Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I live in South Australia. Why can’t I win ‘On the Water’ prizes?

A: Due to state Trade Promotions laws, we are currently unable to offer South Australian residents entry into the ‘On the Water’ prize draw section of the Pirtek Fishing Challenge.

The ‘On the Water’ prize draw is deemed to be a ‘game of chance’. The winners are not judged but are selected at random, and so it falls under the rules and restrictions of the South Australian Trade Promotions laws.

The sole focus of the Pirtek Fishing Challenge is to raise funds to help continue the work of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and The Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit.

In order to make the ‘On the Water’ prize draw available to the South Australian competitors, and comply with the current South Australian Trade Promotions laws, we would have to restructure the organisation of the competition, at considerable cost.

Q: Can I get a discount if I can’t be in the ‘On the Water’ prize draw?

A: No. Entry into the ‘On the Water’ prize draw section of the competition is free. Because it is a game of chance, we would be breaking trade promotions laws in various states if we were to charge an entry fee to it, as part of the overall entry fee into the Pirtek Fishing Challenge. The entry fee to the Pirtek Fishing Challenge provides you entry to the ‘catch and release’ competition. The ‘On the Water’ prize draw and ‘My Day Out’ social media competitions are additional, free-of-charge, promotions we provide to registered Pirtek Fishing Challenge competitors.

Q: I did not receive my confirmation email, what should I do?

A: When you successfully enter the competition, you will receive an email from Pirtek Fishing Challenge confirming your entry along with your Angler Numbers. You will receive a separate email from Paypal confirming your payment. If you do not receive your confirmation email, first look in your spam/junk folder of your email program. Sometimes the confirmation emails are incorrectly treated as spam. If it is not there, please contact us at info@pirtekfishingchallenge.com.au, and we will follow up for you.

Q: When will I receive my Angler Number and target species list.

A: The list of target species is available here. Your Angler Number will be emailed to you when your registration is paid. The Codeword, your Angler Number and a repeat list of the target species will be emailed to your nominated email address and be available on the website after 6pm AEDT on Friday, 19 April 2024. The email may not arrive in your in-box until late in the evening. Please check the ‘Spam’ folder of your email program if you have not received your Codeword and Angler Number email by 10pm on Friday night.

Q: I live in one State but will be fishing in another State on the day of the Challenge. Which category do I upload my photo to?

A: You will need to upload your fish photo to the State you fished in, regardless of where you live. So, for example, if you live in Queensland but you are in Tasmania on weekend of the Challenge, then you are competing in the Tasmanian species categories.

Q: What if my cap and brag mat do not turn up before the Challenge date?

A: If you do not receive your measuring mat prior to the event, there are options. Click here for more information.

Q: I want to fish my local freshwater impoundment. Can I do this?

A: Yes, you can fish any public waterway, including impoundments. All private dams are excluded.

Q: Where is the event held?

A: This is a commonly asked question. You can fish in any of your local waterways right across Australia and open to the public.

Q: I didn’t receive my Angler Number or Codeword via email?

A: It is absolutely crucial we have your correct email address as this is the only contact point we use. You need to check your confirmation email and ensure your details are correct. Remember, these are the details you supplied.

Q: Does somebody monitor the email contact point leading up to and on the weekend of the competition?

A: Yes, we respond to all emails ASAP. If you have a question, even on the weekend of the event you can email us through the Contact Us page.

Q: Can I upload my photo to the Facebook page for judging?

A: No. For the main competition, the only way your photograph will be judged is for it to be uploaded to the Pirtek Fishing Challenge website. Any other email address or social media site you send your photo to will not allow your entry to be judged. The My Day Out competition allows you post photos and videos to the PFC’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Q: When does my photo need to be uploaded by?

A: Photographs may be uploaded to the Pirtek Fishing Challenge website by competitors from 30 minutes after official sunrise time in their State/Territory on Saturday, 20 April 2024 until 0700 hours, Monday, 22 April 2024 (State/Territory time). Official sunrise times can be found at timeanddate.com. For example, the official sunrise time for Sydney on Saturday 20 April 2024 is 6.21am. Photographs can be uploaded from 6:51am for a competitor in Sydney.

Q: I forgot the competition was strictly catch and release and my fish was dead on the brag mat when the photo was taken. Is this okay?

A: No. Any fish that is dead, mutilated or bleeding will be excluded from the competition. Even pest fish must be photographed alive and then disposed of in a humane way.

Q: My daughter landed a really big fish, will it be eligible for junior or senior prizes?

A: Senior and junior judging is separate. If she is registered as a junior, then it will be judged in the Junior category. You can only upload a photo of a fish that you caught.

Q: Does the photo I upload need to have the date and time stamped on the image?

A: No, it’s not compulsory. You may use that feature if it’s available on your camera and you know how it works! But make sure nothing obscures your fish laying on the brag mat, otherwise it may not be eligible for judging.

Q: What if I land a fish when it’s dark?

A: There should be no photos taken in the dark.

Q: I paid by credit card, but there was an extra $1 charge on my card?

A: The following information was provided by Paypal: “To verify that your credit card or debit card is open and in good standing, a temporary $1.00 AUD charge might appear in your credit card transaction history. The charge appears as ‘pending’ and is automatically removed after the full amount of the purchase is processed. If the authorisation charge remains on your card after 30 days, contact your card issuer.”