Who will share in the more than $200,000 prizes on offer when the brag mats are put away and the keyrings taken out at the 2025 Weipa Fishing Classic? Photo: Cape York Weekly.
Anglers love a bit of exaggeration, but there will be no need for tall tales when the curtain is raised on the prize pool ahead of the 2025 Weipa Fishing Classic (WFC).
The event, which will be held on 6-8 June, celebrates its platinum anniversary this year and while she was keeping mum on exactly what prizes would be on offer, WFC president Lisa Lui said the pool had swelled to more than $200,000.
“The Top 30 prize pool is shaping up nicely,” she said.
“Each year, we aim to surpass the previous one, and I’m confident we’ve achieved that this year again.
“We have over $200,000 worth of prizes, and the list is still growing; while I can’t reveal any details about the prize list just yet, we’ll be announcing it soon.”
With only three weeks remaining until gates at Andoom Oval open and the first lines are cast in Weipa’s ultimate flex of fishing muscle, Ms Lui said planning was in “full swing” and that more than half of the keyring tickets needed to get your hands on one of the Top 30 prizes had already been sold.
“Our fantastic committee has been hard at work since December last year preparing for the 20th anniversary Fishing Classic,” she said.
“This year’s event promises to be our biggest yet.
“Ticket sales are progressing well; we’ve only been selling for a few weeks, and are already halfway through; if you haven’t secured your ticket yet, act fast before they sell out.”
While seeing who claims what prizes on the final night is the favourite element for many Weipa residents, Ms Lui said she found it impossible to narrow it down to a single part of the three-day event.
“I look forward to the Friday, the anticipation for the event to kick off, and watching everyone stream in once the gates open,” the WFC president said.
“I don’t have a favourite part – I love every moment.
“From the fish weigh-in, seeing everyone’s catches, and watching the kids bring theirs in, to the prize draws and the excitement when numbers are called out, the fireworks, the entertainment – it’s all fantastic.”
