing two fish.

Event organisers are already planning next year’s Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic which will be held on the 11th and 12th of April and look forward to another successful event.

For more information, rules, guidelines and entry forms, contact ea@teakgroup.com.au