Anglers set to reel in the glory for the 2023 $10K Thready Competition

Published on 31 October 2023

Mayor Tony Williams-Nathan Johnston-Zac Garven.jpg

Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River (Tunuba) is hosting the ultimate angler’s adventure with the return of Fishing The Fitzroy’s $10K Thready Competition.

The annual competition is open to anglers of all skill levels, offering a $10,000 cash prize to the first person to catch a tagged king threadfin in the Fitzroy River system.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said he is thrilled to see the competition back for a fourth year as a fantastic addition to the region’s annual fishing tournament calendar.

“This competition builds upon our impressive major events calendar and will continue to help spread the word of our region’s unique tourism offering of chasing trophy sized fish in the heart of the city,” Mr Williams said.

“Rockhampton is well-known as the Barramundi Capital of Australia, yet the region is also home to spectacularly hard-fighting fish species like the king threadfin, making Rockhampton the perfect destination for keen anglers to visit all year round.

“With Rockhampton’s Recreational Fishing Voluntary Code of Practice in place now for 8 years, this competition celebrates the spirit of fishing whist promoting sustainable fishing practices in our region during the barramundi closed season from November to January.”

Advance Rockhampton Tourism and Events Manager Zac Garven said the competition is an excellent way to promote Rockhampton as a fishing hotspot and attract fishing enthusiasts from outside the region. 

“With it’s economic, cultural and environmental benefits, fishing tourism is a strong and growing market within the Australian tourism industry, attracting visitors from all corners of the country who are eager to cast their lines and reel in unforgettable memories,” Mr Garven said.

“In Rockhampton we have the added benefit that you can be on a plane, checked in to your hotel room and on the water, fishing the Fitzroy in less than two hours. That’s a fantastic advantage for Rockhampton, with more people visiting our region, booking accommodation, eating in our cafes and restaurants and stocking up in local tackle shops.

“The region sports a number of great fishing charters and dry boat hire options to get visitors out on the water or try their luck fishing from one of the many land-based fishing platforms, including two wheelchair accessible platforms, right in the heart of our CBD.”

Fishing the Fitzroy’s $10k Thready Competition runs from 1 November 2023 through to midnight 31 January 2024.

To be eligible to win, anglers need to first register at fishingthefitzroy.com.au.

Follow the Fishing the Fitzroy Facebook page for the latest on fishing in the Rockhampton region.