A feature on many local fishing calendars is the Gold Coast Flathead Classic, which welcomes all levels of anglers. The Great Northern Brewing Co. Gold Coast Flathead Classic, now an iconic event on the fishing tournament calendar, had humble beginnings in 1994.
The event is organised by the Gold Coast Sportfishing Club and is a catch-and-release tournament using lure and fly only. A team event with two or three anglers per boat, the anglers measure and photograph each fish, and then release. The team records the measurements on a catch sheet. The amount of points is determined by the size of each catch.
The Gold Coast offers some of the best flathead habitats in Australia, from the Nerang River to up north at Jumpinpin. The competing anglers can find flathead in canals, rivers, creeks and the Broadwater, making this tournament highly competitive, with everyone aiming for a prized victory.
The competition is a very social event with three days of fishing, enhanced by evening activities and dinners. Sponsors provide category trophies for teams with the biggest over-all catch, as well as “lucky draw” prizes, attracting sportfishers from around the country.
Historically, the results have provided valuable flathead catch and growth-rate data used for long-term management of the species in Queensland. More than 5700 flathead were caught and released last year during the event.
Each year, the competition goes from strength to strength with numbers in 2015 having the most anglers ever in the history of the competition—a total of 551 fisher people.
All up, this tournament is much more than a fishing competition. It is now a feature event with an excellent random prize pool, giveaways, entertainment and much more.
2016 DATES: 28th September – 1st October
Sign-On, Briefing & Dinner:
Wednesday 28th September 2016 from 4.00pm
Fishing & Dinner:
Thursday 29th September 2016 and Friday 30th September 2016
Fishing, Dinner & Presentations:
Saturday 1st October 2016
TOURNAMENT VENUE
Fishing Clubhouse, Mitchell Park, Broadwater Parklands Northern Precinct, corner of Marine Parade and North St, Southport.
ENTRY FEES
SENIORS:
$275.00 until August 16; $300.00 LATE ENTRY places permitting and no guarantee of shirt.
JUNIORS:
$140.00 until August 16; $155.00 LATE ENTRY places permitting and no guarantee of shirt.
There is a 200-team* cut-off for the number of competitors this year. So don’t delay in sending your entries ASAP. (*Total number excludes event-sponsored teams.) Teams must have the same member composition during the whole duration of the competition, i.e. no substitutions, except for Juniors.
Entry Fee Includes:
- Meals as scheduled above (extra meals available, please enquire)
- Commemorative 23rd Anniversary Event Shirt for every competitor
- Team Bag containing lures and other goodies courtesy of sponsors
- Tournament Handbook for every competitor
- Opportunity to share in $250,000+ worth of prizes
Register online at www.goldcoastsportfishingclub.com.au.
