Project Description

The jubilee 15th edition of BIG OM, held in 2020, was in many ways different from previous editions, but it confirmed that KSRM BIG OM Omišalj has created great value over the past 15 years.
Despite the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bigomovci found the courage to organize yet another unforgettable sport-fishing tuna adventure, bringing together anglers from across the region.

Here’s what it looked like in numbers:

  • 25 teams originating from KSRM BIG OM

  • 100 competitors

  • 3 days of fishing

  • 13 fish on the line

  • 7 fish brought aboard

  • 3 fish released and scored

  • 542.05 kilograms of tuna caught

  • 106 kilograms – the heaviest tuna caught

The BIG OM Cup was won by team OHANA, led by captain Aleš Benda and crew members Eldar Kavazović, Dušan Petrovič, and Zoran Ivančević. This experienced Slovenian team caught the largest tuna of the tournament, earning them 848 points and the winner’s trophy.
“To catch tuna, in addition to knowledge and experience, you also need a bit of luck. We finally had some. We’ve been competing at BIG OM since the very beginning, and this is our first win, which makes it especially sweet,” said captain Aleš Benda, adding that they caught the tuna in the waters off Rabac after over four hours of struggle and strategic maneuvering.

An outstanding achievement was made by the local debut team Rogi ribaru, led by captain Igor Felker with crew members Danijel Jurković and Sanjin Matijašević. They caught two tuna, earned 793.8 points, and secured second place.

The well-known Barracudas, led by Slovenian national big game fishing coach Bojan Cestar and composed of Sandi Beganović, Igor Krajl, and Pino Bačić, finished third with 717.15 points. The Barracudas had a fish on the line every day, landing two tuna and losing one.

This year’s edition also retained its international character. In addition to local anglers, BIG OM participants came from neighboring countries: Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia (in compliance with all health and safety recommendations, ed.).

“We have been building BIG OM for years out of love and passion for our region and the sea. Over these fifteen years, many have grown up with BIG OM and gained valuable knowledge and experience. Given the special circumstances this year, and that we were the only big game competition on the Adriatic to take place, we were under great pressure. To comply with national health guidelines, we were forced to make the decision that only KSRM BIG OM members could participate this time. The turnout was exceptional — 25 teams from the Club — and at least half of the competitors were younger anglers who had grown up through our club competitions. That is our greatest success! Of course, we’re also glad there was tuna,” said KSRM President Tomo Sparožić.

Unfortunately, this year there were no traditional festivities on the Omišalj waterfront, nor public weigh-ins of the catches. In accordance with the rules, the caught tuna was divided among the participants and sponsors.
This year, Omišalj’s BIG OM members also showed off their cooking skills — the tournament menu featured tuna delicacies worthy of top restaurants. Special attention, alongside the famous BIG OM tuna cracklings, was drawn to Bruno Dragičević and Velimir Orešković, who prepared an exotic ceviche. This traditional Costa Rican method of preparing tuna was something they learned five years ago when, thanks to a BIG OM victory, they competed at the Offshore World Championship.