2023 Great Northern Cod Nationals

The Great Northern Cod Nationals tournament has been run and won at Lake Mulwala. 90 of Australia’s premier cod fishos gathered from as far afield as Qld and Tasmania to compete in the event, hosted by the Mulwala Football Netball Club.

The Cod Nationals is fished over four days, with five varied fishing sessions to challenge all anglers. ‘Scoping’ was only allowed during the first two sessions.

The red-hot favourites, Derek and Kade Blow of Bendigo, fished extremely well throughout the five sessions to blitz the field. In the three weeks before the Nationals, Derek and Kade had won the Da$h 4 Ca$h, Central Vic Lures Casters, and His & Hers Partners Classic events, all held on Lake Mulwala. Their top form was recognised on the first night when the team auctions/Calcutta got underway. The usual favourites went for some good prices, but it was the Blows, Team KD Fishing attracting a bid of $3500 that went for top dollar. The winners of the previous three Nationals – Steve and Thomas Pinter –were clear second favourites, and attracted a bid of $2000 during the team auctions.

DAY 1 – SPINNERBAITS

The comp got underway with perfect weather conditions. Day 1 saw competitors only allowed to use spinnerbaits, and any legal size Murray cod caught on a Bassman Spinnerbait earned bonus points. On days 1 and 2 only, teams were also allowed to use ‘scope’ technology.

Over 200 50cm+ cod were captured for the day. Glen Joyce (Team Coddog) landed the biggest one, coming in at a healthy 72.6cm.

Ultimately it was the pairing of Brad Murray and Daniel Mutch (Mutchy’s Contracting) who took overall honours for the day, thanks to their use of their multiplier bonus. 2nd place was filled by Anthony Pavlou and Mike Haley (Team Venom), again thanks to their use of their multiplier bonus. Derek and Kade Blow (Team KD Fishing) fished extremely well to finish in 3rd.

To round out the evening, the traditional ‘Sportsman’s Night’ was conducted with a couple of well-known guests.

Appearing were Peter ‘Buzz’ Bosustow, ex Carlton footy legend, and Mark ‘Jacko’ Jackson, AFL personality. They kept everyone entertained with tales of their escapades.

DAY 2 – HARDBODIES

On Day 2 the conditions were a fair bit breezier, and close to 140 cod were landed. Team KD Fishing had their multiplier bonus chosen for this day, and they fished very well to maximise its use and score a swag of points. To top things off, Kade managed to land an 80.9cm cod, taking out largest fish for the day also.

Peter Pejkovic and Damian ‘Mr Whippy’ Scholten fished very well, taking out 2nd place, whilst Steve and Thomas Pinter (Black Widow) kept the pressure on the leaders with a solid 3rd place effort.

Thursday night saw a casual evening held with competitors gathering to swap a few yarns and enjoy the Great Northern party night.

DAY 3 – MORNING

This session was fished under a ‘Dash 4 Cash’ format, with the use of swimbaits and plastics only. To make things a bit harder, all scopes were now not allowed to be used for the rest of the event.

Fish numbers were reduced due to the fishing style, but there were still some nice ones caught. There was a full set of Bone Focus lures up for grabs for whoever caught the largest cod on one of the new Bone Focus colours. Kade Blow took out this award with his 71.2cm fish, which was the biggest for the day.

Lance Curry and Zac Jury (Curry Munchers) had a brilliant morning’s fishing and took out 1st place, and Ian and Matt Rogers finished in 2nd. Brad Murray and Daniel Mutch kept the pressure on the boys at the top of the tree, finishing in 3rd place.

DAY 3 – AFTERNOON

The arvo session only let competitors use lures that were manufactured by the event sponsors. It was wonderful to see a few teams pop up at the top of the list who had not featured prominently in the past. Gage Wright and Kane Bolwell (Spin Wright Lures) took the winner’s cheque, followed by crowd favourites James and Helen McGhee, thanks to Helen’s efforts of four cod for the afternoon.

3rd place was taken out by the improving duo of Shane Melrose and Jessy Pinter (Central Vic Lure Casters).

The Venom Rods ANZAC Memorial Award trophy was presented to the most consistent team over the two sessions. This was awarded on countback to Derek and Kade Blow just ahead of Steve and Thomas Pinter.

Friday night saw the running of the ever-popular Trident Group Fishing Triathlon and games night. Scenes were hilarious as teams raced each other in joined plank race, followed by a few extra activities and finishing with a casting comp.

DAY 4 – ANY LURE

The final day got underway with the chasing pack hoping for a miracle to beat the runaway leaders – KD Fishing. Fishing well on the final day was the ambition for