Young Cheyse Ross celebrates a new tinny with resort manager Dave Webber. Photo: Jacynta Hunt.
Sovereign Resort Hotel Barramundi Fishing Competition celebrated another record-breaking year as 1076 anglers went head to head for a new tinny in Cooktown.
Kerisca Woibo secured bragging rights and the Quintrex 460 Renegade SC as the adult winner with her 3.0-kilogram barra, which weighed in closest to the mystery weight of 3.33 kilograms.
Christmas came early for six-year-old Cheyse Ross, who was named the 12 and under category winner and new owner of a Quintrex F370 Yamaha 15 with a 3.35 kg effort.
Sovereign Resort Hotel general manager Rachael Webber said it was great to see the event grow each year since starting a decade ago with 82 competitors.
“It’s Sovereign’s day of giving back to the community and opening our doors for everyone to enjoy the resort for the day,” she said.
“The next one is the 10th one. We missed a year because of COVID, so next year will be the big one.”
Ms Webber said conditions on 24-26 October were challenging for anglers, but many barramundi were submitted for the weigh-in.
“A lot of people said it was very hard fishing,” she said.
“Tides weren’t great and the weather put the barra off; still a lot weighed in, but it was hard work to catch them.”
Beers already on board for adult winner Kerisca Woibo and her partner. Photo: Jacynta Hunt.
2025 results
Kids 12 and under
1st: Cheyse Ross
2nd: Karhliel Woibo
3rd: Kisha Woibo
4th: Garrgiil McLean
5th: Nhyron Ford Ross
Adults 13 and over
1st: Kerisca Woibo
2nd: Cameron Byrne
3rd: Archer Giese
4th: Monica Ross
5th: Blake Nevins
Heaviest barra
Kids: Rivah Bowen
Adults: Farzana Woibo
Most fish weighed in kids
Liam Lee Chue and Savannah Lemon (three barra, one mangrove jack)
