Moore was pleasantly surprised by his first major win at the event, smashing his competition in the Pearl Perch species section with a 2.965 kilogram whopper.

“I didn't think I was ever going to win anything!” Moore said. 

“We've been there for the last six years, trying to win,” fellow Moree fisherman Ron Rayner said.

Moore thought the $1000 prize wasn’t bad for a day out on the water, and said he almost missed his chance entirely.

Almost deterred by rough waters, the pair decided to head out anyway. At first it seemed it was Rayner’s lucky day as the boat began filling up with his catches, but Moore had no problem pipping him to the post, hooking the winner while Rayner had a snag. Only two hours to weigh-in, it was just in time.

“I beat him to it!” he laughed. “It’s very nice out there on the ocean, very peaceful, and catching a big fish makes your day.”