{"id":202226,"date":"2018-02-26T18:57:33","date_gmt":"2018-02-26T08:57:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=202226"},"modified":"2020-11-19T18:35:11","modified_gmt":"2020-11-19T08:35:11","slug":"fishing-competition-draws-200","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2018\/02\/26\/fishing-competition-draws-200\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishing Competition Draws 200"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Freshwater Open fishing competition at Boondooma Dam last weekend was organised by Matthew Mott and Andrew Mitchell, and drew competitors from as far afield as NSW (Photo: Cr Kathy Duff)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

February 26, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Freshwater Open team fishing competition held at Boondooma Dam over the weekend attracted 36 teams, with some coming from as far away as NSW to take part.<\/p>\n

The Freshwater Open is organised by local fishermen Matthew Mott and Andrew Mitchell, and is aimed at families rather than professional sports fishermen.<\/p>\n

The competition offered prizes for the most fish caught, the biggest Bass, the biggest Yellowbelly and the longest fish.<\/p>\n

On Friday, after concerns stormy weather might deter some visitors from taking part, Matthew Mott posted a short video on social media to show everything was proceeding as planned, and urging anyone in doubt to put their fears aside and make the trip.<\/p>\n

It seemed to work.<\/p>\n

In all, about 200 people made the trek to Boondooma Dam and organisers said they were pleased with the roll-up, which was only 10 per cent below the maximum 40 teams they’d planned.<\/p>\n

The Freshwater Open specified that teams could be made up of a maximum three adults and an unlimited number of children.<\/p>\n

However, a maximum of four lines were allowed to be in play at any time.<\/p>\n

The overall winners were the team of Corey Goldie, Jack Hart and Caleb Baker, who caught 39 fish across the competition’s three sessions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joel Brazier and Jye Gilmore took out the prize for the biggest Bass with a 55cm specimen, and ran second overall.<\/p>\n

Team Sewelly caught the biggest Yellowbelly with a 51cm catch.<\/p>\n

And Joel Smith won the longest fish section by catching a 69cm Saratoga, one of only two caught during the competition.<\/p>\n

Saratoga were only introduced to the dam by the Boondooma Fish Stocking Association and the Kingaroy Sportfishing Club eighteen months ago.<\/p>\n

The groups put 72 breeders into the lake, but they hold high hopes the popular sport fish will become plentiful in future years.<\/p>\n

The Freshwater was a catered event with live music on Friday and Saturday night and two competition rounds were held on Saturday, with the final round held on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n

Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff paid a visit on Friday night to officially open the event, wish everyone good luck and thank visitors for spending their weekend at the Dam.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“This is a really great facility and we love having people come here,” Cr Duff said.<\/p>\n

“Tell your friends about it.”<\/p>\n