It’s on again, the 2004 Yamaha Cod Classic – Australia’s richest freshwater fishing competition.

Organisation is well underway for the 2004 Yamaha Cod Classic with the guarantee of a great weekend for all who participate. With an increase to over $80,000 in prizes to giveaway, including four boat, motor and trailer packages, you would have to be crazy to miss it! December 4-5 will see Lake Mulwala and the Murray River come alive with an estimated 800 boats and over 2000 competitors taking part.

Due to popular demand, the golden perch section will be brought back in with the competition being total catch and release for all native fish – Murray cod and golden perch.

Another exciting addition to this year’s competition is that there will be a boat, motor and trailer package given away to somebody who catches a European carp. Both adult and junior competitors have the chance to win this set-up. All you have to do to win boat package number four is catch a carp, bring it in to one of the many measuring stations positioned around the lake or river and you’ll receive a ticket into the draw regardless of its size. The idea of this is to try and help rid Lake Mulwala of this unwanted pest.

As the competition continues to grow, the organising committee strives to improve on the previous year’s event. This year will see more changes including changing the competition name from the ‘Cod Opening Classic’ to the ‘Cod Classic’ (for marketing purposes), a larger trade display, reintroducing the golden perch section, adding an extra boat for the European carp section, having approximately 30 roving marshals on the lake that will measure native fish only, increased range of merchandise and extra seating.

Many of the popular features will remain including Flathead Fred for the juniors, briefings and catch and release clinics hourly on Friday night, all registrations and meals to take place at the Mulwala football ground, all prize presentations to be on the Saturday night leaving only the fishing sections to be presented on the Sunday and the Mulwala Water Ski Club Pro and Amateur Casting Championships. The amateur casting qualifying session will be held Saturday afternoon at the Mulwala Water Ski Club with the final shoot-out taking place Saturday night.

With many great sponsors and more coming onboard every day, there will be over 1200 prizes (adults) and every junior will win a prize. Boat, motor, trailer packages, sounders, interstate guided fishing tours, holidays, fishing gear, camping equipment and clothing just to name a few. All prizes will be distributed Saturday night through a raffle draw based on your competitor registration number.

Entry for the competition is $60 for adults and $20 for juniors. This includes four meals, souvenir stubby holder, Hooksafe, boat measuring sticker, one free ticket in our major raffle, entry into hundreds of lucky door prize draws and the promise of a great weekend.

For more information, or to be added to the mailing list, contact Tony or Vanessa Bennett, (03) 5744 1667.