HBGFC Classic 2026
Tournament Rules
Hervey Bay, Queensland | 5th - 8th November 2026
Fishing, Friendship, Community
- G.F.A.A. angling rules apply.
- Teams: Minimum 2, Maximum 5 Anglers.
- In accordance with QGFA requirements all competitors Boat Skipper and assisting crew who are aiding in the event of catching a fish are required to be financial members of a QGFA or GFAA affiliated club. Angler fees include competing angler fees & RED levy.
- All crew on board a competing vessel must be entered into the Classic. No spectators allowed on vessels at time of competing.
- Fishing times are as per program and will be signalled by game fish base.
- Line classes and points as per score table for 8, 15, 24, 37 and 60kg.
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A category is available for those fishing “inside” only. Fishing must take place South of latitude 24. 22.000S. and West of longitude 153. 12.000W. Light tackle (8 Kg.) only. Points as per points table except billfish 2000 points & no daily limit on other species.
Eligible for insider prizes only. - Record fish which are eligible for tag points may be weighed and tag points will be given. Fish which do not come within 10% of the record will receive half points.
- The first billfish caught each day must be called in after tagging.
- A maximum of three fish per angler or six fish per team per day other than billfish are to be recorded. No points will be awarded for dead fish unless weighed.
- Tied scores: if two or more teams or anglers finish with equal points the angler or team reaching the score first will be deemed winner.
- Fish are considered captured/tagged at the times called in and recorded.
- Late hook-ups may be played out providing that game fish base is notified prior to stop fishing (see note re Sunday).
- For clarification “Boat Length” will be considered as the measured length of the boat in accordance with these QGFA guides and NOT the manufactures advertised boat length. Specified boat lengths will be measured from the transom where the motor or outdrive of the boat is bolted to the boat. Where the boat has a pod fitted, the transom of the pod where the motors are bolted will be counted in the boat length, to the forward most point of the boat, but will exclude any bowsprit or forward projecting anchor location as per the QGFA Guideline for determining boat length. Specified length to be determined by the Club Tournament committee and will be deemed to have been calculated in accordance with the QGFA Guidelines.
- Other fish species may be added to the points list if bad weather occurs.
- Anglers must supply their own tags.
- Only GFAA approved tags are to be used. Use of any other tag will disqualify the catch.
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Weather: Any decision to cancel the tournament will be made by the committee. A strong wind warning will not necessarily stop the tournament.
IN ALL CASES SKIPPERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR VESSELS AND CREWS. - All vessels must log on and off with Game Fish Base daily. This must include notification of intent to fish heavy or light tackle and if fishing inside. Changes from heavy to light or vice-versa must be notified to Game Fish base.
- All competing vessels must carry a VHF radio in good working order. All competing vessels must remain contactable at all times via radio or agreed alternative communication, by either Game Base or another vessel. Failure to maintain contact may result in team disqualification. A boat logging off from Game Base for the day (even before cease fishing) will be deemed as no longer fishing within the tournament for that day and thereby no longer be eligible to score points for fish caught after doing so. (This does in no way mean a boat may not log on with Marine Rescue Services for safety purposes).
- Radio scheds are 1015hrs, 1315hrs, and 1615hrs daily (No 1615 sched. Sunday). All captures must be reported to game fish base at the next sched. or points will not be awarded for said captures. If out of range scheds must be relayed through another vessel. Sked times may vary, anglers will be notified at the briefing.
- Bar crossings. All Vessels are encouraged to log on with Marine Rescue Hervey Bay (VHF 22) to report bar crossings and overnight stays and log off on return to Urangan Harbour.
- No lines are to be in the water prior to start fishing. This includes the catching of bait. Bait may be retained from the previous day.
- The committee will run random checks to ensure tackle meets GFAA rules.
- All vessels must have a representative attend the briefing or the entry will not be accepted.
- All anglers are to receive equal opportunity to fish.
- Crew or vessel changes during the tournament can only be made with the express approval of the committee.
- All boats nominating to fish the tournament are required to have current boat insurance. Details of such insurance must be completed on the entry form supplied along with a photocopy of your insurance certificate. Should a boat not have insurance, nor be able to supply evidence of insurance and certificate prior to the commencement of the tournament, that boat shall be excluded from participating in the tournament. All onboard safety remains the responsibility of the owner / skipper.
- The tournament committee reserves the right at any stage of the competition to eject, disqualify or deduct points from individuals or teams who are deemed to have conducted themselves in a disrespectful manner and are deemed to have brought the sport of Gamefishing or the tournament into disrepute. In the event that an angler, or a team of anglers/crew/skipper are ejected no result or refund of fees will be entered into.
- Entry to the tournament is at the discretion of the HBGFC Tournament Committee. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to refuse any team or individual anglers entry, and shall not be required to give any reason for doing so.
- T & R min length requirements as per GFAA/QGFA rules. List provided in skipper bag for reference.
Program
THURSDAY
5 NOV
10:30am
Briefing & Calcutta
Hervey Bay Boat Club
FRIDAY
6 NOV
6:00am
Commence Fishing
4:00pm
Stop Fishing
SATURDAY
7 NOV
6:00am
Commence Fishing
4:00pm
Stop Fishing
SUNDAY
8 NOV
6:00am
Commence Fishing
12:00pm
Stop Fishing
6:00pm
Presentation Dinner
Hervey Bay Boat Club
Potential Record Fish
Tag Cards & Score Sheets
Friday & Saturday: Must be given to the Game Base Officer on the mothership by 8:00pm.
Sunday: Must be handed to a club officer on the Tasman Venture mothership by 5:00pm.
Failure to do so may result in the missing cards being excluded from scoring.
Prize Categories
Awards presented at the HBGFC Classic 2026
Main Tournament
Team Awards
- Champion Team T&R 7.5 & Over
- Runner Up Team T&R 7.5 & Over
- Champion Team T&R Under 7.5
- Runner Up Team T&R Under 7.5
Angler Awards
- Champion Heavy Tackle Angler
- Champion Light Tackle Angler
- Champion Female Angler
- Champion Male Angler
- Champion Junior
- Runner Up Junior
Additional Awards
Champion Angler Capture (other game fish species)
Fish must go line class to be eligible
- Champion Hervey Bay Club Angler
- 2nd Place Hervey Bay Angler
- 3rd Place Hervey Bay Angler
- First Bill Fish Tagged/Captured
- Last Bill Fish Tagged/Captured
Insider Categories
RULE 7 APPLIES
- Champion Insider Boat
- Runner Up Insider Boat
- Champion Insider Male Angler
- Champion Insider Female Angler
- Champion Insider Junior
- Champion Hervey Bay Angler
- First Bill Fish Tagged/Captured Insider
- Last Bill Fish Tagged/Captured Insider
Points Table
Light Tackle: 8kg only | Heavy Tackle: 15, 24, 37 and 60kg to be fished in over 100m depth only.
| Species | 8kg | 15kg | 24kg | 37kg | 60kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billfish | 2000 | 6000 | 5000 | 4000 | 3000 |
| Y/F Tuna | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| Long Tail Tuna | 500 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Other Tuna | 150 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Wahoo | 500 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Cobia | 500 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Dolphin Fish | 500 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Spanish Mack | 500 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
Disputes
Lodging a Dispute
Should a team dispute another team’s activity, a Dispute Committee comprising members from a minimum of three clubs (where possible the tournament club and two other clubs should form any protest committee and if possible, the clubs forming the protest committee should not include a club that the protested or protestor are members of) will hear any protest provided they are submitted in writing.
The dispute committee’s decision will be final, and no further discussion will be entered into.
Tournament Committee Investigations
The Tournament committee also reserves the right to begin investigations of any acts and practices that are against GFAA and Tournament rules for a period of 3 months after the tournament has concluded.
If these investigations are upheld, nil points will be awarded for the fish under review and prizes and prize money will be redistributed.
The conclusion of the Tournament Committee will be final and no further discussion will be entered into.
Information
Mothership
The mothership will anchor in the Rooney’s Point – Sandy Cape area. Exact location depends on weather conditions.
Mothership payment deadline: 5:00pm, 30 October 2026.
Late Entries
Entries not received and paid for by 5:00pm, 3 November 2026 attract a:
$100 per angler late fee
Fuel Barge
Available Friday only, 3:00pm–7:00pm.
Fuel must be ordered and paid for by 5:00pm Friday, 30 October.
Fuel prices: TBA
Refuelling location depends on weather.