Fishing Comp FAQs

What is the BCF FISHING CLASSIC STICKER and where can I get one?

The official BIG BCF FISHING CLASSIC sticker acts as unique identifying item we require to be clearly featured in entries as a way of ensuring the entries were caught during the competition period.

Head into your local BCF store and collect an official BIG BCF FISHING CLASSIC sticker. Find your local store here. There is a limited number of stickers at each store and they might run out. If you miss out, sharing a sticker is fine so hit up your mates and share if need be (while respecting social distancing requirements). Printing out a copy of the sticker is not allowed; only official stickers will qualify.
All entries need to include both your catch and the official BIG BCF Fishing Classic sticker clearly visible.

WHAT DO I TAKE A PHOTO OF?

You can enter a photo of any legal fish you catch. However, if you are not competing for BCF Aussie Adult Champion or BCF Aussie Junior Champion and don’t want to take a photo and enter every fish, feel free to focus on your largest or the quality, appeal and creativity of the submitted entries.

When taking the photo make sure only the person entering the comp is included. To be clear the entrant must be the only person depicted in the entry picture.

When do I need to upload my entry by?

Entries need to be completely uploaded by midnight 19/07/2020. To be safe we recommend getting them in early. Upload and connection issues can happen, for this reason only entries received by BCF by competition closing time will be valid.

Why is my store out of stickers? Can I still enter?

Limited spots available. There is a total of 54,200 official BCF Fishing Classic Stickers nationwide. Entries will only be accepted if an official BCF Fishing Classic Sticker/Token is present and visible in the entry image. Once all stickers are gone, there will be no more available to entrants.

Where am I allowed to fish?

You can fish anywhere in Australian waters with a few exceptions. Fish caught in fish farms, hatchery waters, aquaculture pens, “Fish & Pay” lakes or private ponds/dams may not be entered. Similarly, sanctuary zones are 'no take' areas, fish caught from these areas is both illegal and not allowed. Entries of fish caught in any of these areas will be disqualified.

Fish caught while commercial fishing or aboard commercial fishing vessels are not accepted and will be disqualified.

Fish caught by paying customers aboard fishing charters are accepted.

What are the fishing hours?

Fishing anytime day or night between (AEST) 03/07/2020 and midnight AEST 19/07/2020 is fine. Just remember to give yourself enough time to get the entry uploaded.

Lure or bait?

Either is within the rules, the choice is yours.

Can I enter a speared fish?

Spear fishing is allowed. As long as the official BIG BCF Fishing Classic Sticker is shown in the entry image. Cast netting is not permitted.

How many times can I enter?

You may enter as many times as you like. You may not enter the same fish more than once. Entrants can submit multiple entries but can only win one prize.

How will the winning entries be selected?

The BCF Big Fishing Classic Committee will choose the BCF Aussie Adult Champion & the BCF Aussie Junior Champion and judging will be based on the amount of entries as well as the significance of capture, size of fish & species of entries. Each winner will receive $5000 in BCF Gift Cards and the title of BCF Aussie Champion.

The committee will also choose 16 winners, 1 in-shore & 1 off-shore winner per state or territory. Judging will be based on the combination of; the significance of capture, size of fish, species, and creativity of the entries.
For all prizes remember:

  • Live fish entries will be favoured
  • Catch & release encouraged

Can I fish from a boat/beach/jetty?

  • Boat
  • Jet Ski
  • Kayak
  • Beach
  • Jetty
  • Rocks, the choice is yours

Please be conscious of:

  • Social distancing regulations
  • Fishing regulations
  • Marine and Boating regulations
  • Safety equipment and practices (including CrocWise)

What does it cost to enter the BCF Big Fishing Classic?

Entry into the competition is free. Entrants must bear their own costs to participate in the competition.

Do I need to be a CLUB BCF Member to enter the BCF Big Fishing Classic?

No, it’s not necessary to be a Club BCF member to participate in the BCF Big Fishing Classic.

Is this a Catch and Release competition?

No, because it is a photo-based competition, we hope the larger breading fish are released and fisho’s keep the better eating plate sized fish and only keep what they will eat.

How do I release a Fish to ensure it has the best chance of survival?

When releasing fish please observe the following best practice methods:

  • Minimise handling time out of the water (leave the fish in the water in the landing net until you are ready for a photo).
  • When holding a fish support its weight horizontally with both hands (don’t hold a fish vertically by its mouth or gills)
  • Don’t lay a fish on a hot surface or allow it to thrash around on a boat’s deck.
  • If possible release fish into cover along the bank or in snags to provide protection while they recover.
  • Use fish-friendly knotless landing nets to minimise injuries such as skin abrasions, fin damage and protective slime loss.
  • When bait fishing, use large non-offset circle hooks (minimum 5/0) to reduce the capture of smaller fish and deeply hooked fish
  • When a fish is deeply hooked cut the line close to the mouth and leave the hook in place.
  • The use of barbless hooks helps when releasing fish and reduces the damage caused.