15/12/2025
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 how many Cod were being caught but there was a steady stream of carp being presented to the collection stations well into the afternoon. When the fish 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 who was going to be the one to catch come Sunday morning. Trent 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 27th Cod Classic, December 4-6, 2026.
Cheers, Tony Bennett, 2025 Cod Classic Event Director, Mulwala Football Netball Club.
2025 Cod Classic - Stats, Facts & Figures
Competitors –
1864 Adult
413 Junior
Total – 2277
Boat Winners
Cod C & R – Luke Apap, Caroline Springs
Carp Boat – Riley Reed, Axedale
Fri Adult Lucky Door – Russell Hardie, Yabba North
Sat Adult Lucky Door – Greg Lowe, Cobar
Mega Raffle – Gavin Clarke, Cairnlea
Fish Numbers
828 legal sized Murray Cod -
Adults 740
Juniors 88
536 @ 55cm-60cm,
161 @ 60-65cm,
59 @ 65-70cm,
56 @ 70-80cm,
8 @ 80-90cm,
8 @ 90-100cm,
1 @ 1mtr+
31 Golden Perch measuring 45cm and bigger
920 Carp
Longest Cod Adult –
Trent Russell 113.5cm caught on a cast Bassman Spinnerbait
Junior – Alexander Kristo 93cms
Longest Yella Adult –
Dale Dominick 55.5cms
Junior – Gus Tesoriero 56.9cms
Longest Carp (Open Section) Jimmy Trembath (4 years old ) 85cms
Murray Cod Fish Stats (As indicated on fully complete catch cards)
828 Caught & Released
Adults 740
Junior 88
Most Productive Methods –
Bait 377
Lures / Spinnerbaits 359
Unidentified Bait / Lure or Non-Sponsors Lure 92
Breakdown –
Bait 377 - Cheese 189 Chicken 89 Bardi’s 55 Worms 20 Yabby 14 Shrimp 4 Sausage 4 Dim Sim 1 Duck! 1
Sponsors Lures / Spinnerbaits 359 –
Bassman 99 Stumpjumper 87 Spin Wright 76 Predator 14 TT’s 14 Old Mate 11 Bogan SB 9 Kuttafurra 9 Pimp Daddy 9 AC’s 7 Wilsons / Zerek 6 Gidgee 6 Codger 3 Lighthouse 3 Halco 3 Bewa 2 Pieca 1
Golden Perch Fish Stats (As indicated on fully complete catch cards)
31 Caught & Released measuring in excess of 45cm_+
Most Productive Methods – Bait 17 Lures / Spinnerbaits 9 Unidentified Bait / Lure / Non-Sponsors Lure 5
Breakdown – Bait - Worms 7 Yabby 5 Bardi 4 Shrimp 1
Sponsors Lures / Spinnerbaits – Stumpjumper 4 Bassman 2 Wilson / Zerek 2 AC 1
European Carp – 920 Carp were caught & removed.
