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Fisherman’s tales

Marc Iles
16/ 6/2004

LOCAL fishing stars Troy Louis and Robert Kwan are set to take on 200-pound sharks in a special US tournament, which will be aired on satellite TV in July.

The Yanks Shark Tournament pits the best English anglers against their American counterparts and has but one objective - catch as many sharks as possible in eight hours.

To many, the idea of sailing out on a boat to confront razor-toothed mako and blue sharks would be crazy, but Troy, aged 40, said it's what he lives for.

He told Express Sport: "I love it, whether I'm fishing for big fish or little fish. It's mostly about the travelling, and I've fished all round the world. Needless to say, I've got quite a few photos to show."

Troy and Robert will fly out to New York on Saturday, and will compete off the shores of Long Island. Each boat will contain one English and one American angler using two rods each. One armed with 30-pound line and one with 50-pound line.

Most anglers' bait of choice will be the bass-like bluefish, but considering blue sharks can grow to anything up to 350-pounds and 12-feet in length, regularly attacking the boat, it may be debated just who is being hunted.

"Over in America they don't let you touch the sharks, you have to cut the line," said Troy. "It's probably so we can't sue them when they tear your arm off!"

"I've never had anything bad happen to me whilst I have been out there, so fingers crossed."

Last year, Troy and Robert missed out by just three fish, but will be hoping to scoop the £10,000 individual prize this time around.

"It's not a bad prize for fishing," joked Troy. "It'll keep me in maggots for a while."