Thank you to Andrew for his story on how he caught his marlin with the help of Team Multi
We prepared well for this competition and decided to target a striped marlin. Although we did the “Livey” thing, having seen how successful that was for John Graeme last year, we still had no success.
It was almost lines-up, we were in the zone where our skipper had caught marlin before so we changed the size of the lures and looked for a stripey. Luckily the timing was right and the first fish of the day was in my slot on the boat. I was on and quickly realised that if this was a stripey, it would complete the “Slam” for me. Black, blue and a stripey. What a relief when the call came that it was indeed my target fish, Needless to say, I had all the advice from an experienced crew with the normal amount of adjectives!
The fight was tough but worthwhile. We landed the marlin within the extra time. I have to thank my skipper and crew for the privilege. There is really no better feeling for me to land a trophy fish like this. Maybe winning the World Cup, again!
Multi returning in triumph
It is always a privilege to be part of this tournament!!
Thanks to Jaen van den Berg who with the help of the Maverick Team sponsored by Airmar caught a Marlin on Monday 12 February 2024. He tells his story in Afrikaans below which is the loose English translation.
Maandag gedurende hierdie kompetisie het een van my grootste drome gerealiseer -‘n gestreepte marlyn.
Al die lyne was in die water gereed vir aksie terwyl ons besig was om te braai en ek die marlyn in die spread raaksien. Alles is net so gelos en die groot adrenalienloop my beet pak … die marlyn is aan die longrigger!
Die dek word vinnig opgeruim en alles is reg en uit die pad uit terwyl ek die marlyn onder beheer probeer kry.
Die geveg is aanen ek het ongeveer 45min gestoei en getrek met baie raad, bystand en groot opgewondenheid van die crew. Eindelik is die marlyn langs die boot getrek die hoeke verwyder, die marlyn getag en release.
Baie dankie aan die crew JP Groenewald, Ron Penninkoff en Juan Needham wat gehelp het om my bucketlist korter te maak.
Maverick wapper met trots die marlynvlag
English translation
On Monday, the first fishing day of this competition, my biggest dream came true. I caught a striped marlin!
All lines were in and ready for action while we were busy making a braai and I saw the marlin in the spread. We left everything as the adrenalin kicked in. The marlin was on the longrigger.
The deck was quickly rearranged and everything was sorted out while I tried to get the marlin under control.
The fight continued for forty-five minutes with plenty of advice and support coming from the other crew members. The excitement was extreme.
Finally, the marlin was brought next to the boat and the hook was removed. We also tagged him
Thank you to the crew, JP Groenwald, Ron Penninkoff and Juan Needham who helped me to shorten my Bucket List.
On Tuesday 13 February, Simon Hipkin with the help of his teammates on Sea Cat caught his first-ever Marlin. This is his story
Our day out on Seacat
It’s my third year here, and up until late yesterday afternoon, I’d yet to see a marlin. Yes, we have had strikes and near misses, but that’s not quite the same!
As one of the smallest boats that enter the Two Oceans Annual Marlin comp, we don’t have the ability to run to Alfards and the 45 contour. We’ve had a game plan each year – get live bait and try to keep them alive long enough to get plucked by a marlin.
We’ve stuck to this year on year and only trolled Conas when we were between spots. Yesterday, we tried everything but couldn’t find a single live bait. So, all in on black as they say. We rigged a spread of 5 Conas and that floppy floppy thing. With 30 minutes to go, my two teammates were both suggesting lines up. Fortunately, I declined, and with 5 minutes to go, we hooked into a black marlin. The exhilaration of that beautiful dark body leaping out of the water is all it’s cracked up to be! It’s a memory I hope I’ll carry with me to the day I die!
Chris Steyn, skipper and cameraman, and Ben Johnson, the leader man, you guys were incredible. Neither of them had skippered or leadered a marlin before yesterday. I’ll go to war with you guys at my side any day.
The elation of getting the fish to the boat, Ben grabbing the leader, to the agony of it, to have it swim off again, just adds to the overall satisfaction. We managed to get it to the boat once again, leader it, remove the hook, and watch it swim off.
I’m hard-pressed to remember a better day on the water, and if not the best day of my lifetime, it’s certainly right up there.
The weather and sea conditions were perfect and the anglers had high expectations of getting their coveted marlin. But it was not to be and all had to be satisfied with catching fish for the Calcutta. I just took a few photos of the boats in the harbour as they came back from sea.
Click on the first photograph to see the slide show.
As it was Valentine’s Day today the staff were dressed in red and a few hearts were decorating the clubhouse. The fishermen were treated to the most delicious fish soup and swordfish for mains. Because it was Valentine’s Day dessert was red velvet cupcakes.
I made Earl wear a red shirt. Dahlene looking gorgeious in red
Those who committed misdemeanors had to take snuff and down a strafdop which gave everybody a good laugh and the guys (and one girl) were great sports about it all.
Naughty Jared from Kinda Magic stole a flag from outside the clubhouse! But he brought it back.
I’m not sure what Grant did but he head to sniff the snuff!
Hannis of Mojo overslept and made his crew late!
Poor Jacques from Mojo was accused by his crew of being a terrible skipper. Sorry Jacques – these guys just don’t appreciate you!
Apparently, Nick from My Way forgot how to fish? I’m not sure what that was all about!
Andrew on Gwaza was reprimanded for his inadequate radio. Perhaps it’s time to visit Suidpunt Marine to order a new one?
Nic from My Way had a lucky escape – he was not present to receive his punishment so Tammy (a girl angler!) took it on the chin for him! How’s that for supporting your teammates!
For some reason, the whole of Team Maverick was made to sniff and down a dop. It was something to do with them all being full of it or talking nonsense?
Apologies if I have the actual crimes wrong – it’s not easy keeping up with the comments while taking photos and keeping pace with what’s going on.
Then there was the presentation of prizes for the daily Calcutta.
Name and Boat
Weight of Fish
Andrew Pawson (Multi)
9.8kg Yellowtail
Eugene Terblanche (Indigo)
7.62kg Yellowtial
Ivaan de Jager (Multi)
7.62kg Yellowtail
Gawie Bruwer (Indigo)
6.46 Yellowtail
Henk Ackerman (Multi)
5.2kg Yellowtail
Serge Wessels (indigo)
5.1kg Yellowtail
Ben Johnson (Sea Cat)
3.6kg Yellowtail
Simon Lowe (My Way)
3.08kg Yellowtail
The weather for the next few days does not look promising so the boats may not be able to go out again. But the fun will continue at the evening functions. Below is a slide show of everybody enjoying the camaraderie.
Aaron and Tammy from My Way.- the latter is one of only two ladies fishing in the tournament
Sea and weather conditions were perfect this morning and the boats started launching well before six o’clock. It was a slow start but two ‘Dorado Marlin’ were called in before ten o’clock. We also had a beautiful rendition of “My Way” over the airwaves from Uncle Ted, Of course, Simon, the skipper of the boat, My Way was most flattered and invited Uncle Ted to join his crew!
Team Catitude – Nic, Mike (skipper), Ted (Singer), Frenchie
At 11:25 the first excitement hit the airwaves. Bad Co had a marlin on but unfortunately did not manage to bring him in.
Lots of Dorado and Macco Shark were called but it was only at 15:31 when Sea Cat hooked a black marlin and successfully released it at 16:07. Its estimated weight was 150 kg. Simon Hipkin, the angler will write a short report which will be published on this blog shortly.
Sea Cat’s Marlin – Screenshot from the videoSea Cat returning to port The Marlin Flag flies proudly
At 15:51 a striped marlin was hooked by Multi and released at 18:21. Its estimated weight was 120 pounds. The angler in the chair was Andre Pawson who will do a report for this blog shortly.
Multi’s Marlin – Screenshot from the video
A triumphant return to portProudly flying the Marlin Flag
The anglers were treated to the most delicious steak kebabs, chips and salad at the evening dinner. Afterwards, the exhausted anglers left for an early night and there were no presentations made for the Calcutta. Photos, etc will be posted in the next blog,
Very windy weather and rough seas prevented the boats from fishing on Day One of TOMT so there is not much to report about today’s activities. Dinner, was, of course, served at the club and this evening it was yellowtail and Cape salmon braaied to perfection.
A huge thank you Julian and Mark – Braai Masters Supreme!A great spread for the hungry crew
After enjoying a lovely evening together most of the anglers opted for an early night as it would be a fishing day on the morrow!
Monday 24 February 2024
The competition was called on and lines in was at 06h00. At that time the south easterly wind was around 12 to 15 knots. The sea was choppy but flattening.
The first sighting of a marlin was from Multi. The fish almost jumped onto the boat! That must have been both scary and exciting! What a great start to the day.
To add interest to the competition there is a Calcutta taking place. The boats can opt to join in by paying an entrance fee. Each angler may weigh one fish per day and a winner will be announced each evening. The overall winner at the end of the competition wins the pot.
At 14:17 a call came in from Maverick, a new boat in this tournament. Jaen van den Berg was vas with a striped marlin. He fought it till 15:01 before safely releasing it. It was Jean’s first marlin. Veels Geluk Jaen!
Jaen will write an account of Maverick’s effort to land their marlin and it will be posted on this blog shortly. All photos will be posted then.
Once again wonderful food was served for dinner at Suidpunt Diepsee Hengelklub this evening. On the menu was a delicious Osso Buco and the anglers, after a tough day at sea, ate heartily.
Here is a slide show of some of the participating boats as they came in this afternoon. I missed getting photographs of those who returned before lines-up but I will post them in a future blog.
Andrew from Marlin Control presented the prizes to today’s winners of the Calcutta and also metered out ‘straf dops’ and snuff to those who committed misdemeanors!
Maverick had already caught and released a marlin and then hooked another very big fish which they thought might be a second marlin but it was an enormous dorado!
Team Maverick with their beautiful winning ‘Dorado Marlin”Juan receives the Calcutta prize for MaverickEmile from Team Dory received the Second PrizeTeam Mojo was ill-prepared for the day causing confusion on the boat so skipper Jacque had to sniff snuff and down a straf dop for not controlling his crew!
Today marked the start of the Eighteenth Two Oceans Marlin Tournament, a popular annual event that is held at Suidpunt Diepsee Hengelklub in Struisbaai, Western Cape.
You can click on this link to read about the history of TOMT.
This is a fun catch, measure and release competition and the emphasis is on the conservation of these magnificent fish. All the prizes are donated by our generous sponsors who are listed below. Please support our sponsors,
Airmar
Astron Energy Struisbaai
Biltong and Java
Blenco
Bon Courage Wines
Buffelsfontein/Halewood
Cape Agulhas Surf Shop
Cemstone
Central Forklift
Chas Everitt
Corneilis Ham
Distell
Hadassah Interiors/Magda’s Leather
Four Cousins
FPM Suppliers
Garmin SA
Greenfish
Heinrich Tips
Henk Aggenbagh
HUSQVARNA
Jacita Bait & Tackle
Jebo Connect
Matthee Fire & Safety
Mercury
Peninsula Beverage
Pulsastor Lures
Raymarine Avion
Robertson Toyota
Simrad
Ski-Boat Magazine
South African Breweries
Springfield Wines
Suidpunt Marine
Vatalot
Vijoensdrift
Yamaha
Thanks to Suidpund Deepsea Angling Club for Hosting
This year boats are participating and they are listed below.
Kinda Magic
Andre Swart
Mojo
Jacques van Niekerk
Kevin Swart
Hannes Schreuder
Jared Swart
Anthony Tait
Iaan Viljoen
Grant van der Westhuizen
Steven Shanken
Brendon Tait
Bad Co
Mike Broderick
Multi
Roelof Visagie
Campbell
Dawie Theron
Richard Bell
Darious Steyn
Patrick Christodoulou
Andrew Pawson
Ivaan De Jager
Catitude
Mike Riley
Henk Ackerman
Michele Fleischer
Ted Horn
My Way
Simon Lowe
Nick Fleischer
Aaron Sachs
Tommy Von Wildenrath
Charlie’s Cat
C Geldenhuys
Nic De Stadler
D Geldenhuys
N De Beer
Sea Cat
Chris Steyn
F Greivenstein
Craig Maas
Simon Hipkin
Dory
Dudley Rosslee
Ben Johnson
Emile Le Roux
Andrew Davidson
Marco Polo
Rikus de Beer
Chris Gillet
Anton de Beer
Johan van der Walt
Christo de Beer
Quinten Jansen
Grace
Nuts Rupert
Theunis Kruger
G Rupert
Harold Turner
Gwaza
Andrew van Zyl
T Maree
Kobin Koch
Heinrich Tipps
Indigo
Gawie Bruwer
James Taylor
Werner Kotze
Eugene Terblanche
Maverick
JP Groenewald
Serge Wessels
Juan Needham
Pete Kotze
Jaen van den Berg
Ronald Penninkhof
John Graeme
Chris Goatley
Hylton Goatley
Loslappie
Peet Botha
Wayne Cooke
Monica Botha
John Leppan
Brendon Gravenor
Willem Skein
Briers van Rensburg
Chris Hepworth-Brown
Phillip Erasmus
Pierre de Wit
Ada de Wit
If any names are incorrectly spelled please let me know and I will correct them. They appear here as they were given to me.
At the opening function this evening the teams gathered to sign in, collect their goodie bags, and find out the modus operandi for the week.
As usual Marinda, manageress of Suidpunt Deepsea Angling Club and her amazing team put on a delicious spread for the anglers to enjoy. We have an Island Theme for this entire week and it was great to see how many embraced this by dressing up, wearing flower garlands and really getting into the spirit of the theme.
Marinda’s awesome kitchen team Nothing is too much trouble for these two (Trevor’s Photo)These guys always help with a lamb on the spit for the shawarmas
Most of the boats have fished the competition a few times before but this year we welcome two new teams – Maverick and Loslappie. Welkom hier by die Suidste Punt. Mag julle ‘n wonderlik tyd hier saam met ons deurbring.
Grant van der Westhuizen, the tournament director started the proceedings explaining the rules for the week and fielding some questions from the floor. Then Dudley Rosslee, the club president welcomed everybody before handing over to Andrew Perrins who controls the radios and announces weather conditions. A weather committee was elected and Sea Cat, the smallest boat will have the biggest say on whether to fish in dickie weather!
Grant our tournament director (Trevor’s Photo)Dudley Rosslee – Club President (Trevor’s Photo)Andrew Perrins – Radio Control (Trevor’s Photo)
Every year at TOMT Gawie Bruwer honours one of the legends in fishing and this year the plaque went to Mike Broderick.
Gawie expounds on the merits of Mike (Trevor’s Photo)Mike feeling flattered (Trevr’s Photo)The Award
The wonderful vocalist, Ted Horn, gave a wonderful rendition of “Danny Boy” to honour Mike. Ted is almost ninety years old, still fishes this competition and is still in full voice! Ted, never stop singing. We love your songs!
Uncle Tes singing “Danny Boy” (Trevor’s Photo)Mike Riley telling us that Uncle Ted is about to turn 90! (Trevor’s Photo)
Thank you to Trevor Brinch (Spotter One) for helping with the photography. His photos are amazing. The slide show that follows shows how TOMT 24 started on a very viby note. Click on the first photo and then use the arrows to move on to the next. The photographs were taken by Trevor and me.
Catching up Our hardworking Dahlene in perfect Island StylePiet feeling festiveTeam Dory MembersStraf Dop for naughty PietAnd for this guy too!Dahlene and me feeling IslandyMike loves the girlsLoving the island themeBar LadiesIsland LadsDon’t they look handsomeBar Girls dealing with the IslandersThese Two!Love this island shirt and that smile!Island BoysMike and mePiet annoying DahleneReady for TOMTWe support Airmar because they support usSome of the prizes and a couch for auctionThe Earl and I ready for the Island Week
Last night we put our camp chairs into the back of the car just in case it rained and rain it did! We had quite a few downpours during the night but by morning it had all gone away and we awoke to sunny skies.
This morning I was at the showers by half past seven and the Earl and I left camp at half past eight to meet our daughter and granddaughter at the Sedgefield Market. Only I had misread the time on my watch – it doesn’t have numbers – and it was an hour earlier! It was only when we saw the digital time in the car that we realised my mistake! So we did a scenic tour around Wilderness and then wandered around the Wild Oats Market until Lauren and Shannon met us at 9.
The Farmers’ Market at Sedgefield is well worth a visit. It is held every Saturday morning and is popular with locals and tourists alike.
Wild Oats Market
Opposite the market grounds are a few shops and more craft market stalls and when the kids arrived we went there and found a lovely restaurant where we could sit comfortably, have breakfast and chat. It was lovely to catch up with Shannon as we did not see when we visited for the Christmas holidays as she was in Queenstown with her fiance. She is getting married in March and the whole family will be gathering at St Francis Bay for the Easter Weekend. As you can imagine most of our conversation was about the forthcoming Big Event!
The other side of The Market – Lovely sculptures
The rest of the Gecko gang did their own thing all day today and gathered for a communal braai for the last evening which we missed as we had to leave to attend a function in Struisbaai. Our good friends Cath and Alec kindly left with us to provide support should anything go wrong. We really appreciate their support.
Thanks to all the Gecko Gang for a fantastic getaway. We had such fun and thoroughly enjoyed bonding with everybody at Ebb and Flow.
John Magner as I mentioned before took the opportunity to do a pentad for SABAP2. This project is very important for tracking the movement of birds in South Africa and where they are likely to be found. Many dedicated birders send in their cards to help with this project and we really appreciate their contributions.
This is the list that John got during our Gecko Camp. I have put an asterisk on the ones I personally saw too.
The day started a little later for me this morning and I only emerged from my Gecko just before 08h00. It was slightly cooler weather and it looked like it might rain. Once again we were all left to spend the day as we chose. John popped by to say that he and Jane would be going into town and then to do some bird trails. I asked him to please fetch me after the shopping and take me with him which he kindly agreed to.
While sitting enjoying the ambiance of our campsite and waiting to bird with John and Jane, I spotted a flash of red wings and leaped for my camera and then ran to the tree where I was sure the bird had landed. This roused the curiosity of the others in our laager and I excitedly pointed out the beautiful green bird. There were in fact three of them and everybody managed to see them.
One gave up his game of hide and seek and posed for his portraitKyk daar! Is hy nie mooi nie!I really don’t know what the fuss is about!
While all this fuss was going on Jane rang to tell me to come to their site but I didn’t hear my phone so she came to fetch me – Thanks Jane – I should have been ready and waiting!
We did three different trails one of which was the Galinule Hide near the Fairy Knowe Hotel. You need to get a key to the hide from the hotel and then do a walk to the hide. It was very quiet and we did not see many birds. The most interesting flying creatures we saw were in fact human beings paragliding over the beautiful holiday homes of The Wilderness.
We then did a kingfisher trail along a boardwalk and only saw a few birds at a distance. Near where John parked the car, however, we saw double-collared sunbirds. (I will post a complete list of birds seen in my final blog tomorrow.)
A very distant photograph of a Hartlaub’s gull – We also saw kelp gulls and cororantsSouthern Double-Collared Sunbird
The last place we stopped was also part of the Garden Route National Park and is next to the Island Holiday Resort. This proved to be a very rewarding spot. The most prominent birds were the red-knobbed coots – hundreds of them. We also saw a malachite kingfisher but my photo is so blurred it is not fit for publication.
Lots of red-knobbed cootsReed Cormorant drying his wingsWith wings folded and now looking for evidence of fish beneath the surfaceA Little Grebe just up from a diveCattle Egrets – the one on the right is a juvenile A Purple Swamphen – a little too far away for a good photographA White-throated Swallow taking a break from constantly flying about.A feral domestic goose! He was hanging with the Egyptian Geese hoping to be adopted, I think.
After enjoying a great day at the Wilderness and surrounds most of us went off for dinner at a few of the local restaurants, all of which offer great food at reasonable prices. We opted for The Girls on the Square and were not disappointed. Earl had Mediterranean Calamari and Alec, Cathy and I settled for Caeser Salad served with a really stunning dressing. Cath and Alec shared a Melba Pudding and Earl and I shared a Creme Brule. We were not disappointed.
Entrance to The GirlsI thought the salt and pepper with their mussel shell spoons were rather cuteAnd the sculptures of The Three Little Pigs, AKA Warthogs were just too adorable
When we got back to camp we joined the ‘after party’ of people returned from the restaurants or beginning their own braai. The fun does not stop when you’re camping with fellow Gecko Okes!
An informal gathering at Johan’s Gecko
Dankie vir ‘n lekker day, almal. Ons sien uit na meer pret môre
It was a little cooler when we woke up this morning but still a very pleasant day. In fact, we are quite pleased that it is neither too hot nor too cold. By the time I peeked outside my Gecko just after 7 this morning, a handful of others were already drinking coffee and visiting others in the laager. There is such a relaxed, friendly atmosphere here and it is clear that everybody is having a good time.
The laager taken from outside the perimeter looking in.
The Earl and I had a little wander around the campsite before breakfast and I took a few more bird photographs. Of course, the really interesting birds were hiding in the foliage of the trees but at least we got to see them with our eyes even if they scorned the camera!
White-breasted cormorantEgyptian Goose improving the scenery
John and Jane are also here and they are keen birders too. For many years, John and I served on the Cape Bird Club committee and John still leads many birding outings. While here he is Atlassing for SABAP 2 so is keeping a list which he will give me at the end of the week. I will then post which birds we have seen in my final blog. Today John, Jane, Earl, Nida and I did the Half-collared Kingfisher Trail. Earl and Nida turned back a little earlier but John, Jane, and I continued up until the pont before turning back. It is a very pretty route through the forest but some of it is up and down steep steps and the ground is quite uneven. It was also quite humid as we did it in the middle of the day. It was pretty quiet as far as birds were concerned but we heard bar-throated apalis, sombre bulbul, southern boubou, and Knysna Turaco. We caught sight of the turaco but it refused to look at the camera. The half-collared kingfisher was conspicuous by its absence!
The Touw River from the bridgeLooking across to North Camp from the trail.We saw some lovely flora – Jane identified this as Wild HibiscusWe did not cross over on the pont but these hikers allowed me to photograph them doing it,Canoist patiently waiting Then off they goAnd a paddle ski comes through from the other direction.
Everybody did their own thing today, some chatting at each other’s sites, going for walks or excursions to surrounding places of interest or simply chilling with a book or having a nap. We also took care of our own cooking for the evening but many shared fires and a lot of ‘kuiering’ took place.
Chris maak vuurColin kom kuierHoe belangrik is vuurmaak en geselskap tussen mansmenseShirley demonstrates the importance of camp fashionBaie mooi!
Adventuring into Retirement 