Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
Wow, the thirty-fifth annual Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic and Expo in August was a great week.
The competition saw some amazing fish weighed in, including a whopping 9.68kg blue parrotfish and an amberjack at 23.095kg.
But let’s not forget, this is a family fishing competition, and we all know that ‘the family that fishes together, has lots of fun together’.
We know there was plenty of family fun during the week.
Thanks to our amazing sponsors old and new – this year’s competition boasted some of the most amazing prizes that the competition has ever had the privilege to giveaway. To name a couple of major sponsors, the prizes from both Wilson Fishing and Suncoast Marine Electrical were second to none and some very happy anglers won amazing fishing gear.
Even the smallest of our anglers walked away with arms full of awesome prizes.
With over $100,000 in cash and prizes given away throughout the week, Travis Steinhardt was extremely happy walking away with the major draw prize of $10,000.
You didn’t even have to weigh in a fish to be eligible to win this magnificent prize.
But it wasn’t all about the prizes, a couple of our very active and entertaining organisers encouraged everyone to get up and dance, keeping warm every night – we’re all about crowd participation at Rainbow Beach!
The event is about the whole family, with special emphasis on Veterans Day, Ladies Day and Kids Day.
There was definitely something for everyone at this year’s comp. Each night, during prize presentations, you could warm yourself by the wood fires while sipping a cold refreshment.
Also available was the amazing fusion food tent, coffee cart, kiosk, main and VIP bars and, of course, the expo sites from our sponsors – Cooper Tyres, ARB 4×4 Accessories, Sunshine Mitre 10, John Madill Toyota, Salty Gear, Rainbow Beach Meats.
Our comperes Graeme and Ashleigh Jensen – general manager of the Rainbow Beach Sports Club – are a father and daughter team, and they certainly kept the crowd entertained every night.
Possibly one too many dad jokes, though this was a family event.
For the grand finale, guest compere Phippsy got involved in the fun, and Drew Gardiner from Gardiner Fisheries held the crowd’s attention with a moving tribute to Cedric Bryne, who had recently passed away.
Cedric – one of the founding and most respected members of the Rainbow Beach Amateur Anglers Club and a highly respected angler – was almost unbeatable in the surf.
The RBFFC will be looking to introduce a memorial trophy in his honour for the tailor section for future events.
The generosity of our competitors, family and friends was evident throughout the week, with the nightly community raffles raising over $10,000 for local clubs, including the Rainbow Beach State School Parents and Citizens, Double Island Repeater Station, Rainbow Beach Amateur Fishing Club, Tin Can Bay Coastguard and the Rainbow Beach Bowls Club.
When you think the event couldn’t get any better, think again because the RBFFC organisers have tossed a few ideas around and have decided to add something different to next year’s competition, and we think it will be a huge hit with some of our more competitive anglers.
You’ll have to wait to find out what that’s all about.
Speaking of next year, the dates have been locked in for 2023 and the event will commence on Sunday June 11 through to Saturday June 17 – and we can’t wait!
Hosting such an amazing event as the Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic would not be possible without the support of the many wonderful sponsors, business houses, the generosity of volunteers, the Rainbow Beach Sports Club executive committee, the locals, the competitors and their families and the family members of the organisers who get roped into almost everything we do – thank you to you all See you at the Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic and Expo 2023!
