Angler crews from as far as Geelong, Victoria, will compete with their eyes on two major prizes – the over 150 kilogram marlin jackpot and the coveted Golden Lure tag and release grand champion.

It begins with a briefing night, before a spectacular sail past and blessing of the 60 boat fleet at Lady Nelson Wharf from 7.45am on Saturday, January 6.

Port Macquarie Game Fishing Club president Janeck Kazcorowski said it is the biggest Golden Lure to date with 60 boats, ranging from 17 feet to 53 feet, competing.

“We have a good range of really good boats. The sail past will be a real spectacle and well worth a look,” he said.

“We expect close to 300 anglers, with men, women and children competing for a big prize pool.

“But more so the general feedback is that it’s a very social tournament that is lots of fun and is in a great location, which is why it is always so popular.”

Last year, 100 percent of fish caught were tagged and released, however the $10,000 heaviest marlin jackpot is sure to attract plenty of competition.

“We’re expecting a real good run of black marlin that are tag and release only, unless it’s over 150kg,” Kazcorowski said.

Read more: Check out photos from the 2016 event

Port Macquarie angler Jason Herbert will compete aboard the boat Rampage.

“This is my fourth golden lure, and I’ve done a couple of other tournaments as well,” he said.

“The Golden Lure format is what makes it great for me. Being a week-long tournament is great. Instead of it being a weekend rushed tournament you get more time.”

Herbert and his brother Nathan are expecting to go for the black marlin this year, but said it will be a “suck it and see” type of event.

“We will see what the weather is doing on the Friday but at this stage we’ll go for the marlin,” he said.

“We look for sea conditions but also when we get out there we look for water temperatures, what kind of bait fish are around and that determines whether we stay there or head out for blue marlin.”

Categories include: Champion boat (tag and release), champion male angler and champion lady angler (tag and release), champion junior angler and champion small fry angler (tag and release) and most tagged and released marlin, shark and other game fish.

Weigh ins are each afternoon. The official presentation luncheon taking place at Port City Bowling Club on Saturday, January 13 from 11.45am