Evans Head Fishing Classic returns with Australian Fishing Tournaments at the helm

June 13, 2018

ON the back of the successful 2017 Evans Head Fishing Classic, Australian Fishing Tournaments is returning and will once again be managing this world-class fishing competition and making a significant contribution to the local economy in the process.

The Evans Head Fishing Classic is synonymous with family fun, and now well into its twenties it has continued to add new and exciting ways to get everyone involved. Last year the organising committee made changes to the event with the addition of the Catch ‘n Snap entry system.

It allowed anglers to enter photos instead of whole fish. Anglers photographed their competitive catch on brag mats, then had the option to keep the fish or release them back into the water. The photo comp is based on length only. It was a huge hit and will continue in 2018.

The 2018 Evans Head Fishing Classic will run from July 6 to July 13 and there is over $100,000 in prizes including two boats for the main draws as well as hundreds of random prizes. The broadened competition fishing zones continue opening up more spaces and places for anglers to fish: launch from Byron Bay to Yamba and fish both estuary and offshore.

For AFT and entrants, this delivers a contingency for bad weather and frees up more fishing opportunities. It also takes pressure off local fish stocks. Over the weekend, come down with the little ones for the Cadet Competition on Saturday and Sunday, a two-day competition for juniors, with prize pools open to all budding anglers under the age of 16.

Champions, competitors and all attendees will be in the running for a total prize pool of over $100,000. All seven-day competitors have the chance to win one of two boat, motor and trailer packages sponsored by Quintrex/Evinrude E-TEC. There is a host of other prizes from sponsors including Lowrance, Samurai Rods, Wilson Fishing, Hobie Kayaks and Frogleys Offshore.

The prize pool is going to be better than ever. The Evans Head Fishing Classic will be held on the riverbanks outside the Woodburn Evans Head RSL Club, who are strong supporters of the event. Fish categories include snapper, pearl perch, mulloway, tailor, kingfish/cobia, amberjack/samson fish, whiting, bream, blackfish and flathead.

Cadets can target the usual estuary suspects of flathead, whiting and bream, with trag added back into the mix this year.
To enter or find out more, visit evansheadfishingclassic.com.au