Sullivan identified two locations in the prefish that continued to provide fish over the duration of the tournament. The first location was the pylons of the Bridgewater Bridge, where Sullivan targeted fish holding tight to the pylons in mid-water depth. "I would continually cast tight to the pylons, up to seven times to each side. The lure would be paused to allow it to float down, before being retrieved mid-water with shakes to attract any following fish. The fish were sitting between 3 to 5 meters deep with most coming from the middle of that zone".
Sullivan rotated his first location with a weedy edge located a further 100 meters upriver. "The edge was about three meters deep and about 100 meters long. I was fishing up current using my electric motor to move and hold position. I would cast to the weed edge, let the lure pause and sink before retrieving it with small shakes. Most of the bites came as the lure was sinking"
These two locations formed the basis for Sullivan to catch and upgrade his limit each day of the three day event. On the first day Sullivan caught four fish at the Bridgewater Bridge pylons before getting his final fish at his second location. Sullivan further bolstered his first day limit with two upgrades from the same weed edge. Day two saw a return to the pylons where two fish were boated. This number rose to four after the weed edge provided two more fish. A return to the bridge on an incoming tide saw Sullivan secure his position in the final ten boaters for the final day of the tournament. "The incoming tide at the bridge brought the fish out and allowed me to boat another four fish to upgrade my bag heading back to the weighmaster".
With the top ten boaters qualifying for the final shootout session, Sullivan showed little nerves heading out against a select field. With AOY, AFC and national championship winners making up the field, it was going to take something special to take out the victory. "I was confident heading out on the final day. My locations were holding fish and by managing them throughout the session I was positive I could get the fish I needed".
Sticking to his plan Sullivan caught three fish off the pylons to start strongly. A fourth followed at the weed edge before he went back to the pylons. The bites slowed before a trip back to the weed saw his five fish limit completed. To finish the session Sullivan went back to the pylons where the tide was again providing, with three upgrades coming to bolster Sullivan's final session limit.
With anglers weighing in from 10th place through to first, based on day two standings, the pressure slowly mounted. A hot seat took center stage with leading anglers vacating once they had been overtaken by an incoming angler with greater weight. Once Sullivan occupied the seat there was only one angler who could take the victory from him, Shaun Clancy. The scales went down...but Clancy's five fish just fell short securing Sullivan his first ever Super Series victory!
"This is my best result in a Super Series event. In 2009 here at the Derwent I took out 10th place so to take out the event is very special. Having now secured a place in the Grand Final, I look forward to potentially heading to Victoria to contest the season ending event".
The lures Sullivan used to take out the victory included the Berkley Gulp 3" Fry in camo colour and Berkley Gulp 4" Turtleback Worm both rigged on a Nitro 1/8th jighead.
Sullivan's outfit consisted of a Pflueger Supreme 6'6" 2-4kg rod teamed with a Pflueger Supreme XTS reel spooled with 3lb Stren Microfuse braid and Berkley Trilene leader. "I would use 4lb leader around the weed edge and upgrade to 6lb around the bridge pylons".
Sullivan took advantage of the sponsor's bonus program securing the $250 Mercury bonus as well as a further $250 for using a Motorguide electric motor. This further bolstered the $2700 Sullivan won for taking out the tournament, making for a very successful three days on the Derwent.
Securing second place was Shaun Clancy with 15/15, 15.980kg. Clancy performed strongly over the three day but fell just short of the tournament victor's final weight. Nevertheless Clancy's form over the two Tasmanian events eclipsed all other competitors, securing him his second ever Angler of the Year award, the Tasmania AOY for 2010.
Clancy targeted two locations for the duration of the tournament. "The two locations that I travelled between were flats areas in about 1 to 2 meters of water. Located about one kilometer apart, within eyesight of the Cadbury factory, these areas had good structure which attracted and held fish. With help from my Humminbird Side Imaging unit I could quickly establish if the areas were holding fish and were worth targeting".
"I had found fish previously at these locations in 2008. In 2009 I travelled there but it was very quiet. The areas are very dependent on flow with the slack tide often shutting things down. The key was working out how each location behaved in relation to the flow and taking advantage of the bites when they occurred".
Using a variety of hardbody and plastic lures including the Nories Laydown Minnow, Ecogear MW 62, Daiwa Double Clutch, Rapala X-Rap and Berkley Powerbait Minnow in pearl watermelon colour, Clancy was able to secure his limit each day of the tournament.
"Depending on the depth of the water I would interchange between a shallow and deep diving lure in order to target the fish" It was a matter of persisting and chipping away to get my limit".
"I started the first day with 3lb straight through, upgraded to braid and 6lb leader and finally settled on braid with 8lb leader and increased drag. The key was keeping the fishes head up away from the rocky bottom and keeping the pressure on".
Clancy traveled to the same locations throughout each day of the tournament. The first two days saw Clancy find his limit then further upgrades.
"On the first two days I was catching around 8-9 fish each session. From those I would get my limit and maybe 2-3 upgrades. I would cast down current and work the lure back up current. Constantly varying the retrieve with small twitches and pauses gave the fish something different to look at each time".
"Day two was my best session on the water. Day three the bite was slow, but I was confident with my method and technique. The limit came progressively throughout the session with one upgrade, about a 33.5cm fish, helping the overall final weight".
"Without the assistance of Humminbird Side Imaging and my Minn Kota I-Pilot I would have found it tough. The areas I was fishing had at times a big flow of water through the area making holding position difficult. Using the I-Pilot I could release position, fight and land the fish and return to my original position in a matter of moments."
"There are a lot of shallow areas with structure along the Derwent, but only certain areas with particular formations continually attract or hold fish. Side imaging let's me see what's going on, which makes all the difference in tournament situations."
"Heading out into tournaments I set realistic goals and go about achieving them. The guys who have competed and done well over the years are very accomplished anglers who everybody looks up to. To achieve that fellow respect is what drives me".
Clancy's out fit consisted of a 7' Daiwa Tournament Master Z rod teamed with a Daiwa Luvius 2000 reel and a Daiwa Steez Tornado rod teamed with a Daiwa Steez 2004. Both outfits were spooled with 2lb Stren Microfuse braid and 8lb Yamatoyo Harris Hard leader.
"It is awesome to take out the Tasmanian AOY, especially against a field of this quality. To compete against anglers who I respect and look up to as well as the best local Tasmanian anglers makes the experience all the more special. To previously capture the VIC AOY award is something I will always remember. Those chances don't always come along so to secure another AOY title is an experience I will always be thankful for".
Phillip Nix captured the overall non boater's prize for his 9/10, 9,635kg tournament bag. Fishing with Steve Morgan on day one and tournament victor Patrick Sullivan on day two, Nix took out the win by 970grams from his nearest competitor. Nix took home a great prize pack courtesy of the 2010 BREAM series sponsor Daiwa. Including a Luvius rod & reel, line, lures, clothing and more this package is valued at well over $1500. "I had a good prefish so was confident heading out to fish the tournament. On the first day I used Bassday Kangoku Shads with Steve and 100mm Squidgy Wrigglers with Patrick to get my fish".
Nix's outfit consisted of a 6'6"Shimano T Curve 2xl rod teamed with a Shimano Fireblood 1000 reel spooled with 3lb braid and 4-6 meters of FC Rock fluorocarbon leader.
Scott Towner secured the Big Bream prize of $500 with his 1.540kg day one effort. Caught on a Berkley 3" jigging grub in mouldy cheese colour rigged on a 1/12th jighead, the bream came from a rocky point upriver of the Bowen Bridge in 6 foot of water. "The fish came around 12-12.30 pm and gave a good account of itself. After getting the fish away from the point it proceeded to head right back home, nearly getting there in the process. Fortunately it eventually came away and made for a great day one kicker fish".
Graham Franklin secured the 1st place PRO cheque for $681. Franklins overall 4th placing was enough to take home the honors on top of his $600 prize for a great three days on the Derwent.
ABT now heads to the Minn Kota MegaBREAM and Hobie Kayak event #11 at Forster, N.S.W, March 13-14. For further information contact ABT on 07 3387 0888 (B/H) or check out www.bream.com.au for more details.
| Daiwa BREAM Series: Pflueger Derwent River BREAM Super Series Boater Results | |||||||||||
| Place | Angler | State | F1 | W1 | F2 | W2 | F3 | W3 | TF | TW | Payout |
| 1 | Patrick SULLIVAN | TAS | 5 | 5.605 | 5 | 5.230 | 5 | 5.290 | 15 | 16.125 | $2700 + $250 Mercury +$250 Motorguide |
| 2 | Shaun CLANCY | VIC | 5 | 5.275 | 5 | 5.620 | 5 | 5.085 | 15 | 15.980 | $1800 |
| 3 | Cameron WHITTAM | VIC | 5 | 5.590 | 5 | 4.450 | 5 | 5.430 | 15 | 15.470 | $1250 |
| 4 | Graham FRANKLIN | NSW | 5 | 5.345 | 5 | 5.470 | 5 | 4.430 | 15 | 15.245 | $600 + $681 1st PRO |
| 5 | Greg WOODS | TAS | 5 | 4.930 | 5 | 4.750 | 5 | 5.190 | 15 | 14.870 | $450 |
| 6 | Mark MANGOLD | NSW | 5 | 5.190 | 5 | 4.745 | 5 | 4.395 | 15 | 14.330 | $350 |
| 7 | Steve MORGAN | QLD | 5 | 4.230 | 5 | 5.080 | 5 | 5.005 | 15 | 14.315 | $50 Tamar Marine voucher |
| 8 | Andrew WELLS | TAS | 5 | 4.490 | 5 | 4.295 | 5 | 4.785 | 15 | 13.570 | $50 Tamar Marine voucher |
| 9 | Chris WRIGHT | NSW | 5 | 5.175 | 5 | 4.765 | 4 | 3.120 | 14 | 13.060 | $50 Tamar Marine voucher |
| 10 | Andrew KRUSHKA | TAS | 5 | 5.040 | 4 | 3.770 | 5 | 4.170 | 14 | 12.980 | $50 Tamar Marine voucher |
| 11 | Steve STEER | TAS | 5 | 4.980 | 3 | 3.140 | 8 | 8.120 | |||
| 12 | Scott TOWNER | NSW | 5 | 5.555 | 3 | 2.360 | 8 | 7.915 | $500 Big Bream |
||
| 13 | Leigh MCKENZIE | TAS | 5 | 5.545 | 2 | 2.195 | 7 | 7.740 | |||
| 14 | Mike SUTCLIFFE | 4 | 4.000 | 4 | 3.645 | 8 | 7.645 | ||||
| 15 | Tristan TAYLOR | Qld | 5 | 4.285 | 3 | 3.190 | 8 | 7.475 | |||
| 16 | Tim HODGE | TAS | 3 | 3.025 | 3 | 3.015 | 6 | 6.040 | |||
| 17 | Darren BORG | QLD | 0 | 0.000 | 5 | 6.015 | 5 | 6.015 | |||
| 18 | Ben HILL | TAS | 2 | 1.790 | 4 | 3.860 | 6 | 5.650 | |||
| 19 | Tom DEER | SA | 5 | 4.680 | 1 | 0.615 | 6 | 5.295 | |||
| 20 | Leroy TIRANT | TAS | 3 | 2.650 | 2 | 2.370 | 5 | 5.020 | |||
| 21 | Peter MAZEY | VIC | 4 | 3.620 | 1 | 1.240 | 5 | 4.860 | |||
| 22 | Stephenross THEODORE | VIC | 1 | 1.100 | 3 | 3.755 | 4 | 4.855 | |||
| 23 | Nick MARTIN | TAS | 1 | 0.960 | 4 | 3.775 | 5 | 4.735 | |||
| 24 | Andrew DYSON | TAS | 4 | 3.170 | 1 | 1.135 | 5 | 4.305 | |||
| 25 | Shane LING | TAS | 2 | 2.530 | 2 | 1.760 | 4 | 4.290 | |||
| 26 | Jason ROBINS | TAS | 3 | 2.570 | 2 | 1.245 | 5 | 3.815 | |||
| 27 | Craig TEMPLAR | NSW | 1 | 1.215 | 1 | 1.025 | 2 | 2.240 | |||
| 28 | Spiro SPYROPOULOS | VIC | 2 | 2.005 | 0 | 0.000 | 2 | 2.005 | |||
| 29 | Rob WARREN | VIC | 1 | 1.085 | 0 | 0.000 | 1 | 1.085 | |||
| Daiwa BREAM Series: Pflueger Derwent River BREAM Super Series Non-Boater Results | |||||||||||
| Place | Angler | State | F1 | W1 | F2 | W2 | F3 | W3 | TF | TW | Payout |
| 1 | Philip NIX | NSW | 5 | 4.895 | 4 | 4.740 | 9 | 9.635 | |||
| 2 | Peter GODFREY | NSW | 5 | 4.725 | 4 | 3.940 | 9 | 8.665 | |||
| 3 | Mark HEALEY | NSW | 4 | 3.760 | 4 | 4.065 | 8 | 7.825 | |||
| 4 | Peter DEGROOT | WA | 5 | 3.735 | 4 | 3.870 | 9 | 7.605 | |||
| 5 | Szarn TINK | WA | 4 | 4.190 | 3 | 3.155 | 7 | 7.345 | |||
| 5 | Mark HAYES | VIC | 5 | 5.375 | 2 | 1.925 | 7 | 7.300 | |||
| 7 | Grayson FONG | Qld | 5 | 5.160 | 2 | 1.815 | 7 | 6.975 | |||
| 8 | Michael MILBURN | NSW | 5 | 4.895 | 2 | 1.810 | 7 | 6.705 | |||
| 9 | William LEE | QLD | 5 | 4.950 | 1 | 1.320 | 6 | 6.270 | |||
| 10 | Max LINE | WA | 2 | 1.925 | 4 | 4.330 | 6 | 6.255 | |||
| 11 | Tracey MAMMEN | QLD | 2 | 1.480 | 5 | 4.210 | 7 | 5.690 | |||
| 12 | Mark LAWSON | QLD | 4 | 3.705 | 2 | 1.955 | 6 | 5.660 | |||
| 13 | Alan WILSON | VIC | 5 | 5.335 | 0 | 0.000 | 5 | 5.335 | |||
| 14 | James MACKAY | TAS | 1 | 0.905 | 3 | 3.255 | 4 | 4.160 | |||
| 15 | Christopher AHMAT | TAS | 3 | 2.835 | 1 | 1.105 | 4 | 3.940 | |||
| 16 | Isaac HARRIS | TAS | 3 | 2.950 | 1 | 0.535 | 4 | 3.485 | |||
| 17 | Ross BEINKE | QLD | 3 | 3.350 | 0 | 0.000 | 3 | 3.350 | |||
| 18 | Dan STEAD | QLD | 4 | 3.240 | 0 | 0.000 | 4 | 3.240 | |||
| 19 | Matt DYSON | TAS | 2 | 1.945 | 1 | 1.240 | 3 | 3.185 | |||
| 20 | Andrew WALLACE | NSW | 2 | 1.705 | 1 | 1.235 | 3 | 2.940 | |||
| 21 | Daniel BRAY | NSW | 1 | 0.825 | 2 | 1.875 | 3 | 2.700 | |||
| 22 | Peter MORGAN | QLD | 2 | 2.095 | 0 | 0.000 | 2 | 2.095 | |||
| 23 | Jon LISTER | TAS | 0 | 0.000 | 2 | 1.615 | 2 | 1.615 | |||
| 24 | Jordan TRUSTY | VIC | 1 | 1.245 | 0 | 0.000 | 1 | 1.245 | |||
| 25 | Mark MORRIS | WA | 1 | 0.980 | 0 | 0.000 | 1 | 0.980 | |||
| 25 | Leon BETTSON | WA | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0.000 | |||
| 25 | David O'REILLY | WA | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0.000 | |||
| 25 | Andrew WILLIAMS | NSW | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0.000 | |||
| 25 | Byron BLAIN | VIC | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0.000 | |||
PARTNER DRAW
Start 1 Boater 1 Non-boater 1 Start 2 Boater 2 Non-boater 2
1 Darren Borg Leon Bettson 1 Darren Borg Isaac Harris
2 Tom Deer Isaac Harris 2 Tom Deer Leon Bettson
3 Leroy Tirant Byron Blain 3 Leroy Tirant Mark Hayes
4 Leigh McKenzie Mark Hayes 4 Leigh McKenzie Byron Blain
5 Graham Franklin James Mackay 5 Graham Franklin Max Line
6 Chris Wright Max Line 6 Chris Wright James Mackay
7 Cameron Whittam Chris Ahmat 7 Cameron Whittam Will Lee
8 Greg Woods Will Lee 8 Greg Woods Chris Ahmat
9 Tristan Taylor Tracey Mammen 9 Tristan Taylor Peter DeGroot
10 Mark Mangold Peter DeGroot 10 Mark Mangold Tracey Mammen
11 Andrew Krushka Peter Godfrey 11 Andrew Krushka Grayson Fong
12 Andrew Wells Grayson Fong 12 Andrew Wells Peter Godfrey
13 Scott Towner Andrew Wallace 13 Scott Towner Jordan Trusty
14 Ben Hill Jordan Trusty 14 Ben Hill Andrew Wallace
15 Mike Sutcliffe Ross Beinke 15 Mike Sutcliffe Matt Dyson
16 Rob Warren Matt Dyson 16 Rob Warren Ross Beinke
17 Patrick Sullivan Andrew Williams 17 Patrick Sullivan Phillip Nix
18 Steve Morgan Phillip Nix 18 Steve Morgan Andrew Williams
19 Shane Ling Jon Lister 19 Shane Ling Michael Milburn
20 Andrew Dyson Michael Milburn 20 Andrew Dyson Jon Lister
21 Spiro Spyropoulos Daniel Bray 21 Spiro Spyropoulos Dan Stead
22 Jason Robins Dan Stead 22 Jason Robins Daniel Bray
23 Tim Hodge Alan Wilson 23 Tim Hodge Mark Morris
24 Nick Martin Mark Morris 24 Nick Martin Alan Wilson
25 Stephen Theodore Peter Morgan 25 Stephen Theodore Szarn Tink
26 Shaun Clancy Szarn Tink 26 Shaun Clancy Peter Morgan
27 Craig Templar Mark Healey 27 Craig Templar Mark Lawson
28 Steve Steer Mark Lawson 28 Steve Steer Mark Healey
29 Peter Mazey Dave O'Reilly 29 Peter Mazey Spare
