Super Series Clean Sweep - Chris Britton

I don’t have the words to describe the sound of a pressure valve being released, but that was what happened Saturday afternoon after I had made the shoot-out for the recently completed Gold Coast Super Series, after realising that anyone in the 10 had an automatic qualification into the Grand Final, given 5 of the top 10 had already qualified. This was my goal for the week-end and now with that out of the way, I started to concentrate on taking out the main prize on Sunday without the added doubt of qualification hanging around.

The week-end topped of a topsy turvy month or so after the Tweed after good mates Anthony Wishey and Robert Kwiatkowski had qualified at the Tweed and I had given up a 4^th placing on Sunday to slip out of the top ten on Sunday after a Greg Norman style back 9 choke. I was stoked for my 2 good mates, but obviously disappointed that I was still yet to make it, with only 1 round left at the Gold Coast.

The weeks leading up to the pre-fish ban saw a fair amount of time spent on the water with Wish and I looking around at new ground and looking for a number of plans, and we slipped in a full week-ends fishing as part of some promotional work for local radio station 4BC who were hosting a family fishing event. These sessions were very good and we were able to work out a number of options for the upcoming comp. I was confident that I could get 5 every day, and I was even confident the bags should be of reasonable quality, as I estimated I needed 2.6Kg each day based on historical results to make the 10 and be competitive.

Day 1

The forecast for the day was marginal with a strong northerly predicted, but I decided that nothing was ever achieved without risk, and made the call to fish towards the northern end of the arena, focussing on edges with hard bottoms. The trip up was best described as ordinary, and conditions worsened during the day with a full 25 knots by mid morning.

It didn’t impact the fishing though and whilst it took a little while to fill the limit, as the wind came in, the bite picked up and I would have boated 15 - 20 odd legals for the day with a steady stream of upgrades.

Tackle used for the weekend was:

Reels: Abu Cardinal 802s

Rods: Pro tactics in the 1-5kg model and the lighter cousin 2-4kg.

Line: Main line was Stren microfuse in the3lb class, and trace was 4lb Trilene flourocarbon

Jigs: I used the Nitro finesse range of course in the 1/30 to 1/16 class – size 1s

Plastics: 3 inch minnows, mainly in the more natural colours.

With a bag of fish between 29 – 31cm to the fork on board, I headed back pleased and hopeful of around 3kg. It was obvious the winter festivities had taken it out of the fish, and they were quite light for size, with the bag going 2.73Kg, but had me in the lead.

Day 2

Much deliberation went into day 2 especially with a 30knot strong wind warning out for the day. A study of the “seabreeze” sit e on how it would play out and a very nervous discussion with Wish and Rob had a very wary CB, sitting on the start line looking to do it all over again on day 2.

The drive up once again was ordinary, but thankfully “seabreeze” was right and the wind died down a bit by mid morning, to the point that it almost glassed out for the trip home.

As expected, the bite deteriorated on the 2^nd day and it took a lot longer to fill the limit, and as the wind slowed, the fish shut down.

I left a little early and tried a couple of spots on the way home, which proved fruitful with a couple of upgrades, one of which was 36cm to the fork and anchoring the bag at just under 1 kilo.

The weighmaster revealed 2.97Kg, and I hung onto a slender lead from fast finishing Simon Vaughan, who weighed in the only bag over 3kg on the 2^nd day.

Day 3

With the elation of qualification over, I was becoming worried about the plan for day 3. The weather was fine – probably too good, but it was clear that the tide and fishing pressure of previous days were going to be against me.

I did however have Berkley team-mate Mango in the boat to keep me focussed – thanks Mango, you were great company for the day.

In the end it was a bit of a “run and gun” affair, with much moving around, and the thinking was to scratch out a fish here and there to hopefully put a bag together.

My fears were well founded, as we were well into the session before the livewell needed water, and by mid morning, I only had 3.

I made the call to keep moving, working my way back to the finish line, and was lucky enough to snap up the remaining 2 I needed to complete the limit with about 30 minutes of fishing time left.

Mango shook my hand, and although I knew it was my smallest limit on the comp, I hoped the rest of the field, including Simon had found it as tough as I had on the last day.

As it turns out, the day was a lot tougher for most of the competitors and the bag secured a comfortable win – although I didn’t know that at the time!!!

Apart from the win and the qualification it was great to see Rob and Wish in the top 10, with Rob picking up 2^nd and the coveted AOY for QLD. To top the week-end off, our young protégé, Jason Seaton won the non boater section with a great performance, which backed up his GF qualification at the Tweed round – well done boys.

I would like to thank Rob and Wish for their support and guidance before and during the event – they certainly kept me on the straight and narrow and focussed on what needed to be done – thanks boys.

Britto.

PS,

Chris Britton is one of the Berkley Pro team members and his first place finish in the final Super Series for 2008 made history in the annals of the Australian Bream Tournaments.

Chris's first place garnered the Berkley Pro Team all four Super Series wins, a feat unachieved by any Pro Team in the tournaments history. All at Purefishing/Berkley recognize the achievements of all four anglers who helped take this coveted win for the year.

Thanks to Pro Teamers Mark Mangold, Gippsland round winner, Russell Babakuhl, Taree round winner, Andrew Homan, Clarence River round winner and Chris Britton, Gold Coast round winner. $40k betwen them will ensure the staff at Berkley get a nice xmas present!

Thanks boys, Dinger.