General News
19 October, 2026
Record broken at tilapia tourney
ORGANISERS are touting “Australia’s largest tilapia tournament” as a record.
Over two and a half days, 444 participants caught “an amazing 2163 tilapia” at Warrina Lakes, Innisfail.
Cassowary Coast regional councillor Jeff Baines said it was “a fantastic community event”.
“Thank you for everyone for being involved. Thank you for all our sponsors. Thank you for all the family members who came down and were part of this great effort to help us reduce this noxious fish in our waterways and improve the health,” he said.
“A big well done to all the kids and families who came along, cast a line and got involved.
“It was wonderful to see so many young anglers enjoying the outdoors, learning new skills and helping remove invasive tilapia from the lake.”
Cr Renee McLeod said it was the generous support of businesses that enabled so participants to go home with many prizes.
Kalani (surname withheld), of council’s youth advisory committee, said she was “so happy to be seeing everyone that’s come and loved to fish and just join in”. “Seeing so many families and so many children having some fun today. Thank you all for joining,” she said.
The 2026 winners are:
‘Tilapia Tadpole’ – 5 years and under
Most caught fish (female): Elani De Maria – 54 fish
Most caught fish (male): Brody McSwan – 48 fish
Longest fish (female): Elani De Maria – 29cm
Longest fish (male): William Scarfe – 29.5cm
‘Tilapia Trapper’ – 6 to 12 years
Most fish (male): Spencer Torrisi – 144 fish
AdvertisementMost fish (female): Jamine Zupp – 33 fish
Longest fish (male): Riley Guerra – 30 cm
Longest fish (female): Jessika Tammiku – 29 cm
‘Tilapia Teen’ – 13 to 18 years
Most caught fish (male): Lucian Di Carlo – 212 fish
Most caught fish (female): Amber Carita – 1 fish
Longest fish (male): Lucian Di Carlo – 31 cm
Longest fish (female): Amber Carita – 25 cm
Saturday family prizes
1st prize: Most fish by a family: Ogilvie family – 103 fish
2nd prize – Most fish by a family: Torrisi family – 87 fish
3rd prize – Most fish by a family: Higgins Family – 83 fish
4th Prize – Most fish by a family: Lysons family – 33 fish
Best school
Good Counsel Primary School
Read More: Cassowary Coast