It’s almost time for the 2024 Garmin Billfish Shootout

Visit the charming coastal town of Port Stephens, NSW, this February to watch (or participate in) the famous Billfish Shootout.

Each year, keen anglers from all over gather at Nelson Bay in Port Stephens

, New South Wales, to participate in Newcastle & Port Stephens Game Fish Club’s annual ‘Billfish Shootout’. The primary objective of the event is to increase awareness of the unique fishing environment available in Port Stephens to the national and international game fishing community.

With another successful event in 2023, 2024’s event on the weekend of 16–18 February 2024 is gearing up to be a big one — and you can spectate for free!

The Billfish Shootout has evolved over the years to where it is now widely recognised as one of the foremost game fishing events on the Australian game fishing calendar. This tournament is an opportunity for novice affiliated anglers to successfully pit their skills against some of the best blue water champions in Australia.

Those participating can vie for success in anything from a small watercraft with a modest budget to a professional crew onboard a larger luxury vessel.

There are many different groups at the event, including international, national, intrastate and local recreational anglers, international, national and community sponsors, junior (supervised) anglers, regional residents and tourists visiting the region.

History

The concept of the Billfish Shootout originated when Newcastle & Port Stephens Game Fish Club approached the New South Wales Game Fishing Association seeking approval to proceed with the unique event. The Shootout would be an attempt to bring together all local and visiting (tourist) anglers in the spirit of camaraderie and goodwill, who share a passion for the sport of recreational game fishing. Permission was granted, and since the tournament only grows in popularity and prestige.

What to expect at the 2024 Shootout

Havingattracted 135 boat entries and 680 anglers, the 2023 event once again proved to be the benchmark for Australian game fishing tournaments. With a tough act to follow, 2024’s event will include a Briefing Night at West Diggers (Nelson Bay), social interaction with fellow competitors at the legendary Newcastle & Port Stephens Game Fish Clubhouse (Shoal Bay) and winds up with a sensational Presentation Night (West Diggers) at the conclusion of the tournament.

Port Stephens

Just two and a half hours up the coast from Sydney (or right next to Newcastle), Port Stephens is a beautiful little coastal town that embodies a true Aussie way of life. It’s also known for having one of the world’s most fertile billfish fisheries. The Shootout is held during the peak fishing season, so competitors should be well prepared for some lively fishing action.

With its amazing fishing, natural beauty and abundant recreational activities, Port Stephens will again serve the tournament and participants most favourably.

Cash prize

The three big prizes are of course dictated by weight, with the main prize of a huge $50,000 going to the heaviest billfish. There is also a $12,500 prize for heaviest shark over 350kg and a $12,500 prize for champion boat tag and release (T&R).

With such amazing prizes on offer, the competition is sure to be fierce. If you’re not interested in competing but love fishing and want to see what all the fuss is about, spectators can attend for free. We hope you can make it to Nelson Bay on the weekend of 16–18 February 2024.

Think you can catch the big one?

If you’re interested in participating in next year’s event, there is still time to enter. You can fill out this entry form right until 5pm on 13 February 2024 to try your hand at the $50,000. Good luck to all participants.

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Destination — Port Stephens, NSW

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