Sport
21 September, 2025
Near-record 19kg barracuda caught on Reef
THE ANNUAL Australian Steel Traders (AST) Cairns Bluewater Billfish Tournament returned to Cairns recently, drawing anglers from across Queensland and beyond for a three-day tag-and-release challenge on the waters of the outer and inner reefs.
Bluewater Game Fishing Club vice-president Trent Killmore said the event showcased the region’s reputation as a game fishing hotspot.
“We had 17 boats competing over three days and there were 29 billfish tagged and released,” he said.
“It’s a light-tackle competition, which makes it a lot of fun for anglers of all experience levels.”
The competition also saw a standout catch when a young angler landed a near-Australian record barracuda weighing around 19 kilograms.
“Traditionally, the event focuses on billfish, so that barracuda was a real highlight,” Mr Killmore said.
Participants hailed from across Queensland, including Brisbane and Weipa, as well as local Cairns-based competitors. The leading boat across all three events in the North Queensland Shootout took home a prize of $15,000 in cash.
The full results are:
Angler Awards
Champion Senior Male: Calan Ewen-Smith (Team Weapon)
Runner-Up Senior Male: Adrian Smith (Team Geronimo)
Champion Senior Female: Terri Morgan (Team The Edge)
Runner-Up Senior Female: Lily Sims (Team Big Business)
Grand Champion Overall: Calan Ewen-Smith (Team Weapon)
Gamefish Weigh-Ins
Day 1: Blake Goodwin – Spanish Mackerel, 8.8 kg
Day 2: Yasmin Smith – Spanish Mackerel, 8.3 kg
Day 3: Benson Smith – Spotted Mackerel, 3.3 kg
Other Awards:
Unluckiest Female Angler: Shay Corbett (Team Mustard)
Unluckiest Male Angler: Matt Bligh (Team Big Business)
Junior Encouragement: Benson Smith (Team Laylow)
Out-of-Town Angler: Adrian Smith (Team Geronimo)
Boat Awards
Champion Boat Over 7.5 m: Team Miss Nic
Champion Boat Under 7.5 m: Team The Edge
First Bill Fish tagged day one - Calan Ewen-Smith
Last Bill Fish tagged day one - Ash Arrowsmith
First Bill Fish tagged day two - Joel Pallister
Last Bill Fish tagged day two - Danny Barrow
First Bill Fish tagged day three - Nick Stolk
Last Bill Fish tagged day three- Kelven Bailey
Calcutta Results
1st Place: Team Miss Nic
2nd Place: Team Big Business
3rd Place: Team Weapon
2025 Shootout Results
1st Place: Team Miss Nic
2nd Place: Team Geronimo
3rd Place: Team Big Business
