BRIEFING
All contestants must attend the briefing session at the Carnarvon Yacht Club on West Street from 6pm to 8pm on Sunday, 24 May 2026.
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There is an opportunity to register if you haven't done so online.
DAILY WEIGH-IN
Daily weigh-ins take place daily at Carnarvon Yacht Club on West Street from Monday, 25 May 2026 to Saturday, 30 May 2026 from 5pm to 6pm, and Sunday, 31 May 2026 from 3pm to 4pm.
FISHING
It's time to test your fishing skills. Fishing commences from 6am on Monday 25 May, 2026 until final weigh-in at 3pm on Sunday, 31 May 2025.
All fish must be legal size and caught within the specified area of fifty (50) nautical miles radius of Carnarvon.
PRESENTATION NIGHT
Will you take home a record? The heaviest in each category will take home a prize from the $25k prize pool. Presentation Night will be held Sunday, 31 May 2026 from 6pm until late at the Carnarvon Civic Centre, Woolshed.
KIDS FISHING DAY
Kids Fishing Day will take place on Saturday, 30 May 2026 along the Fascine (opposite Carnarvon Hotel) from 8.30am to 11.30am.
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More information coming soon.
2026 TOURNAMENT
CATEGORIES
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TUNA
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COBIA
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SPANISH MACKEREL
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RED EMPEROR
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BALDCHIN GROPER
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CORAL TROUT
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SPANGLED EMPEROR
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BLACK SNAPPER
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TAILOR
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MANGROVE JACK
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SPANISH FLAG
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BREAM [Yellow Fin]
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FLATHEAD
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WHITING
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SQUID
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TREVALLY (CATCH-N-RELEASE)
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MULLOWAY (CATCH-N-RELEASE)
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CRAB [Blue Swimmer]
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Due to current regulations, Pink Snapper will not be included in this year’s fishing event.
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Each category will receive a Carnar-Fin vest for both the winner and runner-up, with additional prizes awarded at officials' discretion.
In the event of a tie, the prize may be shared.
2026 TERMS & CONDITIONS
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Registrations will not be accepted after 7.30pm Briefing & Registration night.
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All fish must be legal size as specified by Fisheries.
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All fish must be caught within the specified area of fifty (50) nautical miles radius of Carnarvon.
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Fish can be caught on the water from any vessel, or onshore.
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SKIPPERS: You are required to LOG ON and LOG OFF with the Carnarvon Volunteer Sea Rescue, with DPI #, name of vessel # of persons on board, destination & ETA and amount of fuel. Call up on VHF 16 . * This channel is for calling in only (that means NO GOSSIP) or TEXT: 0455 851 318
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No commercial vessels may be used during the competition, except charter vessels. 
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Frozen fish is not acceptable.
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All fish are to be weighed in gutted, gilled, in good edible condition and must be easily identified. NO KEYHOLE GUTTING.
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Internal temperature must be below 10 C. Any fish presented >10C will have wings clipped and cannot attempt weigh-in again. If you’re not sure, save until another day. Any dispute over the acceptability will be arbitrated by a committee.
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Boats must comply with Dept of Transport rules. Boats & Equipment may be checked by the Department of Transport. Boats found to be deficient in safety requirements may render an entrant ineligible for prizes.
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PRESENTATION NIGHT: All competitors and guests attending the Presentation Night on Sunday evening are required to purchase a ticket. Tickets should be purchased by Wednesday before Presentation Night. NO TICKET, NO ENTRY.
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CATCH and RELEASE CATEGORY RULES:
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Must DISPLAY CURRENT YEAR STUBBY COOLER as TOKEN in the photo.
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Photos must be texted to 0437 280 532 by 4 pm for inclusion that day. Alternatively, save for tomorrow.
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NOTE: SUNDAY photos must be in by 2PM
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Must USE CARNAR-FIN brag mat
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Click here for the Catch & Release Flyer for more information
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PRIZES: Any prizes not collected within 30 days are forfeited.
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NOTE: All catches are WEIGHED except for the Crab and Catch-n-Release categories, which are MEASURED. ​
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PINK SNAPPER CLOSURE: Please check with Fisheries for the closure areas for the current year. If pink snapper is caught in these areas, you must release them. Any vessel caught disobeying regulations within the SNAPPER CLOSURE area by Fisheries will be disqualified from the competition. This applies to ALL on board and ALL fish weighed in.
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​NOTE: NEW Permanent categories (crab, squid, Catch n Release) will have the inaugural record set after 3 years of fishing.
CATCH-N-RELEASE
TERMS & CONDITIONS
ELIGIBLE SPECIES
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TREVALLY (all species)
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MULLOWAY
Trevally and Mulloway cannot be weighed-in.
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ENTRY VALIDITY
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MUST use the allocated Carnar-FIN brag mat (provided free in 2026)
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MUST place the current year stubby cooler in the photo
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Fish must be alive at the time of measurement
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Measurements and photo must be taken at the capture location
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Anyone may submit a photo on behalf of a competitor
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All standard Carnar-FIN rules continue to apply
MEASURING REQUIREMENTS
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TREVALLY: Measured to the tail FORK
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MULLOWAY: Measured to the TIP of the tail
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Measurements are rounded down to the nearest millimetre.
PHOTO REQUIREMENTS
To ensure fairness and consistency, all entries must include clear photographic evidence
Each entry must include
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Anglers name
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Clear photo of the fish on the brag mat
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Fish positioned with its head firmly against the stopper
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Photo taken square-on and directly overhead
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Entire fish to be visible
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Mat flat and straight
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Ensure ruler numbers are visible
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2026 Stubby cooler in the photo
DISQUALIFICATION CONDITIONS:
Any visible barotrauma will result in the entry being rejected
Photos not meeting the above standard may be deemed invalid
The same photo cannot be submitted again
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Entries must be received by 4pm Mon-Sat and 2pm Sunday.
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SEND PHOTO ENTRIES TO 0437 280 532
NOVELTY CATEGORY BEST GAME FISH
This year we are raising the stakes with a NOVELTY category – BEST GAME FISH.
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You will have the chance to explore new possibilities and showcase your skills in landing some of the ocean’s most iconic pelagic species – Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo and Dolphinfish (Mahi Mahi)
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Why Pelagic?
WA’s South West has been hit with sweeping bans, with more restrictions expected locally. By spotlighting pelagic species, we keep the thrill alive while staying ahead of the regulatory curve.
Don’t worry, our demersal categories will still be there but with restrictions tightening, its clear the spotlight is shifting. Focusing on Pelagic species like Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo and Dolphinfish (Mahi Mahi), as well as the usual pelagic categories takes some focus off demersal categories and encourages other options.
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The best Gamefish champion takes home a $2000 CASH PRIZE Its bragging rights, adrenaline and a payday all rolled into one.
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Judging will be subjective by judging panel.
HOW TO WIN OVERALL?
If one or more category records are broken, the winner is determined by the fish which is the greatest percentage in weight or length above the current record for the category.
If no records are broken, the winner is determined by the fish weight or length which is closest to the current category record by percentage.