Bradley “Chook” Michael is congratulated by nieces Marika and Nyurin Snider after he won the mystery weight barramundi major prize at the 2024 Sovereign Resort Hotel Barramundi Fishing Competition on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
A record 1,011 anglers fought challenging fishing conditions in the hunt for a new boat when they went head to head in the 2024 Sovereign Resort Hotel Barramundi Fishing competition at the weekend.
A huge cheer went up from the crowd on 27 October when Bradley “Chook” Michael was announced as the adult winner of the mystery weight barramundi, with his 5.45-kilogram effort securing him bragging rights and a new boat.
Mr Michael said he was thrilled with his win and said he would be towing a different boat back to his Townsville home after the event.
“I brought my missus’ car up and brought my old boat up,” he laughed.
“It looks like the old boat’s staying here now.
“I’m pretty happy right now.”
Thirteen-year-old Ernest Bowen was the inaugural winner of the second boat especially for junior competitors and said he had not imagined he was in with a chance of securing the prize.
“I feel excited,” he said as he was congratulated by family, friends and fellow competitors on Sunday afternoon.
“I didn’t think I’d win it.”
Ernest’s aunt, Angela McIvor, brought him to the competition and told Cape York Weekly she believed he and his brothers would put the boat to good use.
“I’m so excited,” she said.
“He’s actually my little godson; my son come and was like ‘EB’s coming in with us, we want to weigh our fish’; they’ll be probably be out every day, him and his brothers – they live down the beach, so they hunt every day.”
Ernest Bowen, 13, gives a thumbs up after winning himself a new boat at the Sovereign Hotel Resort Barramundi Fishing Competition. Photo: Chisa Hasegawa.
Results
Barramundi
Adults: Bradley Michael (5.45kg – 1.33kg off random weight), 2 – Alby Lemon (5.45kg), 3 – Malcolm McCollum (5.35kg), 4 – Matthew Manning (5.3kg), 5 – Mitchell Johnson (5.25kg); kids: 1 – Ernest Bowen (5.5kg – 80g off random weight), 2 – Eli Sawrey (4.75kg), 3 – Ethan Ross (4.7kg), 4 – Jack Lemon (4.65kg), 5 – Lionel Jack 6.4kg)
Mangrove jack
Adults: 1 – Zane Stallan (2.95kg), Mick Saunders (1.95kg), 3 – Chloe Hardy (1.5kg); kids: 1 – Kelcy Hema (1.75kg), 2 – Mikasa Mossman (1.5kg), 3 – Harlin Austin (1.25kg)
