Lucky anglers could share in a $15,000 cash prize at next month’s Boyne Tannum HookUp, thanks to Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB).
The catch? You need to capture one of three pink tagged Lake Awoonga Barramundi first.
GAWB has sponsored the Boyne Tannum HookUp’s pink tagged fish category for eight years now, raising the profile of sustainable recreational fishing in the process.
Chief Executive Officer Darren Barlow said the partnership was a natural fit for GAWB and Aquaculture Gladstone (AG).
“We’re very proud to be involved with this event. Like the HookUp team, we believe in the economic and social benefits sustainable recreational fishing can and does bring to our region,” Mr Barlow said.
“Three beautiful Lake Awoonga Barramundi were caught and pink tagged earlier this week and released back into Lake Awoonga.
“If you catch one of the fish between Friday 3 May and Sunday 5 May, you could win a $5,000 cash prize. If you catch all three fish, you could win a total of $15,000. How great is that!”
Mr Barlow said the fish were caught and released by Aquaculture Gladstone staff, with the first one reeled in by work experience student Harrison Suter.
“Day one of his work experience is going to be hard to beat, with Harrison joining the team on the Aquaculture Gladstone boat to find suitable Baramundi for the pink tag” Mr Barlow said.
“Harrison reeled in a whopping 108cm Barramundi, his first Barra caught.
“There is great fishing at Lake Awoonga, with about 1.15 million Barramundi fingerlings produced at our Aquaculture Gladstone hatchery released into the dam each year.”
In celebration of Boyne Tannum HookUp 2024, the Aquaculture Gladstone Interpretive Display will also be open to the public from 9am to 3pm on Friday 3 May to Sunday 5 May.
“This is the perfect opportunity for our region’s fishing enthusiasts to drop in and learn more about our hatchery program,” Mr Barlow said.
Boyne Tannum HookUp President Karen Windress said she was thrilled to see GAWB continue its sponsorship of Australia’s biggest family fishing competition.
“The GAWB and Aquaculture Gladstone team work incredibly hard to help us deliver this event, and we’re very proud of this long-standing partnership,” Ms Windress said.
“The lure of a $15,000 cash prize is a great motivator to enter the Boyne Tannum HookUp, throw in a line at Lake Awoonga and give it ago. We see some very big fish caught at Lake Awoonga each year, and we expect 2024 to be the same.
“Thanks to Gladstone Area Water Board and Aquaculture Gladstone, Lake Awoonga is Queensland’s premier location for freshwater Barramundi fishing.
This year’s Boyne Tannum Hook Up will be held from 3 to 5 May at Bray Park, Boyne Island.
Tickets are available at www.boyntannumhookup.com.au.
BTHU pink tagged fish category – important information
- GAWB has caught, tagged and released three live Barramundi into Lake Awoonga, each having a prize value of $5,000 if caught between Friday 3 May and Sunday 5 May 2024.
- To claim the the $5,000 prize money for each fish, the Barramundi must be presented under the Live Fish Category and tag checked by BTHU officials.
- The competitor may photograph the Barramundi in accordance with the Barramundi Catch and Release section, ensuring the tag is photographed clearly or by removing the tag.
- Competitors can also bring the live tagged Barramundi into the live fish weigh-in station in accordance with the Live Fish Category
- Anglers are only eligible for the $5,000 cash prize if the fish are caught between Friday 3 May and Sunday 5 May 2024.
To check the rules and conditions of the Boyne Tannum HookUp pink tagged fish category, please visit www.boynetannumhookup.com.au/event-categories/
