Overall junior and senior winners of the 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic Chastyn Lyon and Jess Stecko show off their trophies on stage at Andoom Oval on Sunday night. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
With more than 10,000 people through the gates over three nights, $260,000 in prizes won and plenty of bumper fish landed and bragged about, the 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic (WFC) has been hailed a success.
Whether it was the fishing, diverse range of competitions or social element, this year’s event had something for everyone, especially Ayla Gunn, who won the major ticket prize just hours before departing Weipa on a family holiday.
As one of two remaining top-30 ticket holders on stage, Ms Gunn was guaranteed of winning one of the three boats on offer, but admitted she didn’t realise she had scored the $72,000 Carbine 553 centre console.
“I wasn’t really paying attention, because my daughter’s been running everywhere on stage,” she laughed as she inspected her prize.
“We’re actually heading off at 2am for a family holiday around Queensland; this is just so great.”
Ayla Gunn and daughter Mackenzie Hall are all smiles after winning the major ticket prize – a $72,000 centre console boat – for the 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Consistency from Jess Stecko and Chastyn Lyon secured them the 2024 senior and junior overall fishing champion trophies and a swag of great prizes.
WFC president Lisa Lui thanked the Weipa community for turning out in force for the event.
“We’re really lucky the community supports us, and continues to support us and attend the event,” she said.
“It is a real community event; its free entry …. [and] everyone just comes in.
“They’ve got their chairs out; they’ll bring it out on the first night and it stays there, and no one touches their stuff and that’s just the sort of community event it is.”
With the event gearing up to celebrate its 25th anniversary next year, Ms Lui praised her committee and said there would only be a few months’ reprieve before planning for 2025 commenced.
“We’ll reconvene in November,” she said.
“It’s huge, and it’s the committee as a whole.
“Next year is our 25th anniversary, so it’s going to be much bigger.”
Darwie Sutton, Houston Watson, Rick Brown, Eddie Jackson and Cameron Eley soak up the hospitality tent atmosphere thanks to event sponsor Steady Contracting. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Kelly Santarossa, Mia Waite, Steph Borden and Andira Deswardt man the showbag stand for C&K Kindy on Friday night. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Lauren Fisher, Brian Lange and Erin McGinty catch up on the first day of the Weipa Fishing Classic at Andoom Oval. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Jacob Huth, Mark Roberts, Dave Blanckensee and Ian Anderson share a laugh and fishing tips at Andoom Oval. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Cairns residents Andrew and Andrea Gobbett brought their boat up to fight for some of the fantastic prizes on offer for anglers. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Peter Nolan is all smiles as he prepares to weigh in his 11.59 kilogram mackerel at Andoom Oval on day two of the 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic on 8 June. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
The Crime Stoppers team made the trip from Cairns to spread the community safety message with event patrons at Andoom Oval over the weekend. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
There was something on offer for everyone as friends, family, fishos, sponsors and visitors descended on Andoom Oval for the opening of the 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic on 7 June. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Hannah Hope and Nicole Emerick soak up the atmosphere at Andoom Oval before the event’s official opening. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Bart Harrison and Pat Auchterlonie made the trek north from Cooktown to check out the 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Adriana Rodriguez, Tamika Atkinson, Sarah Quaife and Rob Roy were representing Hertz and Rob Roy Earthmoving in the sponsors' tent at Andoom Oval on Saturday. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Apollo Carruthers, Thor Carruthers and Cody Morris check out what’s on offer at Andoom Oval. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Rhys Bennett (right) came up from Brisbane to be shown the Weipa Fishing Classic ropes by Lincoln Pullar. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Wade Bramich and Olly Alston check out the action at the boat ramp on Saturday morning. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Micah, Huxley and Laykin Brown were difficult to miss in their snappy outfits at Andoom Oval. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
John Speakman, Warwick Grimwade and Andrew Watson were in Weipa representing event sponsor TJM. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Curtis Steele works on his aim during the 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic lure casting competition. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
He’s a familiar face on television, but 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic special guest Craig “Macca” McGown was also a familiar face around Andoom Oval over the weekend as he met anglers, locals and tourists. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Brendan Hober shows off his king salmon as judges weigh day one catches at Andoom Oval. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Tacita de Tournouer was one of the first in line to see what her mackerel tipped the scales at on 8 June. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Cody Jorgensen was the lucky winner of the Junction Engineering custom mountain bike and fishing trailer. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Competitors in the Anchovy (kids) category discuss their mullets with judges on stage on Sunday night. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Connor Emerick and Elias Hope were some of the biggest helpers behind the scenes on at the donut stand at Andoom Oval. Photo: Supplied.
Paris Saunders, Bella Savo, Jason Smith, David Bergmansons and Debbie Bartle are all smiles as they serve guests at the sponsors' tent bar on 8 June. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Lane Haines impresses with his effort during the cast net competition. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Winner of the billfish catch and release category Luke Galea poses receives his prize from Weipa Sportfishing Club secretary Darryl French. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Danny Maxwell-Harris and Phil Camsell show off a cobia before presenting it to the judges on Saturday. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Chase McGuckin shows how it’s done with a cast net during competition on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
The 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic was a true family event, and little Tyler was super excited to be part of the action at Andoom Oval on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Kaidyn Williams waits for judges to check and weigh this solid cobia. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
There was definitely a footwear theme with adult competitors in the best mullet competition at Andoom Oval on 9 June. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
2024 Weipa Fishing Classic results
SENIOR RESULTS
Overall champion: Jess Stecko
Barramundi
1st: Casey Lyon (101cm)
2nd: Jaime Gane (98.3cm)
3rd: Gregori Dorante (91.2cm)
Trevally
1st: Jess Stecko (87cm)
2nd: Dave Bergmansons (83.5cm)
3rd: Trent Gordon (83.2cm)
Queenfish
1st: Andrew Aldis (96cm)
2nd: Hayden Moss (92.2cm)
3rd: Chelsea Williams (91cm)
King salmon
1st: Krystal Schulz (5.84kg)
2nd: Brendan Hober (5.71kg)
3rd: Steve Wust (5.11kg)
Fingermark
1st: Clinton Riches (4.91kg)
2nd: John Hofmeister (3.46kg)
3rd: Liam Parr (3.24kg)
Mackerel
1st: Scott Tass (15.85kg)
2nd: Grayson Poole-McCann (14.23kg)
3rd: Ethan Wyatt (12.16kg)
Grunter
1st: Mark Pollard (2.19kg)
2nd: Jaydene Goron-Cook (2.09kg)
3rd: Matt Nolan (1.90kg)
Coral trout
1st: Remo Mazzocato (2.66kg)
2nd: Dale Santarossa (2.48g)
3rd: Edward Shepherd (2.39kg)
Cobia
1st: Chris Emerick (11.46kg)
2nd: Kaidyn Williams (9.33kg)
3rd: Zach Stewart (9.17kg)
Nannygai
1st: Greg Parr (4.16kg)
2nd: Steven Lugsdin (4.15kg)
3rd: Damian Parr (4kg)
Red emperor
1st: Trevor Head (4.53kg)
2nd: Daniella Rabbit (4.18kg)
3rd: Tyler Malimonenko (3.54kg)
Tusker
1st: Rob Monoghan (4.56kg)
2nd: Jess Stecko (4.48kg)
3rd: Marita Stecko (4.45kg)
Billfish
1st: Luke Galea (2 caught)
JUNIOR RESULTS
Overall champion: Chastyn Lyon
Barramundi
1st: Chastyn Lyon (85cm)
2nd: Austen Newsome (83.5cm)
3rd: Layla Egan (80cm)
Queenfish
1st: Owen Brooks (87.5cm)
2nd: Sonny Brooks (85.5cm)
3rd: Owen Brooks (72cm)
King salmon
1st: Fyn Gorman (4.87kg)
2nd: Chastyn Lyon (4.44kg)
3rd: Karissa Payne (3.65kg)
Blue salmon
1st: Slayde de Tournouer (3.01kg)
2nd: Chastyn Lyon (2.58kg)
3rd: Karissa Payne (2.51kg)
Bream
1st: Alex Paxton (0.74kg)
2nd: Sonny Brooks (0.71kg)
3rd: Beau Schleich (0.69kg)
Grunter
1st: Hayden O’Day (1.32kg)
2nd: Owen Brooks (0.88kg)
