IT’S ON again – this year’s Bowen Family Fishing Classic and Wet Weekend is being held on Bowen’s Front Beach along Santa Barbara Parade on September 20-21. This fun family event attracts thousands of visitors, and the prize pool this year totals nearly $90,000 in cash and prizes.

The main senior lucky draw prize is a 495 ‘Sportsman’ cruiser package valued at $23,000 from Stessl, Honda Marine, Tropical Trailerboats and Humminbird. The junior lucky draw prize is a Coca-Cola boat package valued at $ 3400.

The organisers have moved the Classic closer towards the Marina this year for easy access to the all-weather and all-tide boat ramp. There are 16 fishing categories, including crabs, and there is a Highest Weight prize as well as Secret Weight for all senior and junior anglers. The Highest Weight Fish in the ladies category wins $1000 from Centrepoint Plaza Traders, and there’s also a Lucky Weigh-in prize of a Honda EX7 lightweight generator. Up for grabs in the Tagged Fish category is a Proserpine Motorcycles Honda TRX 250 four-wheeler bike.

There are two weigh-ins over the weekend, and fish donated to the weigh-in team are filleted, packaged and delivered to Meals On Wheels. The weigh-in station is placed to allow better access for anglers and spectators to enjoy the commentary from Gary Howard from Channel 7’s Creek To Coast. The family entertainment over the weekend includes heaps of rides (including helicopter rides), games, displays, live music and fireworks, along with tens of thousands of dollars of prizes and giveaways.

Tickets are $20 for seniors and $8 for juniors, and include entry into the lucky prize draws. For more information contact Ross McCabbin on (07) 4786 3899. – Bowen Tourism