Americana Outdoors E-Magazine - September 2019

ANDREW DEATH OF NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA IS CROWNED THE 2019 HOBIE® FISHING WORLD CHAMPION

On Friday July 26, 2019, on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, Andrew Death (pronounced Deeth) from New South Wales, Australia was crowned the 2019 Hobie® Fishing World Champion. Death was the seventh angler to claim the world title after Scott Baker (AUS) 2011, Mar- ty Mood (USA) 2012, Richard Somerton (AUS) 2013, Steve Lessard (USA) 2014 and 2016, Xiaohong Ma (CHN) 2015 and Salah el Barbouchi (GER) 2018. 43 anglers had qualified for the 2019 tournament and trav- elled to Australia from 16 countries to compete in Hobie Fishing Worlds 8 presented by Daiwa. Most international anglers had not previously fished for the target species Yel- lowfin Bream. However, they were given two pre-fish days to acclimatise themselves to the arena and to the species. All had researched bream, the techniques, the lures and tackle that was required to bring home, the three fish they aimed for each day.

fish back in Hobie V2 Livewells for a live weigh-in at the event site. The fish were placed on scales, their weights recorded and then the fish were released to swim away. Each angler competed in exactly the same type of kayak, a Hobie Pro Angler 14 , which were provided brand new, and decked out by the Hobie Asia Pacific factory located a lures’ throw from the waters of Jervis Bay, in New South Wales, a 1000km south of the event location. All kayaks were equipped with a MirageDrive® 180 (forward and reverse) pedal system, Lowrance Hook2 7inch Triple Shot sounders and a Power-Pole Micro anchor , as well as other accessories, including the Hobie V2 Livewell, which re-circulated fresh saltwater to keep the fish healthy. The fishing arena basked in amazing weather throughout the world championship, with mid-winter temperature maximums ranging from 22° to 26° C (71.6 - 78.8°F). Light breezes per- sisted daily and there was no rain in sight.

The championship was a catch, weigh and release tournament. Anglers brought their