$20k up for grabs as new fishing tournament hits the Fitzroy
Published on 28 October 2019
Keen anglers are being reminded to register for yet another fishing tournament that is coming to the Fitzroy next month.
Councillor Tony Williams said the brand new King of Kings event, which begins on November 29, would bring the total number of annual fishing tournaments across the region to five.
“Council is proud to sponsor and support this event and we are really looking forward to it.
“We have worked hard to create and implement a Recreational Fishing Development Strategy and our Advance Rockhampton team’s Fishing the Fitzroy campaign is a huge success: there is no doubt that the word is spreading far and wide about our fantastic Fitzroy.
“The fact that we are talking about the next tournament when the Barra Bounty has only just wrapped up shows just how much we have going on!
“The King of Kings is a new type of tournament, with the two main target species of King Threadfin and Giant Trevally hauling in the biggest prizes.
“We of course remain the home of the barramundi but they will be off limits during this contest as it takes place in closed season.”
Councillor Williams said local businesses will benefit from this new event on our fishing calendar.
“The fishing market is worth over $5 million to our local economy, and we know that many people regularly travel more than 100kms to enjoy the outstanding fishing opportunities here in the Rockhampton Region.
“The King of Kings will be no different with accommodation providers, tackle stores, fishing charters and restaurants all providing much needed services to fishing tourists.
“Council will continue to work hard and we hope to bring more charters, more tournaments and more tourists to our fantastic region every year.”
Dean Jackson, events manager at tournament organisers SCF Australia, said great cash prizes are just one of the benefits to signing up.
“As if spending the weekend fishing on the Fitzroy and the chance to win some of the $20,000 of cash and prizes up for grabs wasn’t enough, participants will also be able to contribute to vital citizen science research.
“Through the SCF Research & Events Smartphone App anglers will be able to play an important role in the future and wellbeing of our waterways by logging the species, measurements, and other data about the fish they catch.
“This will create a snapshot of what’s happening in the catchment area at the time. If we have more data we can make better choices about fishing sustainably and that means a bright future for all Australian anglers, especially here on the mighty Fitzroy.”
The King of Kings tournament will take place on November 29, 30 and December 1. For competitors aged 18 or over there is a registration fee of $110, for those aged 16 or 17 the fee is $45, and under 16s can compete for free.
For more information and to sign up, head to www.kingofkings.live.
Follow the Fishing the Fitzroy facebook page for all the latest on fishing in the Rockhampton Region.