More than 2,200 keen fishos were out in full force on Lake Mulwala for the 26th Yamaha Cod Classic last weekend.
The ever-popular Yamaha Cod Classic has once again been hailed as a major success, with keen anglers flocking to Lake Mulwala from Friday, December 5, to Sunday, December 7.
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The 26th running of the annual event, hosted by the Mulwala Football Netball Club, proved a highlight for the club despite the heat on Friday, with competition picking up pace on Saturday.
Lonsdale Reserve Oval was a hive of activity, complemented by fishing from Bundalong to Yarrawonga/Mulwala and below the weir. Anglers and their families from across Australia enjoyed the three days of fishing.
“The event went off as good as it could, and the fishing was better than expected,” event organiser Tony Bennett told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“It was great to see some familiar faces, along with new participants joining the event.”
Alexander Kristo from Point Cook was the Junior Champions of Champions after catching a 93cm Cod and pictured receiving his award with Ted Barber.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
This year’s event attracted 1,864 adults and 413 children, for a total of 2,277 anglers. Bennett estimated that overall attendance reached between 3,000 and 4,000 people.
Lonsdale Reserve was packed on Friday and Saturday evenings, with guests enjoying talks from expert speakers.
Fishing highlights included 828 legal-sized Murray Cod and 31 Yellowbelly caught and released, while 920 carp were reeled in and removed from the lake during the competition.
The largest Cod of the senior competition was 113.5cm, caught by Trent Russell. Second place went to Dan Young with a 98.8cm Cod, followed by Thomas Pinter (95cm) and Thomas Robinson (94.2cm).
The biggest Yellowbelly measured 55.3cm and was caught by Dale Domonick.
A monster 85cm Carp was caught by Jimmy Trembath.
In the junior competition, Alexander Kristo took out the top spot with a 93cm Cod. Other notable catches included Billy Bosio (91.4cm), Haylee Soszynski (85.1cm), and Bradley Nelson (78.1cm).
The largest Yellowbelly in the junior division, measuring 56.9cm, was caught by Gus Tesoriero.
The Yamaha Cod Classic remains Australia’s largest inland fishing competition. Once again, champion Australian Test cricketer and fishing enthusiast Merv Hughes attended, describing the event as “massive.”
“It’s a wonderful event, very well organised, and anglers absolutely love it,” Merv said.
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