Thousands descend on Boyne River and Tannum Sands for Hookup weekend in Australia’s biggest family fishing competition
More than 3,000 budding fishers have now registered to battle it out for a whopping $375,000 prize pool and to be crowned with the best catch at the daily fishing competitions. See the pictures and details here.
Community News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Community News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australia’s biggest family fishing competition has returned for another year and the conditions are primed for a massive weekend in the twin community of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands.
Weigh-ins have begun and prizes have already been given away to locals and tourists alike at the launch of the three-day event over another beautiful long weekend in coastal Central Queensland.
With a prize pool of more than $375,000 on offer, including a $90,000 major boat prize in the Sea Jay 630 Vision, you don’t even need to catch a fish to win big at the 2022 Hookup.
See some pictures from Day 1 below.
Hundreds braved a cooler wake-up to meet at Bray Park on Friday morning for the start of the event and hopefully have their name called out for the first batch of prizes at the Early Bird Random Prize Draw.
The event, now in it’s 27th year, welcomes tourists from around Queensland and Australia and will return to a more typical program after two years of interruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
President Andrew Davis said a lot of planning went into an event as massive as the Hookup and he was rapt the weather had cleared after a gloomy few days and conditions were now prime for a big weekend.
“It’s awesome that we’ve now got 3,000 people registered with the event and it was great to see how many people came down here this morning for the Early Bird Prize Draws,” Mr Davis said.
“People will be coming up to the main stage here for the weigh ins throughout the weekend but you’ll see some of the massive catches later in the afternoon.”
Water Police and Gladstone’s Volunteer Marine Police gave safety warnings and demonstrations at the launch on Friday morning at Bray Park, which included showing competitors how and when to use flares.
Gladstone VMR president Jeff Caldwell said, when speaking to Hookup News, that boaties should be mindful of expiry dates and maintenance before entering the water.
“The number one important thing is people have the correct and appropriate safety gear in their boats,” Mr Caldwell said.
“And that safety gear is in good condition and not expired, for example flares have an expiry date.”
As day one wrapped up, locals and tourists flocked back to Bray Park to firstly weigh in their prized catches and are sticking around for the festivities, including rides, food and eagerly awaiting the prize draws.
The Observer will post videos, pictures, and updates throughout the Hookup weekend.
Pictures from Day 1
More Coverage
Inside new mission to return dilapidated Qld resorts to glory days
A Queensland MP and mayor are Japan-bound for face-to-face talks with the Iwasaki boss over stalled plans for the once-grand Capricorn Resort with a stop also planned in China over the future of another Great Barrier Reef gem.
‘Great to stay, study in Rocky’: One-stop jobs shop keeping kids here
An aspiring chef with big food dreams was among the school leavers checking out the CQU TAFE Careers Expo where all the vocational opportunities the region had to offer were on show.