Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Last year’s winner, Marco Lapico, with his 108cm barramundi. Photo supplied: Cardwell Sportfishing Club
The Cardwell Sportfishing Club will celebrate 20th anniversary of its iconic Cardwell Barra Bonanza when the tournament returns from October 22 to 24, 2026, with a bigger field, a $80000 prize pool and the chance for one lucky competitor to take home a new boat.
This year's competition will welcome up to 300 senior competitors, an increase from the previous limit of 250, while junior entries will remain unlimited. The major prize is a Quintrex 440 Busta fitted with a 60 hp Yamana outboard which will be awarded to one of the 300 senior entrants in a prize draw at the presentation evening. Competitors must be present at the presentation to claim the prize.
The public are also invited to join the celebrations on Saturday, 24th October, at the Cardwell Community Centre, where Koffin Rockers will provide the entertainment and a selection of food vans will be on hand throughout the evening.
The Barra Bonanza is a catch-and-release tournament, with competitors able to fish individually or as part of a two or three-person team. All catches are photographed on a tournament-issued bragmat and submitted electronically for assessment, with prizes awarded for barramundi, mangrove jack, grunter and threadfin salmon.
Competitors can chase both individual and team prizes, with awards based on the largest fish caught as well as the combined length of fish caught throughout the competition.
The event has become the Cardwell Sportfishing Club's major competition of the year, attracting anglers from across Australia.
The Club said that Barra Bonanza would not be possible without the support of its sponsors, including Naming Rights Sponsor Cairns Hardware, Platinum Sponsors Carmin and Anaconda, Gold Sponsors Cav's Marine & Outdoor, Kai's Signs, Shimano, Fishfeen, Economic Development Queensland and Silver Sponsors Solahart Cairns, BWS Cardwell, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Qld Steel & Equipment, Tackleworld Tully, Hinchinbrook & Cassowary Coast Life newspaper and Lanotec.
Regristrations for the 2026 Cardwell Barra Bonanza close on Thursday, 8th October, or earlier if the 300-entry limit is reached. Anyone interested in competing can visit the Cardwell Barra Bonanza Facebook page or their website, www.cardwellsportfishingclub.com.au and follow the registration link.
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