Deanne’s the reel deal with big barra

DIEHARD angler Deanne Masters (above) was introduced to fishing by her grandfather Dukie Neilson and she shares a love of the sport with her husband Jason. But the Redlynch mum proved she was the reel deal in the family when she landed this 120cm monster at last year’s Tinaroo Barra Bash – now verified as a world record.

DEANNE Masters admits she had no idea she was reeling in a world record during last year’s Tinaroo Barra Bash.

It wasn’t until the 120cm, 17.8kg fish landed in husband Jason’s boat that the Redlynch mother-of-two realised it could be something special.

Three months later and the couple are celebrating after the International Game Fish Association confirmed her catch as the biggest caught on a 10kg line.

“I honestly didn’t think it was going to be as big as what it was,” Mrs Masters said.

“We were all high fiving and cheering. Jason even had tears in his eyes – it was lovely.”

The couple and her son Dylan tried to release the fish, but it wouldn’t revive and she said that was when Jason began wondering whether they may have a record on their hands.

“If it swam away, just knowing I caught a 120cm barra would have been enough for me,” she said.

With one hand on the fish and the other on his phone, Mr Masters called the competition organisers who quickly checked the records and suggested they bring it in for official measurement.

The barra was caught on a silver Atomic Shad style lure.

Wendy Rolleston previously held the world record when she caught a 10.7kg barra at Lake Proserpine on January 14, last year.

Weighing just 54kg herself, it was no mean feat to reel in the big barra and Mrs Masters paid tribute to Jason for being the ultimate fishing tutor.

“I’ve loved fishing ever since I was little, but Jason’s passion for it has just grown on me,” she said.

It was her grandfather, wellregarded Cairns local Dukie Neilson, who first introduced her to the sport, though.

He was famous in the region for his battered fish including barramundi, even cooking it up once for exprime minister Bob Hawke.