1 March 2024
Suidpunt Diepsee Hengelklub, is once again proud to host the annual Two Oceans Marlin Tournament.
This evening, all the teams gathered at the clubhouse to register, collect their goodie bags, and enjoy a wonderful tapas meal catered by the Club Manageress, Marinda, and her amazing team.
I’m not sure yet how many lady anglers we have in the tournament this year but it was good to see at least one at the registration desk.
Sponsored by Robertson Toyota!Assisting the anglers in enjoying the evening fully were the lovely bar ladies, who are always patient, friendly, and helpful.
Tonight’s event commenced with a series of welcome speeches. Grant van der Westhuyzen, the Tournament Manager, reminded the anglers of the competition’s format, explained the rules, and encouraged everyone to participate with the right spirit. Below, you’ll find a brief history of how the tournament began and an overview of its operation.
History and Rules of The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament
The late Meirion Williams of Huck Finn fame, was instrumental in establishing an annual marlin catch, measure, and release competition.This was after he chatted to local commercial fisherman, Trail Whitthuhn, who twenty years ago, landed a striped marlin. Meirion believed it would be valuable to investigate the population and sizes of marlin in the Agulhas area.
It is important to acknowledge that the project was not the work of just one person. Contributors such as Gawie Bruwer, Hannes Schreuder, Gerard De Kock, Johan Jooste, and Johan van der Walt played crucial roles in turning the idea into a reality.
Andrew Perrins was approached to take on the role of Safety Officer, and since then, he has been actively involved in setting up aerials and operating the radios. He is supported by his reliable assistants, Trevor Brinch and Earl Fenwick, along with various team members throughout the years—making it a great team effort.
For the past several years, Andrew, who now lives and works in the United Kingdom, has returned specifically to participate in this unique competition. He is expertly assisted by Trevor Brinch, also known as Spotter One, a local from Cape Agulhas who manages radio control in the area.
The Two Oceans Marlin Tournament belongs to all those who participate and their influence over Tournament matters is proportional to the number of events the Skippers have participated in since 2007.
The Tournament is an invitational event and is not associated with organised angling at either Local, Provincial or National levels. In the event of a tie at the end of the tournament, the marlin caught last will be declared the winner.
The Tournament is fished as a no-kill, measure and release event with no points being given for a dead fish.
Brief summary of the rules
Upon returning to shore, boats must display a flag indicating what they have caught and released. Additionally, a video must be presented to the judges to verify the catch. In the event of a tie at the end of the tournament, the marlin caught last will be declared the winner.
| MARLIN | POINTS | FLAG |
| Black Marlin | 150 | White flag with Black Marlin |
| Striped Marlin | 150 | White flag with Blue Marlin |
| Blue Marlin | 150 | Blue Flag with White Marlin |
| Sailfish | 100 | Blue Flag with Black Marlin |
| Other Billfish | 100 | Two Oceans Flag |
| The above indicates the basic allocation of points. Bonus points may be given in certain circumstances. | ||
Sponsors
The participating anglers acknowledge and appreciate the support of this club, as well as the sponsors, whose generosity makes this tournament possible.
TWO OCEANS MARLIN TOURNAMENT SPONSORS
Please support our Sponsors
AIRMAR BALLYHOO MARINE
BILTONG & JAVA BLENCO
BON COURAGE WINES BUFFELSFONTEIN/HALEWOOD
COFFEE. (FULL STOP) FISH & MORE CEMSTONE
CENTRAL FORKLIFT CHAS EVERITT
CORNELIS HAM FPM SUPPLIERS
GARMIN SA GREENFISH
HEINEKEN HEINRICH TIPS
JACITA TACKLE & OUTDOOR JEBO CONNECT
NICO ALBERTS INTERIORS NINA’S DELI
PAUL DRYER PICK N PAY STRUISBAAI
PULSATOR LURES RAYMARINE AVION
ROBERTSON TOYOTA RUTHERFORD / MERCURY
M-RAD / SIMRAD SKI-BOAT MAGAZINE
SOUTH AFRICAN BREWERIES SPRINGFIELD WINES
STRUISBAAI SPECIALSIT ANGLING SUIDPUNT SECURITY
SUIDPUNT MARINE VILJOENSDRIFT WINES
WALKER BAY FIRE ENGINEERING
Below is a list of the participating boats and skippers
| Skipper | Boat |
| PIETER STEYN | A-LURE (First-time entrant) |
| MIKE BRODERICK | BAD CO |
| PIET WESSELS | BAYSWATER |
| MIKE RILEY | CATITUDE |
| DUDLEY ROSSLEE | DORY |
| IAN BARNARD | ECLIPSE (First-time entrant) |
| KOOS PRETORIUS | GEE SPOT |
| ANDREW VAN ZYL | GWAZA |
| GAWIE BRUWER | INDIGO |
| JB SNYMAN | JAYLIZ (First time entrant) |
| CHRIS GOATLEY | JOHN GRAEME |
| SAREL JANSE VAN RENSBURG | KIRU (First-time entrant) |
| JACO JACOBS | LE BOSS 2 |
| PEET BOTHA | LOSLAPPIE |
| RIKUS DE BEER | MARCO POLO |
| JACQUES VAN NIEKERK | MOJO |
| ROELOF VISAGIE (VLEIS) | MULTI |
| MARIUS LODEWYKS | NERINA (First time entrant) |
| ROBIN VERMAAK | PIROMERO |
| ALLAN FIRMANI | SHE’S ALL WET (First time entrant) |
| JOE VERWEY | SOO-JA (First-time entrant) |
| JACQUES BRITZ | STRIKER (First-time entrant) |
| RON PENNINKHOF | THE GAMBLER (First time entrant) |
| GERT VILJOEN | VISTROK |
TOMT Legend Award
Every year one Two Oceans Marlin ‘legend’ is honoured with special award. This year’s Legend of TOMT is Koos Pretorius A special award honouring him was presented by Gawie Bruwer. Koos generously sponsored the purchase of our Delta 82 radio system, which benefits all anglers around Cape Agulhas and Cape Point. Additionally, Koos was part of the Osprey team that released six striped marlin in one day in 2012, a record that still stands unbroken.
Sunday was originally planned as the first day of fishing. However, due to a weather call, fishing will now commence on Monday. The forecast for the week looks promising!
Adventuring into Retirement 