"COAST II COAST" - SIGFA'S FIRST TOURNAMENT FOR 2022
PHOTO CREDIT: SIGFA
The Samoan International Game Fishing Association (SIGFA) is holding its first tournament of the year on Saturday 8 January.
Labelled as the "Coast II Coast" Tournament anglers will be required to circumnavigate the island if Upolu within the day, fishing as they go. This new concept event will see all boats departing from the SIGFA Clubhouse in the early morning and returning that evening. This will be followed by the prize presentations and refreshments to which all are welcome to attend.
Weather conditions for next Saturday are predicted to be good with NW winds averaging 7knts over a NNW 5ft swell. At the briefing held on Tuesday 4 January, officials stated that some 12 boats - comprised of teams of 2 or more - have so far registered which includes some 40 hopeful anglers.
These boats registered so far include Sailfish, Fua II, Baby Blue, Sea Lord, Amana, Lady Saele, Black Pearl, Shirley B, Double Down, Wild Cat, Wild Bill and Tsunami. Funds raised through the entry fees, cash sponsorship and money raised from associated raffles and auctions will be pooled for cash prizes. The first place will receive $1000, 2nd place $800 etc., down to 5th place. Their are also cash and other prizes for the most released Billfish "marlin & sailfish", champion angler, biggest fish weighed as well as other categories. Of course events such as this also rely on the generous sponsorship of local organisations. SIGFA wishes to thank the support of its major sponsors including Tanoa Samoa, Signs Studio and Ca'bella Constructions.
In addition it wishes to thank ANZ Bank, Nourish Cafe, SL Engineering, Troppo Catch Flags, Ah Liki Wholesale, Ark Marine, NBS, Island Grill, All Things Sweet, PlumbTech, Mercury Outboards, Penn & Co, Taula, Kofe Haus, Eat The Kiwi, Add Fuel "Fuel Conditioner Concentrate" for their support and assistance with this event. The fish caught are the property of the teams or anglers who caught them. However, some are donated to charities at the discretion of each team. While the pandemic has prevented any "International" competition for some 2 years now, SIGFA has been actively promoting the sport locally.
Already this year they have a calendar of events including the SIGFA 2022 International Tournament which is scheduled to be held from the 7th till the 14th of May. This event is subject to our borders being open by that time so fingers crossed for that! Following this will be the Independance Day Tournament on the 1st of June and the Legends Tournament on 11th of June.
This is followed by the Teuelia Tournament on 3rd of Sept and the Boxing Day "Big Fish Bash" on 26th December. We wish all the competing anglers all the very best of luck with this exciting and fun filled event. We look forward to reporting the results of the day.