Competition Rules & Conditions
ENTRY
The Entry Fee is paid only once. You may fish 1 day &/or up to and including 6 days. Payment of the entry fee provides entry to the Major Draw Down prizes. Fishing Competition Identification Card must be presented at all weigh ins. Entry fee must be paid before the official opening in order to be eligible for weigh in on the first day, Monday 9 June 2025.
To weigh in fish, competitors must have collected their Fishing Competition Identification Card minimum 24 hours prior to weigh in on any particular day. This competition uses weight of fish as the rule for the measurement of the winners throughout the week.
(a) All fish must be weighed in by the competitor who caught the fish with their identification card presented and weighed on the official scales provided by the organisers to be eligible.
(b) All fish presented to the scales must be taken on rod and reel or hand line.
(c) No undersized fish can be weighed in.
(d) No more than (1) fish per species per competitor can be weighed in on any one night.
(e) All fish weighed in must be gilled, gutted as a whole fish and in an edible condition, with no damage or injuries to the fish which would affect its ability to fight.
(f) Weighins will be conducted daily from 3.00pm 5.00pm. Last weighin on Saturday June 2025 will be from 2.00pm 4.00pm.
(g) All fish caught during the competition must adhere to all recreational fishing regulations governed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. All fish caught must be within size and bag limits and within the allowable catch areas.
(h) Only one (1) fish can win one major prize, with the exception if a competitor has paid the additional fee for the special night events – Seniors, Ladies, Youths, Juniors & Team Event the same fish can win a prize on these special night events.
(i) Any fish deemed to be more than 24 hours old since caught, in the opinion of the official judges, will be disqualified. The JUDGES’ DECISION IS FINAL.
( j) Categories for adults – Reef (5 species), Beach (5 species), Mulloway Fish, Big Fish; Categories for Youths Reef (5 species), Beach (5 species); Category for Juniors – Beach (5 species).
(k) Teams Event:- Adult & Youths
(i) Adults & Youths only event (no Juniors).
(ii) Competitor must have paid entry fee, as well as teams event fee. Club membership complimentary for 2025 entrants*
(iii) Maximum 4 persons per team.
(iv) Only 1 fish to be weighed in per competitor.
(v) 1 species in the Beach and 1 species in the Reef category will be nominated on collection day Sunday 8th June 2025 for one night event only.
FRAUD
If a competitor engages in any dishonest or fraudulent conduct (as determined by the Rainbow Beach Sports Club (the Club) in relation to the competition, including but not limited to the following:
(a) presenting fish caught more than 24 hours prior to weighin;
(b) presenting fish caught from a location other than the offshore and inlet waters of Rainbow Beach; or
(c) presenting netted fish, or otherwise engages in any wilful misconduct or conduct that contravenes the rules and conditions of the competition (including any directive or instruction from the official judge or an authorised representative of the Club), the Club may do any or all of the following:
(a) disqualify the competitor;
(b) forfeit or require the return of any prizes;
(c) exclude the competitor from future events, competitions and activities convened by the Club; or
(d) refer the offending conduct to the relevant authorities.
BOUNDARIES
Fishing boundaries are Maheno Wreck to the north and Noosa North Shore River to the south and Green Zone areas for the Marine Park Great Sandy Straits Zones as per Department of Agriculture & Fisheries.
FISHING PRIZES
(a) In order for a fish to win a prize, the fish must be in categories nominated.
(b) No bill fish, sharks, rays, Qld groper or cod will be accepted.
(c) Black Jew Fish (Protonibea Diacanthus) is a NO TAKE at time of competition.
(d) All boats are required to comply with Queensland Boating Regulations.
(e) All prizes must be claimed nightly and are not the responsibility of the Club. Authorised people can be nominated to collect prizes but must be submitted in writing to the Weigh in tent prior to weigh in conclusion.
(f) If more than one fish with same weight weighed in, the fish weighed in first will be allocated the prize. Time of weigh in will be recorded on all weigh in dockets.
*All entrants under the age of 18 years must have a parent or guardian who is a current member of the club and entered in the competition as an adult Club Membership is complimentary for 2025 entrants. Their membership number must be provided on this form.
LIABILITY
To the extent permitted by law, the Rainbow Beach Sports Club Inc. and each of its members, officers, employees and agents exclude all liability (arising from negligence, default or otherwise) to the competitor or any other person for any loss, damage, cost or expense (including special, indirect or consequential loss or damage) suffered or incurred as a result of or in connection with the competition. All competitors fully understand that in so participating, they do so entirely at their own risk.
BOAT COMPETITORS
(a) All vessels must have current Queensland registration or registration recognised in another State and must have the registration numbers displayed on both sides of the vessel.
(b) Boat skippers must be the holder of a Queensland speedboat driver’s licence or a boat licence recognised in Queensland.
(c) All vessels must carry all the safety equipment as required by the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2016 (QLD) and any other applicable legislation.
(d) All vessels should contact the coastguard prior to and after each day fishing and provide their competitor number. There is a QR code situated at each boat ramp for log-in/log out also.
(e) Commercial fishermen must participate as recreational fishermen, adhering to all rules and regulations that may apply to recreational fishermen and their vessels for the duration of the event.
(f) Changes to competitor entry categories must be submitted prior to the commencement of the Fishing Classic, Sunday 8th June 2025. A Junior competitor may fish in the Youth category if they have nominated and paid to compete as a Youth. Junior category is aged 3 years to 9 years as at Sunday 8th June 2025. A Youth competitor may fish in the Adult category if they have nominated and paid to compete as an Adult. Youth category is aged under 16 as at 8th June 2025.
(g) Any fish caught during the competition are prohibited to be sold.
(h) Any Fish presented at weigh-in with missing tail fins or any other fin, except pectoral fin, WILL BE DEEMED INELIGIBLE.
BAD WEATHER
If the event organisers or the COASTGUARD deem the crossing of the Wide Bay Bar unsafe, participants are expected to adhere to these warnings. The Club reserves the right to rule fish ineligible if the safety warnings have been breached.
JUDGES DECISION IS FINAL
(a) Reference: Queensland Fishing 2.0 App
(b) The Club shall have the absolute right to exclude anyone from the
competition without giving any reason whatsoever.
FINAL DRAW DOWN RULES
(a) Draw Down promotions will commence once all Adults (18
competitors), Youths (12 competitors), Juniors (12 competitors) have been selected per night drawn from 5.30pm Monday 9th, Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th, Friday 13th, Saturday 14th June 2025.
(b) All fishing competitors that enter the competition PRIOR to 5.00pm SUNDAY 8th JUNE 2025 will be eligible for the draw.
(c) Draws will be conducted via a random number generator.
(d) To be eligible for the draw you must have paid the entry fee.
(e) In each draw the entrant possessing the number announced must present themselves with fishing competition identification (Competitor Card) and photo or government issued photo identification within 30 seconds of drawing or a redraw will occur.
(f) During the major trophy presentation on Saturday 14th June 2025, ONE entry will be drawn using a random number generator from the already drawn eligible 18 numbers for adults (or 12 for youths and juniors), by drawing 17 numbers first (or 11 for youths and juniors), making the last remaining entry being the major winner in each category.
(g) Before the draw commences all 18 eligible adult entrants (12 youths/juniors will be required to present themselves to the stage areas when called (within 2 minutes) or be disqualified from the draw.
(h) The complete list of terms and conditions including the list of prizes, order and recommended retail price will be available on the Rainbow Beach Sports Club website from the 2nd June 2025 and signage on display at the Club from the 2nd June 2025 and throughout the Fishing Classic Event grounds from the 8th June 2025.
EARLY BIRD DRAWDOWN(ADULTS) – BRAND NEW IN 2025
To be eligible for the Early Bird Drawdown prizes, you must have entered as an ADULT by11:59pm on the 2nd of May 2025.
All entries received after this time will be ineligible for this prizepool. A full list of prizes will be available via our website by the 26th May 2025.
Early Bird draw downs will take place each night during presentations (2 draws) and the final early bird draw down will be drawn on Saturday 14th June, 2025 during our grand finale presentations. In each draw, the entrant drawn must present themselves together with their ID and competitor card within 2mins of the announcement or a redraw will take place.
REFUND POLICY
The competitor is entitled to a full refund of fees paid, less a $50.00 administration fee and agrees that to be eligible for a refund of any nature, an application for a refund must be submitted in writing to the Rainbow Beach Sports Club no later than 5.00pm on Sunday, 1st June 2025. Refund applications received after this date will be denied. The competitor accepts that if any fees are charged by their financial institution as a result of a dishonoured payment on a cheque or credit/debit card, the competitor will be responsible for any such fees.
TRANSFER OF COMPETITOR PAYMENTS
If for any reason a competitor cannot attend the Event, their payment may be transferred to a new competitor no later than 5.00pm on Sunday 2nd June 2025. An administration fee of $50.00 will apply which will be required to be paid at time of transfer.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
The competitor consents to the publication and/or use of in any form of merchandise or media whatsoever of their name, image, voice, results, statements or otherwise, without payment or compensation. The competitor agrees to receive marketing material, such as emails, SMS and entry forms, from the Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic & Expo. Please contact the Rainbow Beach Sports Club, on fish@rainbowsportsclub.com.au or 07 5486 3191 if you wish to opt-out of receiving any promotional or marketing material.
NOTE
Any action, incident or situation not covered by the rules and conditions written in this entry form shall be determined co-jointly by the management of the Rainbow Beach Sports Club, and the official judge if or when those conditions arise. Their decision is final.