Keen fishing families flocked to Woodgate Beach to try their luck at reeling in the biggest fish yesterday as part of this year’s Woodgate Beach Hotel Fishing Classic.
Event coordinator Brandon Lindeberg said the annual competition was in its fifth year, and organisers were stunned with the number of registrations.
“We missed last year because of COVID-19 but we are definitely making up for it this year,” Brandon said.
“Our biggest comp to date has been 324, and already (on Saturday morning) we have 430 registered.”
The pristine weather conditions set the atmosphere for a day on the water for family and friends who travelled to the seaside community to sink a competitive line or two.
“People love their fishing and what a great spot to do it,” Brandon said.
“We have beach fishing and estuary fishing as well as off-shore fishing as well.”
Brandon said the Woodgate Beach Hotel Fishing Classic lured in people from across Queensland, with fishos travelling from as far as Townsville to wet a line.
“The versatility definitely attracts them, I mean we are right at the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef here, we are a scoot across to Fraser Island, we are very central and have versatile fishing,” he said.
“You have both ends of Woodgate that have really good estuaries full of fish and then you have the open water just out the front.
“Our estuary categories are pretty popular as a lot of people don’t bring boats so it’s very easy to get up the creeks and flick the rods with the kids.”
Stacey Thode and her 12-year-old son Sam were both keen to set the bait and hook a winner at this year’s Woodgate Beach Hotel Fishing Classic.
“We come here every year for this,” Stacey said.
“It’s really a great family event and we also have a lot of fun together.”
Sam said he looked forward to the competition each year as it was an opportunity to take in the great outdoors.
“It’s always fun and a chance to get outside,” Sam said.
“I’m hoping to catch a whiting and flathead this weekend.”
Travelling up from Hervey Bay, Nathan and Ashlee Hartung along with their girls Taleah and Crystal, and family friend Dean Hall, were excited to take the boat out at Walkers Point.
Crystal, 10, said they were really excited to be at the Woodgate Beach Hotel Fishing Classic and she enjoyed fishing every time she visited Woodgate.
This year’s Woodgate Beach Hotel Fishing Classic raises money for the region's not-for-profit organisations, including the Woodgate SES, Woodgate Rural Fire Brigade, first responders and the men’s shed.
Find out more about the event here.
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