KNYSNA NEWS – The 2023 Tuna Nationals were hosted by the Atlantic Boat Club in Hout Bay from 15 to 20 May.
The Southern Cape team, made up of two anglers from Knysna and one from George, walked away with silver in the 10kg line category.
This year had an extra special feel as the competition was combined with the Cape Town Tuna International where teams from the Proteas, South African Sport Anglers And Casting Confederation (SASACC) and Egypt competed for honours. In total, thirteen teams participated.
Ten provincial teams fished in the 10kg line category and the three international teams fished in the 15kg line class.
The Southern Cape Deep Sea Angling Association (SCDSAA) team consisted of Connie Gartsman (captain) and Brett Wiehahn from the Knysna Boat Club, and Ewald Crause from the George Boat Club.
The team joined forces with skipper Thys Louw on the boat Olof, and after three days of fishing and plenty of large fish landed, the team from the Southern Cape emerged with the silver medal.
Brett Wiehahn stands proud alongside his Southern Cape record tuna haul.
The 10kg results were as follows:
SADSAA - gold, Southern Cape - silver, Barbarians Blue - bronze.
The 15kg results: Proteas - gold, SASACC - silver, Egypt - bronze.
Brett Wiehahn also landed the biggest fish of the tournament in the 10kg category, a yellowfin tuna of 81,3kg - a new Southern Cape record.
"Good consistent catches across the three days and being in the right place at the right time were key features of the success in the 2023 competition," Crause said.
"Thank you to the SCDSAA for sponsoring the team, as well as the ongoing support received from the George and Knysna boat clubs for the anglers in this year's event."
Brett Wiehahn in action, fighting fish during the competition.
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