IT’S TIME to grease up your reels, dust off your rods and service the outboard. Why? The second annual Sunshine Coast River to Reef Fishing Classic starts on September 24!

This Classic provides Sunshine Coast anglers with an opportunity to participate in a premier fishing event in their backyard. The area from Caloundra to Noosa has some of the best estuary and reef fishing Southeast Queensland has to offer, delivering big snapper, thumping sweetlip, runs of tailor and jew. This time of year sees enormous remnant mackerel and the beginning of black king season.

Anglers participating in the Classic will be able to target beach and estuary species such as tailor, dart, mangrove jack, bream, whiting and jew. The offshore section offers participants the chance to win prizes for snapper, sweetlip, cobia, pearl perch, parrot and mackerel. L. Wilson & Co has donated a huge range of Live Fibre rods as trophies for the event. Each rod will be suited to each category and hand engraved. Category winners will also receive a prize pack containing anything from lures, holidays, gift vouchers, boat bits and reels.

The major prize, valued at $10,000, has been organised by Dolphin Marine and consists of a fully painted and fitted out Stessl Edge Tracker with Yamaha outboard, Dunbier trailer and all the safety gear. There will also be the chance to grab giveaways and mystery weight prizes each day.

Registration will be held at the comp site on Thursday September 23from 4pm onwards, with a full debrief to occur at 7.30pm. Food, beverages and free fishing seminars will be held throughout the night from well-known gurus. Fishing will start midnight Thursday.

Proceeds from the weekend will benefit Sport and Leisure for the Handicapped Assoc. This vital community organisation provides fishing and boating excursions between Brisbane and Hervey Bay for children with disabilities. All money raised will go towards the purchase of a custom-built vessel that provides easy access for wheelchair-bound clients. Donations are always needed so anyone able to contribute to this project please contact QFM.

Entry is $__ for adults and $__ for juniors, and entry forms can be obtained from _________________ or by calling _________________ on (07) ____________.

Sponsors include: Emro Products, Lively Lures, EvaKool, Rio’s, Mix FM, Sunshine Coast Daily, Sam Torrisi Homes, Battery World, Fisherman’s World, Let’s Go Fishing, Betta Electrical, Aussie World, Australia Zoo, Caloundra City Printing, Tru Turn Hooks, Sunshine Toyota, Subway Kawana, Fourex, Coca-Cola, Bundaberg Rum, Gary Howard Rods, IN2 Fly, Outrigger Mooloolaba, Caloundra Fishing World, Aussie Fishing Park, Demon Jigs, Graphreaks, Tie ‘n’ Fly, Perry’s Hire, Fisherman’s World Kawana, Swan Boat Hire, Majestic, IC Fish Electronics, Micks Meat Barn, Megs Joint, Fishsmart Wholesale, Ridgeback Lures, Captain Bligh’s, NB Tech Computers, Top Shots, Wurtulla Fruit and Vegetables and Qld Fishing Monthly. - SCRTR