The Sportsfish.com.au Dash for Cash 2003

Sportsfish.com.au once again presented the 'Dash 4 Cash' and determined to make it bigger and better again this year.

Winners are Griners!!

At the conclusion of Saturday night Windamere Classic presentation all competitors were issued with the Dash rules and calculation score sheets.

This year we again made a few changes to the competition - we like to keep everyone on their toes you know!

Firstly, the duration was extended by half an hour to just two and a half 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 $1,750.

First prize would take $1,000, second place $500 and third would win $250. So really, everyone would be in the event with a chance to win some money right to the death.

This years Dash reverted back to the biggest single fish and to make things even more interesting a sliding scale of bonus points was introduced to all time zones. You could return as many times as you liked but only one fish would count.

This meant that even in the last session someone could grab first prize! And sure enough the formula proved a winner with top scoring fish chopping and changing as each new fish was presented to the officials.

The day started on time with a dingos breakfast at 6:45am with the more 'healthy' members enjoying a hearty eggs and bacon sandwich washed down with copious amounts of black coffee and/or tea. Many of the teams had arisen early and launched their boats prior to attending the 'Dingos' breakfast. Already there was talk about the mornings strategies and possible fishing hot spots.

Keep a sharp eye out boy!

A number of 'first timers' were given assistance and guidance about the Dash by other seasoned competitors, final checking of rigs, lures, live bait tanks and boats and it was time to get the show on the road!

The Morning was a foggy one with visibility low, so the starters boat was brought closer to the shore. 8am saw the entire field of competitors assembled on the water surrounding the start boat. The Dash had attracted a reasonable crowd for the start from other visitors to the Dam. Boats could be seen jockeying for positions for a clean getaway, all where in readiness.

Then BANG! Boats charged off in every direction to start fishing.

We had as our official Fisheries rep the Principal Manager of Recreational fishing Mr. John Diplock on hand to attend to the official measuring. I have a feeling that last years rep Mark James might have held back a few of the finer points of the dash; like from the moment the flare goes off it is action stations!

Once again the field split into two distinct patterns; the teams heading for the close grounds and the rest heading up the dam. Over the previous years the winners have come from the closer grounds and it appeared that many of the teams decided to employ this tactic this year.

The Sportsfish Crew barely had time to get the start boat out of the water, set up the measuring area when at exactly 8:08am, the 'Old Guns' team came off the plane and glided into the measuring area with what turned out to be the winning fish! John wades into the water with measuring board and certifies a 65cm fish that scored 8450 points once the bonus had been added.

John Diplock from NSW Fisheries checks a fish

Six minutes later 'Gettin Hammered' returned a solid 53cm fish to score a massive 6890 points and be in the cash. The Big Native team followed close behind and for a time were in 3rd place.

However more fish were returned in the next three time zones which saw 'Gettin Hammered' being just that! Big Native followed down the placings as more fish returned for measuring.

The eventual runner-up coming out of the 5th time zone at 9:15am. I think the competitors realized that the points and zone systems really did have them in with a big chance right up to the last zone. As teams came in and measured their fish all returned to fishing with only one boat pulling out around the 10.00am mark.

The event was still anyone's to win, and 20 minutes to go the first prize was not yet secured. One fish over 65cm could still have pinched the money! Alas that was not to be and at the final siren the Old Guns beat off all contenders.

The presentation was held up a bit to allow the competitors time to load their boats and gear as most remained on the water to the last possible minute!

Catch & Release came 3rd and won $250.00, Windybellies 2nd and won $500.00 and the $1000 first place went to Old Guns. Ray Whitmore accepted the prize on behalf of the team. The winning fish was caught on a shallow diving Whitmore Cray, black body with redhead.

Ray said a few words and shared his information on how the caught the 65 cm winner. Ray went on to say "I also fitted a rattle to this one. Trolls at 14 feet. We pulled the hooks on a fish of the same quality on the same lure saturday."

"Experience has educated us to the habit of big fish isolating themselves and becoming loners, unless water condition and temp are perfect for spawning. Our plan was to cover as many likely spots and water as possible. Lady luck sailed with us on the day as it paid off on the very first location." said Ray.

"Its great to catch a golden of 65cm at any time fantastic when its on a lure you designed and created and unbelievable when it happens in the first couple of minutes in a timed event." concluded Ray.

Steve Barton recieves his Bing Lee Camera

Presentations concluded there was one last bit of business to attend to.

Bing Lee Electrial kindly supplied one Olypmus 150 Digital camera for a raffle for the Dash for Cash.

Bing Lee are a major suponsor/supporter of Sportsfish Australia and it was fantistic for them to now support the Dash 4 Cash. I would like to publicly thank them for this kind gesture.

Only requirement was that you had to be at the presentation. All competitors names were placed in a bucket and one name drawn out.

The winner of this fantastic camera was first timer Steve Barton.

And so went the Sportsfish.com.au 2003 Dash 4 Cash for another year. See you all next year for an even bigger and better event!

Neil Ryan

Final Team Scores:

The Gallery!