Game Fishing Club

Welcome to the Coffs Harbour Game Fishing Club, a section of the Coffs Harbour Deep Sea Fishing Club Ltd. This section was incepted back in 1988 and adheres to the rules of the GFAA and NSWGFA.

Coffs Harbour is attractive to anglers for many reasons: a safe all weather harbour; approximately 15 nautical miles from the continental shelf; close proximity to the Solitary Islands group; has rough broken ocean floor, reef, canyons, warm currents; and just about every game fishing species you could want.

We enjoy many events throughout the season as a club and every member is most welcome to join in. We hold the monthly Game Fishing competition the first Saturday of each month plus “out of hours” and “out of port” tournaments.  There is the Northern Zone overnight weekends in May and November, the Northern Zone monthly competitions, the Northern Zone Challenge Competition and various social days especially for juniors, females and families alike.

One of our many achievements is hosting the annual Hot Current Game Fishing Tournament at Coffs Harbour each year. This year it will be proudly sponsored by Club Marine Insurance.  This is the first game fishing competition each season in northern New South Wales. It attracts a great number of anglers nationally and is a highly regarded event on the Tournament circuit.

The 16th Hot Current Tournament will be held on 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th November 2009.  The tournament Committee were very pleased and proud that the 2008 tournament attracted 51 boats and 212 anglers.  It was close to being a record year.

The weather conditions for the tournament were very ordinary but the safety of all vessels, no matter what size, was paramount.  So unfortunately there was more money spent on beer than fuel.  But all in all, most competitors said they enjoyed themselves and they’d be back in 2009.

There are various tournaments held around New South Wales and invitations are open to all NSWGFA members to enter vessels or join other club members at any of these tournaments. The NSW Game Fishing Association Interclub tournament is held every year over four days - the last full weekend of February and the following weekend.  NSWGFA Clubs are invited to nominate Teams of 5 boats to represent and compete for their club.

The Game Fishing Association of Australia runs the GFAA National Junior Tournament  which is open to all juniors and small fry anglers with the consent of a parent or guardian.  The tournament is conducted from 1st July to 30th June each fishing season and ALL days of the year are eligible fishing days.   

ANGLER CATEGORIES:  Small Fry Angler -  under the age of 11 years.  A Small Fry becomes a junior on his/her 11th birthday.  Junior Angler  -  under the age of 16 years.  A Junior becomes a Senior on his/her 16th birthday.   Senior Angler - aged 16 and over.

 The Game Fishing Club members have a social get-together every Friday evening at the Coffs Harbour Deep Sea Fishing Club from about 6pm. They meet in the area randomly called “the Marlin Bar”. This is a chance for all members, new and old, to spin a tale, win a raffle and have a laugh with colleagues. It is also a good opportunity for anyone looking for a ride, or who needs a crew or just wants to meet other like minded fishos.

The Coffs Harbour Game Fishing Club welcomes members from other Game Fishing Clubs and enjoys the opportunity to offer their hospitality to all visitors. Arrangements for fishing expeditions can be made with suitable notice and weather conditions.