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Fishing Classic 2024

Whilst the rules and conditions of the competition may change from year to year. It is the responsibility of all entrants to review the rules and conditions at the time of entering. The VMRB Management Committee reserves the right to disqualify any entrant in the event of breaches of these rules. The management committee decision is final and VMRB retains the right to withhold any cash, prizes or trophies pending subsequent reviews or findings.

The Officials have the right to exclude anyone from the fishing classic, without giving a reason.

Any action, incident or situation not covered by the rules shall be determined by the management committee if or when those conditions arise. The committee’s decision is final, and no discussion will be entered. The interpretation and implementation of these rules and regulations shall remain the province of VMRB and its designated officials.

In the event of any interpretation of the rules or dispute or any differing interpretation of the conditions for entry to the VMRB FFC, an entry holder may bring to the notice of VMRB management committee their dispute. The Management Committee will endeavour time permitting to resolve the dispute. If this cannot be achieved at the time any resolution will be determined after the event to allow a fair hearing. The disputing entrant will be advised of the outcome of the decision regarding the dispute. The VMRB Management Committee’s decision is final.

Whilst it is envisaged that all entrants will fish local waters including the Burnett River and nearby off- shore waters, event entrants may fish any Queensland waters.

The FFC is to be fished over the three days of the competition and between the hours of 0600 on Friday and 1100 on Sunday of the FFC only.

• Entrants may fish from a vessel, personal watercraft, man-powered craft (kayak, canoe, stand-up paddle board etc) or land based.

• Fish presented at the weigh-in station must be taken on a rod and reel or hand line using a lure, bait or fly only and must be of legal size according to current regulations.

• All entrants operating vessels must comply with all appropriate rules and regulations.

• Any indication of an entrant attempting to falsify a fish at the point of weigh-in will be disqualified. This includes

  • fish caught outside the event dates and times

  • an individual weighing in fish without proof of entry (Electronic Ticket or receipt),

  • netted, speared, frozen fish or otherwise evidence of tampered with fish

  • any action in defiance of the rules of the FFC will be determined by the VMRB Management Committee and persons involved will be disqualified from the event and will be ineligible to win associated draws and prizes.

Two live fish (1 x Bream and 1 x Flathead) will be caught, tagged, and released in the Burnett River prior to the event. Each fish will have a prize value of $500.00 if caught during the FFC. Each fish must be presented under the LIVE FISH CATEGORY and the tag checked by the weigh in officials to claim the $500.00 prize.

NOTE: Fish submitted for the FFC are based on weight. All fish submitted must meet QLD legal size. All live fish weighed-in are forfeited and will be released.

Live Category– Fish from the live category can be submitted by anyone holding a valid entry ticket to the weigh-in tent during the official live weigh-in times where the fish will be measured and entered as part of the competition.

Dead Category - Fish from the dead category can be submitted by anyone holding a valid entry ticket to the weigh-in tent during the official weigh-in times where the fish will be measured and entered as part of the competition.

NOTE: Officials operating the weigh-in station must be advised if the fish is for the Senior or Junior competition.

Open Category (Dead) - Fish from this category are deemed to be caught off-shore and are dead at the weigh-in station. Mackerel/Tuna, Cobia, Parrot, Snapper, Red Emperor, Sweetlip and Coral Trout.

Senior and Junior - Live and Dead: Bream, Whiting, Flathead, Trumpeter

• All dead fish presented must be in a whole and fresh condition at the weigh-in station. Any fish deemed, in the opinion of the judges, not meeting the requirements or that have been frozen will not be eligible and will therefore not be weighed. The Weigh Masters decision will be final, and no discussion will be entered. See disputes resolution section for additional details.

• Only fish weighed on the official scales will be eligible.

• Fish presented to the scales must be taken on rod and reel or handline (NO NETS, SPEARED or frozen fish eligible).

• All fish eligible for weigh-in (live or dead) must be presented to the weigh-in station during the official weigh-in times of 0700-1700hrs on Friday, 0700-1700hrs on Saturday and 0700-1100hrs on the Sunday. Fish presented outside these times will not be accepted.

• Only two (2) fish per designated species per angler per weigh-in session will be accepted and only the heaviest weight will be eligible for that category.

• The Mystery weight category is for live fish only and the fish deemed to be closest to the mystery weight will win a prize.

• Senior and Junior Fisher Lucky Draw for fish weighed in during the competition. One prize for Juniors and one prize for Seniors

• If, in the opinion of the Weighmaster, a fish is not fit for release, then the fish will only be eligible to be entered into the dead fish category.

• All live fish submitted are surrendered for release -no live fish entered will be returned to any entrant.

• To claim a prize in the tagged fish category all fish must be presented live with the tag intact to the weighmaster during weigh-in hours.

• Fish are not to be cleaned in or near the Burnett Heads Boat Harbour or the FFC venue.

• Competing anglers shall observe QLD Fisheries regulations governing fish sizes and bag limits

• All vessel owners must comply with Queensland’s boating regulations

• Any competing angler found not meeting any or all rules and regulations will be deemed ineligible for any prize

• There will be a prize for the heaviest fish of each category and in the event of a tie the first fish weighed will be deemed the winner

• All prizes awarded at the Classic are provided in good faith and are subject to manufacturers or suppliers conditions and VMRB and or officials cannot be held liable

• No junior can win an adult prize and no adult can win a junior prize with the exception that juniors and seniors may compete for the same prize in the Open Dead Reef category.

• Junior entrants must be 15years and under on the last day of the FFC

• No one angler shall be eligible to win or be awarded first prize and second prize in any one category

• • Entrants MUST be present to win any lucky draw and provide evidence of their entry or establish their identity. A redraw will be held if the initial draw entrant fails to claim the prize within one (1) minute. NOTE: you must be present to win the lucky draws.

Marine Rescue Bundaberg members who have paid the appropriate entry fee are eligible for all prizes.

Organisers and Sponsors accept no liability for any injury or damage to any equipment, vessels, and persons during excursion whether such an injury is due to any act, neglect, or default of any official or agent.

All competitors understand that in participating they do so entirely at their own risk. VMRB accepts no liability for material damage or personal injury, or death or other claims sustained in conjunction to or prior to, or during or after the event howsoever caused.

All prize winners are required to present their registration receipt or proof of identity to collect prizes. Where there is any doubt as to the validity of the prize winner identification the Classic Manager will be the final determiner.