This year’s 2024 Gold Coast Flathead Classic was another unforgettable event for Team Tooney Fishing, filled with unexpected twists, solid teamwork and plenty of laughs. Although we didn’t break any records, we gave it our best shot and created memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s a look back at the highs, lows and the sand we’re still shaking out of our gear.
Day 1: A Rough Start and a Much-Needed First Catch
We started off Day 1 with high hopes, but the weather had other plans. Strong winds and cloudy skies made for a tough beginning and without a pre-fish session, we were casting blind across the southern end of the Gold Coast. Just as our spirits were starting to dip, we got our first fish of the competition, though not in the most conventional way!
While Tooney was in the water untangling Holding’s freshly spooled braid from the propeller, Stan suddenly shouted, “I’m on!” The boys’ reaction to the barely 13cm catch was priceless—yahooing, cheers, and a beer or two to celebrate our small win. Other boats even came over to check if we were in trouble, only to see us celebrating what became a symbolic start to our competition.
Day 2: The Tides Turn
The morning of Day 2 started off on a much better note. We changed location, heading north to troll along the mangrove edges, and luck seemed to be on our side. Within the first 2.5 hours, we had landed over six fish, setting us up for what we thought would be an epic day.
Then, as the tide shifted from incoming to outgoing, the bite went quiet. We tried to coax the fish back in by moving to the flats, but the real surprise came when our boat engine began to show signs of trouble. Limping back to the ramp, we managed to get the boat to the legends at Surf Coast Marine, who kindly waited for us to arrive. Their support gave us hope we might make it back out for Day 3.
The Hardest Call on Day 3
The wait for news on our boat felt endless. During breakfast, we received the call we’d been dreading: we wouldn’t be able to return to the water this year. While we were disappointed, we knew we’d given it our all and had done everything we could with the circumstances we had. As we packed up our gear and headed back to Brisbane, we felt grateful for the experience, the mateship and the memories we’d made along the way.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
We couldn’t have taken on the 2024 Gold Coast Flathead Classic without our amazing sponsors: The Pineapple Express VC, Holdings Electrical Service, North Storm, and Bullys Offroad & 4WD. Your support helped us get geared up and ready to tackle each challenge, and you reminded us that we’re part of a wider community cheering us on. A huge thank you to each of you for being with us through the highs and lows—you’re a vital part of Team Tooney Fishing’s story, and we’re looking forward to hitting the water again with your continued support!
Comments