Top anglers launch Australian Fishing Championships in Mackay

Fishing Guru Steve “Starlo” Starling has introduced Australia’s finest tournament anglers at the launch of the Australian Fishing Championships XIV in Mackay.

Mackay Tourism is working in partnership with Mackay Regional Council, Mackay Airport, Holden, United Petroleum, BCF, Hobie® and Mercury Marine in hosting the AFC Series.

The AFC Series is where the best anglers from across Australia compete in a head-to-head format.  The AFC anglers will be targeting Sooty Grunter and Barramundi across Kinchant, Teemburra and Eungella Dams from October 3 to 8.  All fish are measured by length and immediately released once they are caught.

Filming will take place over five days of competition, and will be broadcast on Channel 10 in Australia and on Fox Sports across Asia commencing August 2018. 

In addition to the AFC Broadcast a Behind-the-Scenes Series hosted by fishing personality Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling will be shown exclusively through BCF TV.

Starlo will take viewers behind the scenes giving them a deeper understanding of what goes into winning the coveted AFC title.

Mayor Greg Williamson said hosting the AFC in Mackay perfectly aligned with the aims of the recently adopted Mackay Region Recreational Fishing Strategy.

“Council is happy to support the Mackay leg of the AFC thought our Invest Mackay Events Attraction Fund because of the obvious flow-on effect this will have for fishing tourism in the region,” Cr Williamson said.

“One of our aims is to reach the core fishing market interstate and internationally and show them the amazing piscatorial assets we have on our doorstep.”

General Manager of Mackay Tourism, Tas Webber, said it was the second year that AFC was filmed in region.

“The Australian Fishing Championship has been running for 14 years and is the absolute pinnacle of fishing in Australia, with the best anglers going head-to-head,” Mr Webber said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to promote fishing in The Mackay Region, with the series being broadcast both domestically and internationally on TV.”

 

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