This past Friday, April 09, Um Al Quwain Marina offered its 4th annual fishing derby to anglers, guests and bunches of children tagging along for a day of fun on the water. The serious fishermen and women zoomed off from the docks at 5:00 a.m. not to be seen again to weigh in time at 4 in the afternoon. Conditions could not have been more favorable, with a calm sea, a high but not exreme tide and little current. Even the sunshine was tempered at times with cloud cover, cooling things a bit for those toiling under it. It was a productive day for the 26 boats and 71 anglers officially registered, and the weigh-in that afternoon was eagerly attended by the crowds. Prizes offered were for the team overall weight, largest fish by male, largest fish by female, and largest fish by kid, I mean junior angler.
And the proud winners were, in order:
Oleg Melnikov and Guido Schrammel – Team Overall Weight with 21.1kg
Robyn Adams – female angler largest fish with a 4.4 kg baracuda.
Jim Bolsen – male angler largest fish with a monster 16 kg cobia
Ben Ramshaw – junior angler largest fish with a 8.8 kg barracuda
It was a great day. These competitions are superbly managed by the Um Al Quwain Marine Club, with Jenny Allan and Luke Chang at the helm. Boats were launched quickly with the help of staff and their two tractors and the Marina setting with its restaurant and pool rounds out the family experience nicely. I don’t know who enjoyed the day more, the anglers headed out to sea or those waiting for their return, lounging pool – side or splashing about in the beach waters. Oh, and a note of thanks to the Coast Guard, who registered boats quickly as each boat passed the Guard post. It is always a pleasure to do business with the efficient and courteous Coast Guard.
While most boats came back with some kind of fish aboard, there was rumour of one disgruntled fisherman who fled the scene when he returned empty handed. This not-to-be-mentioned angler is petitioning that for the next derby, the event be equalized: only single engined boats allowed, only one handline allowed, only one lure allowed, only one person aboard allowed. Hmmm….sounds like a no fish derby, that.
This event has proved to be so popular that plans are already underway for another on Friday, October 22nd. The competition is fierce so a little research on the Net on best baits for what fishes would be well advised.
Lastly, the Marine Club would like to thank all participants.
See you on the water!
The disgruntled Fisherman,
Pete Rothfells