With an unrivalled line-up of outdoor activities, demonstrations and celebrities, the 2014 National 4x4 Outdoors Show and Fishing & Boating Expo on August 22-24 at the Melbourne Showgrounds promises to be the premier event for fishing, boating and outdoor enthusiasts.

Over 200 exhibitors are confirmed, including the largest number of boating and tackle exhibitors in years, showcasing everything from entry level tinnies to serious plate aluminium fishing boats, marine electronics, fishing gear and accessories to chandlery and much more!

Action Kayak, CH Marine, Port Phillip Boating Centre, Regal Marine and Tackleworld are just some of the big names locked in to display their latest, greatest and newest products.

In his only Melbourne Show appearances this year, fishing legend and host of television’s iFish programme, Paul Worsteling will be hosting the Tackleworld Fishing Stage, featuring a massive new line-up of special guests and industry experts.

All areas of fishing will be discussed including where to fish, tackle to use, Q&A sessions with your favourite fishing personalities and the best advice on what fish you can catch where.

Mick McKay, the current Australian Fly Fishing Champion will also be making appearances on stage.

Visitors can also learn the tricks of the trade in the casting area hosted by the Yarra Valley Fly Fishing team with ‘how to’ lessons in casting and fly tying, whilst testing out the latest rods and accessories.

People of all ages and capabilities will be able to learn and perfect their fishing techniques with the Yamaha Supertank and regular casting classes locked in.

The Rig Master Tackle’s Fishing Simulator will bring out the competitive nature in all fishermen men and women out there, with regular competitions to be run across the three days of the Show and over $3,000 in prizes up for grabs.

New to the Show for 2014, is the all-new BBQ Campfire Cooking Corner presented by The XXXX Anglers, with Spida and Sheree Everitt from The Great Australian Doorstep cooking up a storm on the BBQs in master-classes on how to cook, what to cook and what you need for your next trip.

The aptly named Action Arena will feature Matt Schubring of Crusty Demons fame thrilling the crowd with his FMX talent while members of the Cross Country Drivers Association will push their skills and their vehicles to the limit in the thrilling 4x4 time trials.

Other crowd pleasers in the Arena, featuring 360 degree seating, will be shows and rides from Ragged Edge rock crawlers, Stealth electric bikes, Black Jack the monster truck and ATVs.

Inside the Action Arena, the XXXX Retreat will feature live open-air performances from Australian rock music legends – with Mark Seymour of Hunters and Collectors fame and Ross Wilson, fresh from his National tour as the front man for Mondo Rock to take to the stage.

Mark Seymour and his band will be appearing at 1pm on the Saturday, while crowds on the Sunday will be treated to the talents of Ross Wilson and his acoustic four piece band.

The action continues nearby with jaw dropping displays from Australia’s leading motorcycle stunt riding champion, Lukey Luke and Australia’s most famous precision driving team, Isuzu UTE’s Team D-MAX.

New to the National 4x4 Outdoors Show is the 4WD Proving Ground, a purpose built track, where visitors can not only test the latest 4WD vehicles with professional drivers on hand to answer questions, but experience a range of driver education demonstrations ranging from safe towing to recovery and rescue.

Presented by Rick O’Brien and the team from Channel 10’s Offroad Adventure Show, the 4WD Proving Ground will feature a variety of surfaces simulating being off the beaten track including a sand trap, water crossing and compant rock segment along with an artificial steep hill.

Appearing exclusively at the National 4x4 Outdoors Show and Fishing & Boating Expo will be John “Roothy” Rooth, arguably the most recognised face of 4WDing in Australia, a gregarious character with plenty of tales.

With almost a million kilometres on the clock, Roothy will share stories of his favourite adventures on the Waeco Outback Stage and will also conduct meet and greet sessions and sign autographs from his Unlock Australia stand.

The Waeco Outback Stage will also host fellow big-name stars including Carlisle Rogers from 4WD Touring Australia and Terrain Tamer’s head engineer Allan Gray, with the full timetable available on the Show’s website in August.

In a special treat for visitors, Chris ‘Brolga’ Barnes, Kangaroo Dundee himself will be making his Melbourne Show debut, sharing stories and information on his efforts to save one half of our national coat of arms.

Adventurer travellers, Chris and Elayne Clash will sharing tales of their travels across the world – over 300,000 kilometres, 130 countries in their homemade buggy Victory, there’s sure to be plenty!

Another drawcard for visitors will be the major prize with an Isuzu MU-X LS-M off-roader to be given away, fully loaded with products and accessories from Opposite Lock, Waeco, Anaconda, iTechworld and many more exhibitors.

Every visitor who purchases tickets online via the Show App or website will automatically go in the $60,000 major prize draw, with visitors at the Show able to enter by submitting their details at the iPad entry stations.

The 2014 National 4x4 Outdoors Show and Fishing & Boating Expo, August 22-24 at the Melbourne Showgrounds is the place to be for any outdoor enthusiast! Get your tickets now via www.4x4show.com.au.

Capacity Sports will be returning to the 4x4 Show this year and will have a full range of Native Watercraft pedal and paddle kayaks on display. They are particularly excited to have the New Slayer 13 Propel at the show (see page 86 and 87 for a full review). The addition of the Propel system to the Slayer (only pedal system that allows you to move backwards or forwards) has many kayak anglers chomping at the bit to give it a try.

The range on display is not limited to the top end of town, they will also have entry level kayaks and accessories for those people keen to just get out on the water and enjoy everything that a kayak has to offer.

Come and see the team from Capacity sports for all of your kayaking needs at this years show.

This year AFN Fishing & Outdoors will be exhibiting in the Grand Pavilion - Stand G804 and also in Hall 1 - Stand A48.

Come feel, touch and buy some great new products. We will have our new range of Solar Tubes which won Best Clothing at the AFTA Awards. Our Solar Tubes come in 7 brilliant designs and are the perfect head and neck protection from the sun.

The Hit at this Show will be our Talking Stubby Holders. Play tricks on your mates and record any message you want in your own personalised Stubby Cooler! You will have hours of fun recording your own message. Let your friends know who belongs to that drink.

Also on display is our new and exciting range of fishing and camo giftware, great deals on the new iON Action Cameras, as well as a full range of RPR. Also plenty of our popular fishing, cooking, 4WD and camping books, maps and DVDs, Casio watches, fishing and camping accessories along with our dog protection hunting gear.

There is something for everyone. Pop in and see our friendly staff who will be waiting to serve you.

Australia’s richest freshwater fishing tournament and most eagerly awaited social event on the fishing calendar, the 2014 Yamaha Cod Classic and Wilson Slick Back Lure’s Junior Cod Classic is drawing near. December 5-7 will see Lake Mulwala come alive with an expected 3,000+ anglers.

Organisation is well under way for the 15th Cod Classic. This year a staggering prize pool that totals in excess of $150,000 including a Ford vehicle and seven boating packages will be up for grabs. Incredibly, 83 boating packages will have been given away through the Cod Classic after this year.

The Fishing & Outdoors Expo will be a main feature with the chance to grab a bargain not to be missed. Other popular parts of the competition include iconic entertainer Flathead Fred for the juniors, Cod Talk with Rod ‘Codmac’ McKenzie and Gus Storer, and the Samurai Rods Australian Pro Casting Championships. The Old Town Australian Canoe & Kayak Cod Fishing Championships enters its fourth year as well. Catering for the new breed of fisherman who chose to fish from either a canoe and kayak, this event is a must for those who chose paddle and peddle over petrol and power.

Designed for the family with all levels of fishing skills catered for, everybody has a chance of winning one of the many great prizes on offer whether using bait or lures. The majority of prizes are randomly drawn with you not having to catch a fish to be a winner! Those who are lucky enough to register either a legal size Murray cod or golden perch go into additional draws to win extra great prizes. There will be over 1,500 prizes (adults) and all juniors will receive several prizes. A Ford ute, boating packages, sounders, canoes, kayaks, fishing trips, holidays, fishing gear, camping equipment and clothing just to name some of the gear lucky anglers will go home with shows just how massive the prize pool really is at the Cod Classic.

Entry fee is $90 for adults and $40 for juniors. This includes four meals, souvenir stubby holder, a free ticket in major boat raffle, Wilson Slickback lure and Bassman Spinnerbait (for the kids), entry into 1,000’s of lucky door prize draws and the promise of a great weekend.

You would be crazy to miss this great weekend in Yarrawonga/Mulwala and the chance to catch a legend on the twin towns’ famous cod fishing ground, Lake Mulwala.

For more information check out www.codclassic.com.au or drop by the stand at the National 4x4 Outdoors Show and Fishing & Boating Expo where you can pick up a raffle ticket as well.

The 2014 National 4x4 Outdoors Show and Fishing & Boating Expo will be another fantastic event with bargains galore, plenty to see and plenty to do. Of you're in the market for fishing tackle, a new boat, kayaks and fishy accessories, drop in and have a look around. It’ll be a show not to miss.