Round 3 of the NBC saw a fleet of 29 boats head to the magic Hastings River system in Port Macquarie on the NSW mid north coast.

After two rounds already fished this round would see anglers muscling for rank to get their place firmly in the Grand final at Sydney Boat Show in August.

While others are fishing to stay alive in the series purely fishing for points to keep their heads above water with a few battles going on further down the ladder as at the end of the 4 comp series the top 20 teams go into the GF.

The base for most anglers and the briefing location was the well run Sundowner Caravan Park , smack in town, and well accommodating for all who stayed there. A river system well renown for its by catch during Bream events stood up to its reputation and most anglers actually enjoyed tangling with big Flatties and some line burning Trevally, I know I did.

The weather on the first day was A1 and with light winds and a massive system gave the competitors the opportunity to travel and fish alone.

Although the conditions were great the amount of 24cm fish proved frustrating for most, but once again the beyond Elite anglers rose above that to come home with good bags. Team Beyond elite C weighed in 3.1 kg for 5 fish closely followed by Team Beyond Elite A with 3.028 kg and Team Craig Johnson Designs nipping at their heels, both with 5 fish limits.

Day two saw the weather start off kind but the forecast was for change by mid morning and it came true although not with a vengeance. Snag fishing, surface lures, deep jigging or hard bodies on the flats this system had it all to offer and not much of it went untouched or methods un tried by the end of the weekend.

Team Beyond Elite A had a great and improved second day snaring them another victory with a 10 fish limit for the weekend of 5.896kg seeing them take home another $5000 cheque.

Team Evinrude E-Tec had an improved second day also and climbed a couple of places to finish second with 5.276kg and likewise Team Independent had a good second day to grab third.

Team CJ designs grabbed fourth and all on surface lures, great effort for the time of year.

Andrew “Swoffa” Walker from Team CJ also landed the Big Bream for the weekend and picked himself up a quality Ian Miller Bream rod.

As always a great relaxing weekend of comp fishing was had by all on this diverse estuary system, well done to organisers and sponsors who all mingled with competitors on both evenings over the weekend for dinner and drinks.

Berkley Round Information click here

Berkley results click here

Sponsors

Sydney City Toyota, Haines Hunter, Evinrude E-Tec, Berkley , Lowrance, Squidgies, Shimano, Mako Sunglasses, Miller Rods, Dura Hub, Club Marine.