Anglers from along Australia’s east coast will vie for more than $35,000 in prizes during the Riviera Light Tackle Masters gamefishing tournament on 19-21 January. The tournament will be held on the Gold Coast.

The two-day tag-and-release billfish event is expected to attract 200+ anglers and 50+ boats, cementing the event’s reputation as one of the largest game fishing tournament in Queensland.

Prizes and trophies will be awarded across many categories including best male, female, junior and ‘small fry’ anglers, champion team with many other prize categories as well.

This is the second year Riviera has partnered with the Gold Coast Game Fish Club to host the event.

The Tournament Director of the Gold Coast Game Fish Club, Brooke Habner, said that the club is absolutely delighted with the value and support that Riviera has brought to the professionalism of this tournament.

“The company’s involvement with the Riviera Light Tackle Masters will ensure that it becomes one of the most sought after tournaments on the east coast of Australia,” Brooke said.

The Tournament begins on Friday, January 19 with a briefing at the Chancellor Resort, Hope Island, with fishing on Saturday and Sunday.

Riviera will hold a separate tag-and-release competition during the challenge, exclusively for Riviera owners and their teams.

Throwing out a challenge to other Riviera owners, the company will enter its high profile purpose-built game boat, Fascination II. The sleek silver-hull Riviera 51 Enclosed Flybridge will have a team of anglers headed by Tim Simpson, Editor of Bluewater Boats and Sportfishing magazine.

Riviera’s Director of Brand and Communications, Stephen Milne, said the company was proud to be supporting this major event and that a television program would also be produced during the tournament.

Craig Newton, Vice-President of the Gold Coast Game Fish Club, said, “The Riviera Light Tackle Masters is always an exciting event because it attracts a large number of participants and their families.

“Gold Coast anglers are privileged for many reasons, not least the fact that we have access to billfish all year round and one of the best blue marlin fisheries in the world.

“We have made this a total event, not simply a tournament with many people coming along just to take part in the social events.

“We are expecting more than 50 boats to enter the tournament which could break all Queensland records for this type of event.

“Following each day on the water, we have a host of social functions organised where anglers can relax and meet new friends with similar interests.”

All the events will be held at the luxurious Chancellor Resort Hope Harbour.

For application details please contact Tournament Director Brooke Habner on 0409 636 477 or (07) 5529 2908 or go to www.goldcoastgamefish.com . – Riviera