Prizes allocated for longest catches
Western Victorian anglers with intent to claim The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Competition’s top prizes could be making their way home on a pair of all-terrain vehicles.
Registration for the 46th annual fishing competition have opened ahead of its Labour Day-weekend Wimmera River takeover on Sunday, March 12, with participants now able to ogle at the full list of prizes up for grabs.
Participants will compete to reel in the longest fish to win their share of a prize list worth more than $35,000, with separate prize lists for senior and junior anglers, 15-years and under.
Senior anglers are also eligible for a separate ‘random’ prize draw with the first prize a $3000 Helloworld Horsham travel voucher.
The senior prize for the longest catfish, silver perch, yellowbelly or redfin, regardless of species, is a CF Moto quad bike.
Second-place will win a 3.5-metre fishing boat, complete with motor and trailer, while third-place will receive a fishing charter for up to eight people.
Young anglers will have a chance to win a junior-sized CF Moto, to match the seniors’ first-prize giveaway.
There are more than 30 prizes available for competition entrants this year.
Fishing competition committee member Prue Beltz said the committee had changed the way prizes were allocated.
She said 2022 participant survey results had indicated anglers would prefer more prizes that rewarded angling skill, rather than prizes for participation.
“We do try to listen to our survey results and after last year, the results were clear – people wanted to increase the number of prizes they could win for the size of their caught fish,” she said.
“Our anglers hang their hat on the length of their catch, so we will have more prizes that recognise their skill.”
In 2022, the major prize winner was drawn at random from a list of senior registrations, while other categorised awards recognised the longest fish of any species.
However, in 2023, first, second and thirdplace senior anglers will win a prize for the longest fish of any species, but the proceeding prizes will be won according to the longest fish, within specific species.
The competition’s ‘Cash for Carp’ program will continue to encourage the removal of carp from the Wimmera River, with the committee again offering cash prizes to anglers who catch the longest carp.
The senior angler who catches the longest carp will win $1000, with $750, $500, $250 and $100 cash prizes offered to the proceeding four anglers.
Junior anglers who catch the longest and second-longest carp will win $250 and $100, respectively.
A smartphone with QR code adaptability is required for participants to submit their catch.
To enter a caught fish, participants can scan the QR code on their fishing competition angler identification card, complete the online form, and attach the self-taken photo of their catch against a measuring device to submit their entry.
Competitors will be required to collect their registration cards and competition identification on Friday, March 10, from 4pm to 8pm; Saturday, March 11, 8pm to 5pm; or Sunday, 6am to noon, at Horsham Angling Club.
People can access the full prize list and register for the competition at horsham fishingcomp.com.au