The reports had come in thick and fast all week. Snapper, Snapper everywhere. From Frankston to Mordialloc, from Sandringham to Black Rock, the fish were on and going hard. You only had to land in the right area and you were assured a fish. It was a pity that the weather gods did not look like working in our favour. However fifteen members and a non competitor, tried their luck on a windy Saturday afternoon. Its funny you know, the bay looks quite passive when you are coming across the Bolte bridge. It isnŐt until you turn to head out into the bay as you leave the St Kilda boat harbour do you realise what 20 to 30 Knots can do to the sea when you are heading straight into it.

Oh well we are out here now where to. After spending some time trying to get to Ricketts we end up settling for the 14 meter mark at Sandringham. Bait up the rods, and cast out. After about 10 minutes of berley the first rod goes off, the silver whiting used as bait has charmed another red onto the dual hook rig. A frantic fight ensures this fish goes ballistic. Line peels off at a rate of knots, the all of a sudden slack. I wind in as quickly as I can only to see this fish coming toward the boat, another desperate lunge, but things just donŐt seem right. The Snapper exhausted comes to the surface, it is quickly netted by my companion, and then the dreaded dark shadow comes to the boat.

ItŐs Sammy the seal. The next rod goes off, this time we are not so lucky, our mate with the webbed feet, nails this fish as it takes off on its first run. After a game of tug Ôo war the seal won and spends the next few minutes showing off the fish that he snatched from us. He tosses it in the air, teases and taunts us. We let him play as the next rod goes off and sneak the next fish in while our show off mate is amusing himself. This game of cat and mouse cotinues over the next two and a half hours. Both my companion and I have our three fish over 40 cm by then and are practising catch & release.

The final score when we pull up anchor to head for home is Sammy the seal 9 snapper, John & Harry 6 Snapper. Sammy gets the points and trophy.

This Saturday afternoon has been one of the most frantic, sessions on the fish that I have had , that extra rush of adrenalin came from the game we had to endure with Sammy. However a good time had by all. With the wind gusts reaching between 20 to 30 knots all the other competitors called it a day.

At the weigh in good bags of fish are as follows. Joe Donnini 3 fish for 12.42 Kg, John Costa 3 fish for 8.80 Kg, Angelo 3 fish for 8.52 Kg, Harry Braidwood 3 fish for 7.80 Kg.

Best baits for the day were Silver Whiting and Pilchards, cast unweighted.

In all 4 members and a non competitor weigh in 13 fish for 39.40 kg. With the final weigh in taking place at approximately 7.00 pm. Many thanks to the referees for their time and patience.