Far North fisherwomen take out top spots in best catch competitions

The young girl behind Far North Queensland’s best catch shares what it was like to snare the biggest fish in her short career. SEE THE WINNERS.

10 year old Natalie Bowman has won the Cairns Post's Best Catch fishing competition, for a barramundi caught while fishing off Four Mile Beach using a plastic lure. Natalie Bowman gets her enthusiasm for fishing from her grandmother Pat Gregory and mother Kaelah Bowman. Picture: Brendan Radke

The young girl behind Far North Queensland’s best catch has shared what it was like to snare the biggest fish of her short career.

Cairns Post readers have voted 10 year old Natalie Bowman’s barramundi catch as the best in Far North Queensland alongside Tablelands resident Rebecca Magro for best monster catch in the region, winning 20 per cent and 16 per cent of each vote respectively.

The young Ms Bowman was overwhelmed with excitement after learning her biggest hook had won the vote.

“I’d always wanted to get a barramundi – it was the biggest fish I ever caught,” she said.

“I can’t believe I won against all the adults.”

Ms Bowman has been fishing “since she was old enough to hold a rod”, according to her mother Kaelah Bowman.

“She hasn’t stopped jumping around since she found out,” Ms Bowman’s mother said.

“I’m a fisherman, her Gran is a fisherman, all the men are mechanics – it’s just the women who fish,” she added.

“I’m so proud of her.”

Atherton Tablelands resident Rebecca Magro has won Best Monster Catch in Far North Queensland as voted by Cairns Post readers. Picture: Rebecca Magro.

Another keen fisherwoman, Ms Magro took home the title of best monster catch in Far North Queensland with her 83cm large mouth nannygai catch.

“It was a ripper- definitely one I won’t forget,” Ms Magro said.

“I wasn’t sure how much strength I had in me after pulling in three trevallies but when I saw the red scales it gave me an extra boost of fuel in the tank.

“Fishing is so addictive, I’ve just been hooked since day one.”

Originally published as Far North fisherwomen take out top spots in best catch competitions