Lucky draws at the 2011 VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic have received a major boost with a second boat being added to the lucky draw prize tally. There will now be more than $40,000 value in the prizes available for this year’s Classic to be run from the VMR Base on the Esplanade at Burnett Heads from 24-26 June.

Entrants may either pre-register or sign-on will be available at the Base from 10am on Friday 24, and 7am on the Saturday and Sunday. Fishing commences from 6am on the Friday. All Early Bird registrations lodged before 22 June will go into the Lucky Draw.

Graeme Morley, the Classic coordinator, said this is the sixth year of the VMR Family Fishing Classic and the growth in numbers from 465 in 2005 to 901 in 2010 demonstrates the popularity of the event.

Burnett Heads is a great central venue for the excellent beach fishing with Baffle Creek and Kolan, Burnett and Elliott rivers all fishing well after the recent wet season. The three lane ramp at the Burnett Heads Boat Harbour is a good facility for those who want to chase pelagics and reef fish at the many reefs and gutters in Northern Hervey Bay.

Graeme noted that a friendly, but serious, competition has occurred in recent years between some of the offshore specialists. Weigh-in caters for Junior and Senior entries in live/release and dead fish categories.

Graeme said, “We have an excellent live fish viewing tank and fish are regularly returned to the Harbour.”

A good selection of hot food and drinks will be available all day Saturday and Sunday. A licensed bar will be operated by VMR volunteers and Graham Crowden will provide the live entertainment.

The very popular Lucky Draw sessions will be held from 6pm on Saturday. The 3m Polycraft Tuff Tender with a 4hp Suzuki outboard and Redco trailer is the major prize. From 1pm on Sunday, when the 4.1m Polycraft Challenger with a 30hp Suzuki outboard, Redco trailer and Garage World carport will be the major prize. The Junior Lucky Draw prize is a kayak.

This is an exciting family event with many prizes for both Junior and Senior participants. You only have to register to participate in the Lucky Draws – the fishing provides the extra fun.

Marine Rescue Bundaberg is most appreciative of the support of major sponsorship provided again this year by Bundaberg News-Mail, WIN TV, Tackle World, Polycraft Industries, Boats Galore /Haines Suzuki, Sea FM, Garage World, Jarrott’s Service Centre, FNQ Security and Burnett Heads Marina.

Entry forms are available from the VMR Base at Burnett Heads, Tackle World, Boats Galore Rehbein’s Fishing and other marine and fishing gear outlets and from the new VMR Family Fishing Classic website at www.vmrbundabergfishingclassic.com.au. The website contains all the details for the Classic including the program, registration form, weigh-in categories as well as weather and tide information. Juniors (under 16 years) can register for $5, Seniors for $20 and families (2 adults and 2 children) for $45.

Mark the date, get the bait and come to the best Fishing Classic on the Coral Coast! – Graham Kingston

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