‘Heaven of Anglers’ NMPT Southern Breakwater attracts 115 Anglers for Intl Angling Event
Let’s Go Angling! 115 Anglers gather at New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT)-Mangaluru Southern Breakwater for the largest International Saltwater Catch and Release Angling Competition on Saturday, 24 November 2018, which will continue on Sunday, 25 Nov also.
Mangaluru: Waking up early Saturday morning, I quickly dashed to New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) Mangaluru Southern Breakwaters area to witness the Largest International Saltwater Catch and Release Angling Competition, taking place on 24 and 25 November from 6.30 am until 6 pm both days. After a long walk along the beachside on the crystal sand, and struggling walking on the rough and uneven rocks, I finally made it to the angling area sound and safe? It was indeed an early morning adventure for me, and I love it.
Yes, Southern breakwaters near New Mangalore Port Trust are considered an angler’s heaven, and it was nice to see nearly 115 anglers gathered since early in the morning for the Angling Competition. The Anglers were engrossed in catching and releasing variety of fish as part of the two-day Angling Championship that commenced this morning. Organized by Mangaluru based sport event brand “Gifted India in association with Mangalore Anglers Club and All India Game Fishing Association, the aim is to host it in accordance with international rules and to be fair in promoting it as sport, will see anglers catch and release the fish back into the waters alive. This is the second Angling Competition happening in Mangaluru, where last year it was held during Christmas time, at the Northern Breakwaters at NMPT.
After successful event last year, the organizers this year had decided to host India’s First lure only Saltwater Catch and Release Angling Competition, and the respond was great with anglers showing up from various parts of India, Portugal, Oman, Singapore, Oman, UAE, Muscat, Dubai, among others. Dubbed as heaven of Anglers in the world of angling, the Southern Breakwater is one of the ideal places for angling in South India, according to the organizers. And this year with more organizations joined in the event, the participants this year received angling tackles which saves them the hassle of carrying their angling equipment from afar.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Derek D’souza-Vice President of all India Game Fishing Association said, “India hosts ten small fresh water angling and five large saltwater angling championships annually, and this event at NMPT Southern Breakwater is the biggest saltwater angling event in India, where anglers can look forward to bait fishes like- ‘Grouper'(locally called Kadwai) Barramundi, Barracuda, Red Snapper, among many other varieties. It requires skill to bait a fish and also release the same alive into the water. Last year many anglers failed to land the catch on shore. Incidentally, the winner in 2017 had landed an 11-kg fish which fetch him the big prize money for his catch of highest weight, while the highest catch saw an angler with eight catches. This year the event being spread over for two-days ( 22 hours) of angling, the anglers have great chances of catching more fish and win big, and the event will be more intense and interesting”.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean over the phone from Mumbai ( gone for a wedding) Yatish Biakampady, the CEO of Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project said, “The reason for shifting the location from Northern breakwater to Southern breakwater is because of the regular fishing done by the local fishermen in that area, which could disturb the concentration of the anglers. We want to provide the best of conditions to the anglers who come from far, thereby also promote angling as a sport in the region. Previous year audience were allowed only on the beach where a carnival was hosted simultaneously, but this year we will have the carnival for three days in December”
“Spectators can view the angling from the pandal set-up at the start of the breakwater and if there is a demand for it, floor arrangements will be considered. The point of having an exclusive angling competition is so that participants can mover around in the City beyond the competition hours and not just be confined to the beach. This will also create a push for tourist flow in the city. I am happy to note that this year nearly 125 anglers have already shown up on the first day” added Yatish.
All anglers were accommodated on either sides of the 700 meter breakwater, where they all participated at the same time. This year the winner with the catch of fish woth highest weight will take home prize money of Rs 50,000; second place winner will receive Rs 25,000. Highest number of fish catch will be receive prize money of Rs 10,000, while second place winner will get Rs 5,000. The first session for the day began at 6:30 am and went on till about 12:30 pm. The second session will begin at 2:30 pm and will go on till 6:30 pm. The event was inaugurated on 23 November at Decalthon showroom (sporting) in Bharath Mall by MLA Vedavyas Kamath, along with other dignitaries.
Co-Founders of Gifted India (the organizers) Guruprasad Padubidri, Anup Kanchan and Kethan Kanchan said, “This is a restricted area and this Lure saltwater Angling event is being held here for the first time. We always knew that big fish gather around the rocks here. On average, if Anglers spend about six hours here, they can manage to collect about 12 fishes. The entire team of Anglers are excited as this is like a heaven for anglers. We have anglers not just from Mangaluru, but other parts of India, and abroad like Gulf countries, Portugal and Singapore. For last year event we spent almost two years trying to get permission to hold the event at the Northern breakwater. The best part of angling here is the wide variety of fish that is available here including groupers, barramundi, giant trevally, queen fish, snappers, red snappers, mangrove jack and barracudas. The fishes caught in the competition are not allowed to be taken along. As soon as the fist gets caught to the bait, it is weighed and left back into the waters.”.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Sayyed Tabrez (Oman) along with Sayyed Khalfan (Oman) and Shabir Mohammed (UAE) said, “This is my second time taking part in the Angling competition in Mangaluru. I love this place, so I keep coming back- no doubt this is a Heaven of anglers. I have taken part in angling events in Dubai, UAE and other parts of India, but I love coming here. Two years ago I caught a 22 kg Shark, and that was my big catch. Hoping to bait a big one at this place. By profession I am into IT, Kalfan works for a govt agency, and Shabir manages a Tourism firm. We all love Mangaluru, the people are kind and provide good hospitality. We will be back again for sure”.
Lee Chee Seng David, a Marketing Executive for Fishing Tackle Sales (Shimano (Singapore) Pvt Ltd) from Singapore, being here in Mangaluru for the first time for this event said, “I love this place much more than other angling locations that I have been. Couple of years ago I caught a 42 kg grouper in Singapore, and recently a 5 Kg grouper in Kochi, India. I have taken part in angling events in Goa, Chennai, Kerala, among other places.And like they say that this NMPT Southern breakwater is Heaven of Anglers, I have no doubt about it-truly it is a heaven for us. If I get a chance I will surely return to Mangaluru again. Great City-Awesome People, including organizers”: David was joined by Dinesh from Chennai, the dealer for Shimano products in India.
In conclusion, Fishing is a great activity. As we all know, our planet is mostly covered by water, and one can only imagine the vastness of species of fish that live in these waters. Fish is nature’s wonderful creation as they come in so many different colors and sizes. It has a major role to play in creating a marine life under the ocean. And for that matter our coastal town Mangaluru is vastly surrounded by water- sea and rivers, where fishing could be thought of a fun activity. Many people pursue fishing as sports. The fun thing about sports fishing is that mostly, the caught fish is thrown back into the sea or river, like this Angling event. Since, there are so many kinds of fish, it is a clear fact that there needs to be more than one way of catching the fish.” The hungrier the fish, the easier to catch,” isn’t true. Catfish have more taste buds than humans, prepare your lures accordingly.
If you want some fishing fun activity call Guruprasad P at 9606764181, and he will hook you up with a local Angler Club. Go Fishing and have Fun!