The Sportsfish.com.au Dash for Cash 2002

To say that the innaugural 'Dash for Cash' was a success in 2001 would be an understatement. As a new concept in fishing competitions it created incredible interest, not only for the scoring format, but also because of the cash prizes on offer. It has also been the model for other freshwater fishing competitions over the last twelve months.

Our own website, sportsfish.com.au was once again behind the 'Dash' and determined to make it bigger and better again this year.

So with celebrations - or commiserations - continuing after the presentation of the Golden Classic, attention turned to what many had been waiting for, the announcement of the rules and format of this final Windamere Classic event, the sportfish.com.au Golden Dash.

This year there were a few changes to the competition - we like to keep everyone on their toes you know! Firstly, the duration was shortened by half an hour to just two hours, so the fishing effort was sure to be intense for the duration, especially considering that the total cash purse was also increased this year to $1,500 with spoils going all the way down to fifth place.

First prize would take $800, second place $350, third would win $200, fourth $100 and fifth $50. So really, everyone would be in the event with a chance to win some money right to the death.

A similar style of bonus points on a sliding scale would be used to reward fast returns, but the biggest change to the format was that each team would be able to return their two best live golden perch for scoring. This would definitely add a big twist to the tactics and strategies being planned!

With everyone marshalled for an 8am start on a perfect spring morning anticipation was high, and as happened last year the 'shotgun' start added plenty of excitement and spectacle. Boats charged off in every direction to start fishing.

Mark James was on hand from NSW Fisheries to officially measure and release each fish returned and he was kept busy virtually from the word go. Just 8 minutes into score time, 'Rhythm 'n Bass' returned with a 43cm fish that scored 58 points once the bonus had been added. Just two minutes later 'Softplastics.com.au' came back with a solid 55cm fish to score a massive 74 points for a great start, before roaring off again in search of a second fish.

Team 'Big Native' just sneaked back in the first 15 minutes to gain maximum points for a big 54cm fish that scored 72 points, and 'GoneDownUnder' picked up 67 points at 8.29am. Obviously things were going to be tight! 'Black Pete Pirates' scored 48 points at 8.33.

The event was still anyone's to win, and 45 minutes into the session 'Softplastics.com.au' flew back with a second big fish. At 54cm and 67 points it gave them a lead that would be hard to beat. Four more teams, 'Catch & Release', 'Canobolas Marine', 'Going Bush' and 'Old Guns' also returned with fish in the next twenty minutes or so and then the 'Pirates' made another trip back at 9.10am with their second fish to score a further 56 points and jump into a clear second place.

Over the next forty minutes 'Oakdale Workers', 'Last Cast', 'Millerods' and 'Freshwater Fishing' all returned with fish, meaning there was now twelve teams back out on the water and only needing one more fish to rocket up the board and into a cash place.

As my team had already returned one fish and had headed back to try for another, I was casting like a madman as the clock ran down when my son Jack called out "Dad, can we go home now?"

"Just a few more minutes mate, that's all there is left", I replied.

"But it's getting hot!" he said. When I replied that we only needed one more fish to win some serious money, and didn't they want their share, there was a mad rush between he and his sister for their rods so they could start casting again. "You can stay as long as you like Dad!" he called over his shoulder!

On the very last cast, and standing next to the boat I did actually hook a fish, which sent both kids into a frenzy. But when I pulled the hook they were more devastated than I was. I reckon they'd already spent their money in that few seconds I was hooked up!

Back at the base there was a crowd waiting to hear the results. Only two of the teams had managed to bring back their maximum of two scoring fish. It was the quality brace of fish by 'softplastics.com.au' that kept them at the front pretty much from the word go to take the big money. 'Black Pete's Pirates' came in second, followed by 'Big Native' who managed to hold on to third place for what must have been a nerve-wracking hour and forty-five minutes!

Fourth place went to 'GoneDownUnder' and 'Catch&Release' fought off the rest for fifth place. A full list of fish returned is hereabouts.

And so went the Sportsfish.com.au Dash for Cash for another year. We'll be scratching our heads for the next 11 months or so thinking of ways to spice it up again next year, and hopefully there'll be just as much fun and maybe even more cash to fight over!

Ian Miller