2025 Yamaha Cod Classic – Lake Mulwala Where else would you want to be?

The 2025 Yamaha Cod Classic proved once again that it’s by far and away Australia’s most popular freshwater fishing event. After a complete “scoping ban” was implemented for the 2025 event and beyond, competitor numbers increased slightly on 2024 with 2277 anglers registering. Up for grabs was over $100K in prizes including five boating packages.

Gates opened 4pm Friday afternoon with the temperature hovering around the 40-degree mark. There was a bit of wind about, but it had nothing on its 2024 performance! With the Yamaha Kids Fun Motorbikes, Ford showing off their Super Duty Ute for one of the first times in country Vic, 20+ trade stalls, food vendors, the Australian Pro Casting Championships and “Cod Talk” featuring Merv Hughes, Robbie Alexander & Lubin Pfeifer, participants had many things to keep themselves entertained into the evening.

After the event briefing, the first of the lucky door prize boats was drawn. The lucky winner was Russell Hardie of Yabba South. A great start to Russell’s weekend.

 Saturday’s fishing conditions were predicted to be favourable for the morning with winds expected to increase into the afternoon. The weather man was spot on. It was hard to gauge if the Cod were going to play the game but the Carp were certainly up and about. A constant stream of “Mud Marlin” were being taken to the collection stations well into the afternoon. When the fish (Cod & Yella’s) verification marshals opened for business at 6.30pm, a steady stream of anglers presented showing that the lake fished extremely well. It was Trent Russell who presented a great photo of a 113.5cm monster Cod. Trent was going to be the one to catch come Sunday morning. He caught this on a cast Bassman spinnerbait. Young lad Billy Bosio was the junior leader with a fine 91.4cm Cod his reward for a day in the boat.

Saturday night saw an estimated 3000+ competitors and onlookers converge on the Mulwala Football Ground for all the lucky door and “Mega Raffle” prize draws. The first boating package winner on Saturday night was Gavin Clarke of Cairnlea who took out the “Mega Raffle”. Greg Lowe of Cobar was next up to enjoy the thrills of winning a Cod Classic boating package as his number came out for the major lucky door prize. Ironically, this was a “re-draw” as the first winner was elsewhere for the evening?? He too was also from Cobar!

 Sunday’s fishing conditions were a bit breezy, but the majority headed out once again to try and make an impression on the leaders. Trent Russell’s 113.5cm beauty was not headed and help him take out the “Adult Champion Angler” title. For the juniors, young Alexander Kristo presented a 93cm specimen to take top honours. Dale Dominick’s 55.5cm Yella earnt him top honours in the Adult section whilst young Gus Tesoriero’s 56.9cm Yella easily claimed the Junior title but also proved to be the biggest Yella for the weekend. Another junior who performed well was Jimmy Trembath. Jimmy’s 85cm Carp took overall honours in the Open Carp section.

All fishing sections winners were presented with their goods followed by many “Catch & Release” prizes for those who had caught good fish. Another highlight was junior Riley Read taking home the Open Carp prize draw boat. His ticket was drawn from 920 entries. Luke Apap capped of a great weekend and took home the adults “Catch & Release” Murray Cod boating package.

In total, Cod numbers were well up on 2024 with 828 Cod measuring 55cms+ being recorded. 31 Golden Perch measuring 45cm+ and 920 Carp were also caught.

A huge thank you goes out to our many sponsors 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 26 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 27^th Cod Classic, December 4-6, 2026.  

Cheers, Tony Bennett, 2025 Cod Classic Event Director, Mulwala Football Netball Club.