A last minute decision to enter the final qualifying round of the 2018 Costa Bream series was no issue for angler Grant Manusu.
Grant, from Forster, stunned the field on the final day of the competition held at South West Rocks earlier this month to take the win and $2800 in prize money.
He sat in seventh heading into the final day until a masterstroke turned his fortunes around.
After two hours without a catch, he decided to change locations.
Within five minutes, he'd snagged a monstrous bream and with that took the win.
He finished with five fish that tipped the scales at 3.53 kilograms.
He also claimed the biggest bag prize of $250 for his efforts.
His delayed arrival to the round didn’t impact on his performance.
“I rang them up on the Wednesday and said I was coming,” Grant said.
“I missed the practice day on the Friday as well as the briefing.”
Grant was pleased that he was able to fightback and qualify for the grand final.
“It was a pretty big jump (from seventh to first),” Grant said.
“It was against the cream of the crop, the best in the country so I’m happy.”
Grant had spent many hours in South West Rocks in the past and was keen to try his luck in the competition.
“My mum and dad used to take me to South West Rocks as a kid.
“This was the one I saw on the calendar and thought I want to compete because I love South West Rocks.
“The river is fantastic,” Grant said.
Grant added he had competed in team events in South West Rocks before.
Other legs of the Costa Bream series were held at Lake Macquarie, Hawkesbury and Mandurah.
The grand final will be held in Victoria across three days and three rivers in December.
“I’ve never fished there before,” Grant said.
With a busy schedule, Grant is undecided if he will be able to travel to the event and vie for the championship.
“I’ll have to wait and see,” Grant said.
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