2024 Cod Classic - "25th Anniversary Special"
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August, 2025
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the 2024 Yamaha Cod Classic proved once again that it’s by far and away Australia’s most popular freshwater fishing event. After a couple of years of Covid that couldn’t break the events continuation plus the follow up floods of 2022, the Cod Classic continued its resurgence with 2263 competitors registering to take part. All was in readiness for fisho’s to try and tempt a mighty green fish at “the Home of the Murray Cod – Lake Mulwala”.
Gates opened 4pm Friday afternoon underneath overcast skies with a bit of rain predicted to hit at some stage in the evening. With the Yamaha Kids Fun Motorbikes, 20+ trade stalls, food vendors, the first round of the Australian Pro Casting Championships and “Cod Talk” featuring Stephen Booth, Thomas “The Captain” Pinter and Lubin Pfeifer, participants had an array of things going on to keep themselves entertained into the evening. BUT, in between this, one mighty fierce storm hit coming from nowhere and catching all by surprise. Exhibitors and food vendors set up on the oval coped it the worst with most unfortunately losing their gazeboes in an instant. After half an hour or so of torrential rain and 100kph+ winds, things returned to normal, and the show continued!
After the event briefing, the first of the lucky door prize boats was drawn. The lucky winner ended up being Dylan McCallum of Tocumwal. Winners had to be present. It was found out later that the first fella (from Culcairn) who had his name drawn out was settled in well at the Ski Club!
Saturday’s fishing conditions proved amazing with light winds and plenty of sun for the entirety of the day. Reports suggested that good numbers of Cod were being caught but only at days end when it was “fish verification time” would we know who had caught what? It was Brodie Hartford who presented a beautiful photo of a 118.1cm Cod who was going to have a nervous night’s sleep as he was the one to catch the following day.
Saturday night saw all competitors plus many other onlookers converge on the Mulwala Football Ground for all the lucky door and “Mega Raffle” prize draws. The first major boating package winner on Saturday night was Brian Longhurst of Yarrawonga who took out the “Mega Raffle”. Jason Wishart of Belmont was next up to enjoy the thrills of winning a Cod Classic boating package as his number was lucky enough to come up for the major lucky door prize.
Sunday’s fishing conditions were a bit breezy and only the hardened headed out. Most others packed up camp and readied themselves for the fishing presentations. Brodie Hartford’s 118.1cm monster managed to hang on and help him take out the “Adult Champion Angler” title. For the juniors, young Oscar Harvey presented an 85.9cm specimen to take top honours. Peter Minchin’s 58.4cm Yella earnt him top honours in this section whilst local gun, Jack Hewat boated a 56.9cm Yella to take out the junior section. Neville Gillett thought he had a monster Cod on his line, but it ended up being an 85cm Carp! This was the longest in the Carp section. Matt Rogers took out his fourth “Australian Canoe & Kayak Cod Fishing Champion” title landing a 74.5cm Cod from his yak.
All fishing sections winners were presented with their goods followed by many “Catch & Release” prizes for those who had caught good fish. Luke Hughes of Werribee was the lucky winner of the Open Carp prize draw boat whilst Brian Yanner of Golden Square took home the adults “Catch & Release” Murray Cod boating package.
In total, fish numbers were slightly down on 2023 with 641 Cod measuring more than 55cms, 47 Golden Perch measuring 45cm+ and 1240 Carp were caught.
A huge thank you goes out to our many sponsors and volunteers who support the Cod Classic. Your assistance is appreciated; we could not do without you. The biggest thanks of all must go to all our loyal competitors who have supported the Cod Classic over the past 25 years. You have been the ones who have made this into Australia’s largest and most popular freshwater fishing event. We look forward to seeing you at the 26th Cod Classic, December 5-7, 2025.
Cheers, Tony Bennett, 2024 Cod Classic Event Director, Mulwala Football Netball Club.