Port Stephens fishing comp

Soldiers Point Marina in Port Stephens will host the major new family fishing contest this weekend ( February 7 and 8), with a prize pool of $10,000 available for lucky anglers.

Anglers can win a main cash prize of $5000, with five other prizes of $1000 cash also available along with a three-night accommodation package at Horizons Golf Resort. There will also be lucky draw prizes and prizes for senior and junior anglers for the heaviest fish in each of these categories: bream, whiting, flathead, salmon, snapper, bonito, tailor, mulloway, luderick and drummer.

Soldiers Point Marina says it is proud of its environmental policies and responsibilities and as such three of the species; bream, whiting and flathead will be weigh-and-release only, that means they must be live at weigh-in and then released

Fishing will be restricted to an area from Seal Rocks to Stockton and inside Port Stephens. You can fish off breakwalls, beaches and jetties or out of a boat and organisers say you can hire a boat if you wish.

General Manager of Soldiers Point Marina, Darrell Barnett, said the new event was designed as a fun event for the whole family. "Fishing is a great pastime for the family to share in the great outdoors and the chance to win cash prizes is a bonus – and you can win prizes without getting a bite too!" Mr Barnett said.

Entries are now open for the inaugural event. Entry is $40 for juniors under 16 and $60 for adults. For entries or more details call 02 4982 7445 or visit www.portstephensfishingcomp.com.

For information on accommodation, dining, attractions, activities, holiday deals and maps, visit the Destination Port Stephens website at: http://www.portstephens.org.au.vNew

Fish pics from Port Stephens fishing guides Estuary Addiction Fishing Charters and Castaway Estuary Fishing Charters.