Great Australian Pub Fishing logoFor the first time, the Great Australian Pub Fishing Competition is set to lure a cast of hundreds – if not thousands – of social anglers to Newcastle NSW for an ‘unreel’ weekend of fishing and fun.

Dates for the inaugural event are February 11-13, 2022, and there’s nothing fishy about the rules, No.1 being that anglers must be members (or representatives) of a social fishing group associated with their pub or licenced club.

That means they’ll potentially be coming from far and wide, even from across the Tasman as the event is partnering with travel specialists Ticket2Ride.com.au.

Iconic beer brand XXXX is a key partner and will promote the event through pubs and clubs, while City of Newcastle is also a foundation supporter.

“The competition is designed for the typical pub or club angler who loves fishing as much as a quiet beer,” Event Director Dom Grundy says. “Like with golf’s Scramble, they can form a team of up to four and win trophies, prizes and bragging rights against rival teams.

“Mates against mates, baits against baits!”

Convenor of Fishing is Tony Poole, organiser of the popular Club Marine Trailer Boat Fishing Tournament at Port Stephens since 1994 and a long-time importer of sportsfishing boats from the US.

There’s two days of fishing, social activities and the chance to check out displays of fishing and boating equipment.

“Teams can fish from tinnies, runabouts, kayaks, a jet ski, jetty, breakwall or even a surf beach within the region – chasing a select range of fish species. Strategies will add a real level of intrigue,” Grundy adds.

Competitors will send photos of their catch on a brag mat, with updates provided via the event’s social pages.

Newcastle is a destination in itself for fishos, being wedged between Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens, two hours from Sydney and close to its own major airport. It has one of Australia’s highest per-capita ratios of boat ownership, and the Harbour and nearby Stockton Bight are renowned for producing bream, flathead, whiting, jewfish and a mixed bag of other species.

The city is also renowned as a pub and club town, so teams will feel right at home. Many offer affordable accommodation.

Another huge drawcard will be the many ‘lucky draw prizes’ that give everyone the chance to win fishing gear, fuel vouchers and a major fishing travel prize.

An exclusive range of merchandise is available at pubfishing.sportsclique.com.au/shop, which can be customised with the pub and angler’s name.

Entry is $85 per competitor ($340 per team).

For more details contact Event Director Dom Grundy, 0402 439 310, info@pubfishingcomp.com.au or see the website pubfishingcomp.com.au