This year’s 20th Yamaha Cod Classic, with 2850 anglers throughout Australia plus family members and friends totaling over 4,000 people, was one of the biggest in what has become the nation’s top inland fishing competition.
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“We had 2450 adults and 400 kids fishing – it was really good,” a very satisfied and proud organiser Tony Bennett told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“Saturday night was massive with between 4,000 and 4,500 people.”
For the catch and release event, there were about 500 cod caught, 100 yellow belly and 400 carp on the end of lines according to Tony.
“The largest cod caught was 117cm and Mick Crothers’s son - Joe’s grandson Hudson – caught the largest cod in the junior section with 93cm,” he said.
Hudson’s dad Mick looked like being the senior winner with his 106cm cod. But two late weigh-ins before the deadline of 109cm by Jack McLeod and Greg Armstrong’s big 117cm catch surpassed Mick’s.
“Hudson’s been in fine lead-up form with a 106cm catch about two months ago,” a proud grandad Joe Crothers of Crothers Cordial Yarrawonga said.
Ben O’Donnell’s 56.5cm yellow belly catch was the biggest and C.Beer was best junior with a 56cm yellow belly.
With 10 Yamaha boats won by attendees, it means that since 1989, an overall total of 120 boating packages have been given away to lucky recipients.
“Giving away 10 boats last weekend was an amazing effort,” Tony said. One of Tony’s helpers, Rod Sissons, described Saturday night as “huge” with the giving away that night of a few boats and many other prizes.
“With Flathead Freddie, the kids loved him, like always, even if they’ve heard it before,” Rod said. “Talks by fishing experts such as (Victorian Cod expert) Rod MacKenzie were excellent.
“It was just a great night with people eating and drinking, and enjoying themselves.”
Tony concluded: “There were three different film crews and the continued support of sponsors was wonderful.
“We had anglers throughout Australia and next year we’ll celebrate our 21st.”
At the end of another year’s planning for, then conducting, the 2019 Yamaha Cod Classic, Tony ‘relaxed’ with a game of golf at Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort on Monday.
He was joined by good friend, special guest and champion Australian Test Cricketer of yesteryear, fishing enthusiast Merv Hughes whose ‘Come Fishing’ television film crew was in action last weekend.
Merv attended his 18th Yamaha Cod Classic in Mulwala and loved everything about it. “It was fantastic,” he said, “near record numbers, ten boats given away.
“It’s a very well organised event, well run. Mulwala Football Netball Club should be proud of their Tony Bennett and the community proud of both.”
Another special guest, Dean Turner, was attending his first Yamaha Cod Classic in Mulwala. The highly talented golfer from Heidelberg also displayed instant talent at fishing by catching some cod last weekend.
“Tony’s a champion,” he said. “The support he has from the community is amazing. And people in the country are amazing community hosts. It showed again last weekend.”
