Guy McConnell

Well here we are the halfway point in our Top Gun angler profiles and you're gonna love this Guy (had to get that out of the way early). He's a previous Top Gun Champ, always at the point end of the Classic field and one of the best credentialled young anglers around....none other than Guy McConnell

Meet Mr Consistent, "Young Gun", he'll answer to the lot and some others I'm sure. The Flathead Classic just wouldn't be the same without him, hearing his name mentioned every night amongst the top anglers in field by the MC....its tradition.
Home Town: Jacobs Well
Fishing Club(s): Nil
Biggest Flathead: 94cm
Best Result: Top 5 Individual twice
Top 3 Teams twice and numerous other top 10
Boat(s): 440 Quintrex Hornet Trophy powered by a 40hp Etec
Favourite Place to Fish: The Pin area
Favourite Technique: Whatever is working at the time
Sponsors: Nomad Design and BKK Hooks
Bio: Guy is a consistent performer in the Classic as his results indicate. He’s back in the Top Gun ranks again this year. Guy tends to go about things with little or no fuss and just gets the job done. He is extremely versatile and knows the Pin like the back of his hand.

Bidding Advice: For anyone wanting to learn a wide range of techniques then add this Guy to your bidding “black book”. He’s across the what where and why of Flathead this time of year and will be dialled in for sure. Outstanding value for money for the winning bidder/s who will not only learn a lot but watch this young Gun in action.

 


Bo Sawyer

Bo Sawyer 

The next angler up for our Top Gun profiles is a debutante in the Top Gun ranks this year but let me tell you this guy is an absolute "gun". From the Tackle Tactics stable and part the reigning champion Classic team, it's Bo Sawyer. 

Home Town: Logan 

Clubs: Gold Coast Sport Fishing Gold Coast Sportfishing Club  

PB Flatty: 92cm  

Best Results: Flathead Classic Champion Team 2022 

Top Gun Shootout 2022 6th Open Division 

Favourite Techniques: Tea bagging the deep and flicking plastics on the shallow 

Favourite Place to Fish: The Pin 

Sponsors: Tackle Tactics/Zman 

Bo is probably the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet so a fantastic day on the water is a given for the lucky bidder(s). For anyone who saw Bo's recent talk at the Club night will appreciate how methodical he is in his approach to a day's fishing and you can be assured his plan will be rock solid. His versatility will ensure the opportunity to learn a myriad of different techniques and adapt to what the fish want on the day. 

Bidding advice: This may be his first time in the Top Gun ranks but Bo will generate a lot of interest, he's a champion bloke who knows his craft. He will represent great value for money and no doubt will be right in amongst the thick of the action once fishing starts.  

At this point in time we need to let you know that Bo may not have his boat available, so it is possible bidding for Bo may be restricted to someone who can provide a boat to fish from on the day. 

 


Jamie McKeown

The next angler up in our Top Gun list is another first time angler in the Top Gun ranks. This bloke is probably more well known on the Australin Bream Circuit in which he's a dual Australian Open Champion and multiple qualifier champion, but over the past few years he has proven his versatility by achieving outstanding results in the Flathead Classic. He's a quiet achiever with a stack of talent and is the kind of guy that could catch a fish in a puddle of water. Introducing…

 

Jamie McKeown 

Home Town: Gold Coast  

Fishing Club(s): GCSFC  

Biggest Flathead: 96cm  

Best Result: 3rd 2022 overall Individual and other Top 20 results  

Boat(s): Bass Boat Skeeter ZX250 Yamaha 250 SHO HUMMINBIRD Helix 12 x3, mega 360, mega live, MinnKota Raptor Crossover- Hammerhead Plate 4800.  

Favorite Place to Fish:Mallacoota/Sydney Harbour, that question is like asking who your favourite child is.  

Favorite Technique: I love fishing flats and shallow water equally as much as fishing deep fast flowing water. I can adjust quickly to suit the conditions or the bite.  

Sponsors: Nulook Floors, BLA, MinnKota, Humminbird, Samaki, BucknBass, Sportys, VMC, X Braid YGK Australia, Enforcer Products, Minn Repairs, Tournamentboats.com.au, ABT, InfoFish, Pimp My Lure (PML), XZone Soft Plastics 

 

Bio: The winning bidder(s) will be treated to a fantastic day on the water. Scooting around the arena in a very fast Bass boat with one of the best anglers in the country as the skipper is just the start of the experience. Jamie's understanding of the science behind fishing is exceptional and you can be assured that he will have you in the right locations at exactly the right times.
Bidding Advice: Opportunities to fish with anglers the calibre of Jamie are rare and you will learn so much more than just fishing for Flathead. Put this guy in your little black book and have him high on your list for the auction night.

Steve Ward

Day 2 of our Top Gun angler profiles and lets pull the trigger on a man who has risen to the top of the sport in the past few years. He's the reigning Flathead Classic champ and one of the most diverse anglers you'd ever meet. Its none other than the Coasts best sparky....Steve Ward. Raid the kids piggy bank, sell the cat but do yourself a favour and put in a bid for a day on the water you'll never forget.

Home Town: Gold Coast - Born in Mackay

Fishing Club(s): Gold Coast Sport Fishing Club

Biggest Flathead: 89.5cm

Best Result: Reigning Flathead Classic Champion

Boat(s): 4.6m Quintrex Top Ender 70hp Yammy

Favorite Place to Fish: Jumpinpin

Favorite Technique: Big swim and glide baits

Sponsors: The Mad Hueys and EJ Todd

Bio: You would travel a long way to find a more diverse angler than Steve. He is always on the water fishing and this shows in his knowledge of all different angling styles. His ability to fish all different styles and ability to think outside the box really will mean you will be in great hands for the day. He is adept at fishing, both deep and shallow water techniques, trolling, casting plastics and vibes

Bidding Advice: The reigning champion will ensure there is plenty of attention for Steve in the bidding. Opportunities to fish with a Flathead Classic champion don’t come along every day. Add to that his diversity in fishing techniques, the winning bidder is ensured to have a cracking day out!!

 


Troy Dixon

Well here we are almost half way through our Top Gun profiles and today we have an absolute cracker for you. One of the most versatile anglers you will ever meet and his bio will certainly back that up.....here is Troy "Dicko" Dixon

Home Town: Brisbane

Fishing Club(s): Gold Coast Sport Fishing Club

Biggest Flathead: 98 cm

Best Result: 9th Gold Coast Flathead Classic 2017

2nd 3 Man Team Gold Coast Flathead Classic 2017

Boat(s): Skeeter ZX190 powered by a 200hp SHO Yamaha

Favorite Place to Fish: Jumpinpin

Favorite Technique: Shallow & Deepwater

Sponsors: Wilson Fishing

Bio: Troy is a regular in the Flathead Classic and part of the very successful “Team Zerek” from the Wilson fishing stable. As a team they are always at the pointy end of the field and Troy individually has finished top 5 previously in the individual standings.

Bidding Advice: Troy has won the Top Gun twice previously so he knows this event well and knows what it takes to win this one. Troy is a versatile angler who is as comfortable fishing the deep with plastics as trolling the edges of banks. Troy also mentions targeting the drains and gutters with plastics as his one of his preferred techniques. Fishing out of his Skeeter, which is fast….real fast. It will be a real treat, especially for anyone who’s never fished from a platform like this before. He will generate a lot of interest in the bidding and represents a great investment by the winning bidder.


Stuart Grice

Stuart Grice

Junior champ x1 

Runner up junior x2 

Top 10 overall finish x2 

Runner up 2 person team x1 

3rd place teams last flatty classic (2021)

Boat- 4.5 poly craft 75hp etec, simrad electronics 

Biggest flatty still 91

 

No sponsors but always looking for some

 

Dougies shop comp won 5/6 comps 

Self claimed expert at taking short cuts over shallow water  

I’ll fish anywhere that still has water on it!!

Home Town: Gold Coast

Fishing Club(s): Gold Coast Sport Fishing Club

Biggest Flathead: 91cm0 lb

Best Result: Junior Winner in the Gold Coast Flathead Classic and runner up twice.

Boat(s): 4.5 Polycraft powered by 50 hp Evinrude etec. Hummingbird Electronics.

Favorite Place to Fish: Gold Coast Broadwater

Favorite Technique: Shallow water and flats using soft plastics & hard body lures.

 

Neak Caruana

The second of our Top Gun profiles for today sees the first of our Top Gun debutantes. Now don't let the fact its his first time up fool you, this bloke is all class and has well and truly eared his place amongst the elite.......introducing Neal Caruana
Home Town: Gold Coast
Club: Gold Coast Sport Fishing Club
PB Flatty: 86cm
Boat: Quintrex 440SC Renegade 60HP Yamaha - Lowrance sounder /Minn Kota electric
Best result: Numerous Top 10 team finishes, including 3rd in 2019 and the champion team from last years event
Favourite place to fish: Jumpinpin
Favourite Technique: Shallow water plastics, hard bodies and the odd glide bait
No sponsors
Bio: Stepping up to the Top Gun ranks, Neal has worked hard to establish his profile and reputation amongst the best Flathead anglers going around. He is a well rounded angler who can fish an array of different techniques. The winning bidder/s are guaranteed a great day out and will learn a heap.
Bidding advice: Neal will generate a lot of interest when Swainy opens the bidding. He is well known and well respected as a quality angler who knows his stuff, you don't get a CV like his by not working hard and putting in effort. I'd lock him in as a dark horse and will represent great value for money.

Darren Hudson

This guy has worked really hard to lift his profile over the past few years and as part of the very successful Team Wack'em certainly has achieved that.
 
Darren Hudson.
Home Town: Gold Coast
PB Flatty: 92cm
Boat: 6m Custom Bass boat converted from a ski racing boat with Raymarine electronics
Favourite place to fish: Targetting the big Flatty's in the deep with large plastics but equally as comfortable up in the shallow throwing 100mm + stick baits
Bio: "Daz" as he is affectionately known is really starting to lift his profile amongst the elite of the Flathead fishing ranks. He's amongst the Atomic crew and loves using their gear to great effect to target big fish. You'll regularly see pics of him holding quality Flathead all year around, not just during the prime season. Whilst he hasn't cracked a big win yet, rest assure his time will come.....and it may very well be in this event as he pits his skills against some of the very best. Fishing from a very comfortable fishing platform Darren is extremely forthcoming with advice and is willing to share that with others.
Bidding advice: Once again don't let the word "debutante" I can guarantee its not his first rodeo and the winning bidder will be in for a great day on the water. He's extremely versatile and spends a lit of time on the water and will undoubtedly have a rock solid plan. The winning bidder will also receive a pack of "goodies" from Atomic which will be a real added bonus.