On the Queen's Birthday holiday weekend for 28 of the past 30 years, up to 800 keen anglers from Northern NSW and south-east Queensland have joined the quest to catch the biggest greenback tailor in the region.

These hardy fishos seek a place in the history of the Cabarita Greenback competition as well a chance at grabbing the top cash prize, goods plus trophy to the value of $2000.

From the Tweed to Evans Head, anglers of all ages will point their rods towards the mighty Pacific and local estuaries to catch the biggest tailor and other species to claim cash and other prizes for burning the midnight oil in often very trying conditions.

That elusive big greenback tailor may weigh in at anything from 3kg to 6kg and the top fish will be rewarded with $1500 from the Cabarita Beach Hotel, $500 worth of goods and a trophy.

The second-biggest tailor wins $1000 plus $500 in prizes and a trophy, courtesy of J & K Fowler Building Services Pty Ltd.

For the last six years the event has been run by the Cabarita Beach-Pottsville Beach Lions Club, in conjunction with the Pottsville Fishing Club under the leadership of local fishing identity Geoff Richards, who presides over the weigh-in and presentation. ln the six years the club has run this competition it has distributed more than $95,000 to local organisations including Cabarita Beach Surf Life Saving Club, the Volunteer Rescue Association and Bogangar and Pottsville Beach public schools.

Prizes are presented to all winners and fish donated by competitors are auctioned.

On the Sunday lucky draws, raffles and the major entry draw of a tinnie/ outboard combo is drawn, Courtesy of Marine Tune and Cabarita-Pottsville Lions.

There also are activities for kids, including a jumping castle and face painting.

The area in front of the Cabarita Beach Hotel will be licensed and the Cabarita Beach Surf Club will have breakfast for competitors and the public and hot food available all day. That afternoon/ evening will feature live music and fireworks.

The Lions Charity Greenback Tailor Fishing Comp starts at Cabarita Beach at noon on Saturday, June 9. In the cold light of dawn on the Sunday anglers will return for the weigh-in, which has been extended from 6am to 10am.

Fish of all legal sizes and species are presented for weigh in for 38 fishing prizes on offer including the Gary ‘Arab’ Temperley Perpetual Trophy in memory of a famous local Lion. At least 50 entry prizes will also be on offer.

The major fundraiser Greenback Raffle, which has been on sale since December, will be drawn, along with the entry draw prize of a boat, motor and trailer package. Total prize pool value is more than $30,000

For more information call John or Vicky on 02 6676 2727, email --e-mail address hidden-- or visit www.cabapottslions.org.au. – Greenback

From left, Cabarita Beach Hotel bar manager Todd with 2011 biggest tailor winner Peter Watts and runner-up Simon Graham.