FAMILIES SET TO REEL IN PRIZES
THE Townsville Family Fishing Challenge will hook in anglers of all ages with its swag of prizes.
After it was cancelled last year, Townsville and District Masonic Fishing Committee president Mike L’huillier was confident the prizes, worth thousands of dollars, would lure in plenty of keen fishers.
Mr L’huillier said the conditions would be favourable for the competition this weekend.
“With the weather warming and the water warming, the barramundi should be getting more active and the mangrove jack is the other one,” he said.
“It will be a great weekend, the tides are good to fish too.”
He said the event focused on estuary fishing but allowed offshore anglers to weigh in catches from deeper waters in another category.
Otherwise, anglers could boost their chances of winning by targeting barra, mangrove jack, flathead, whiting, bream, grunter and crab.
“Nearly all the prizes are around the $300 mark,” Mr L’huillier said.
“There’s a maximum of six species (which can be entered) per person, including crab.”
Top prizes include $500 cash prizes, one night’s stay at Aquarius on The Beach and a Garmin fishfinder.
Mr L’huillier said prizes would be awarded for heaviest and secret weights.
Weigh-in will be on Sunday from noon to 4pm.
All profits from the event will be donated to the Cancer Council Queensland branch.
The Hand Heart Pocket charity will also match the proceeds dollar for dollar.
Tickets cost $15 for seniors and $10 for juniors, and are available at Fishing Warehouse, Higgo’s Bait and Tackle, Tackle World and Akwa Pro Tackle.