2023 Hay Fishing Classic

2023 Hay Fishing Classic weekend was bigger and better than ever. Showcasing $20,000 in major entry prizes, $1000 Early Bird Prize, and $10,000 in competition prizes, anglers came out in droves. Lines went in the water from 6am Saturday, between Sturt’s Mark Tree and Hay Weir.

Sandy Point was alive well into Saturday Night, with Smokin’ Gum Band providing amazing entertainment, and a mouth-watering roast dinner on offer. Another game changer was not having to fish, or even be present in order to be in the running for major prizes.

A whopping total of 797 legal native fish were caught. A horseshoe was reeled in, among many fish, and here’s hoping that it provided extra luck to whomever reeled it in.

Longest yellow belly caught was 50cm, longest Murray Cod was 80cm, and the most legal native fish caught by one person was four.

In the Junior Division, longest Murray Cod was 70cm, and most carp was 24.

A huge and envious bounty of prizes were up for grabs, main prize being 399 Stacer Boat with 25hp Yamaha Motor & Trailer, which was reeled in by a lucky Kynan Headon.

Competition Winners: Ron Kocaj won Open Longest Murray Cod, reeling one in at 91cm. Tori Hern won Open Most Native, with a staggering 7 Fish. Jade Doidge won Junior Longest Murray Cod, pulling in one at 70cm.

Eddy Ianson won Junior Carp, scoring one 53cm long.

Most unusual catch went to Robert Jones, with him skilfully reeling in a cricket bat.

Raffle for entering fish went to Ken Jubb, who scored a fish finder.

In the major prizes, Bendan Dickinson scored second prize, the four night, 10 person stay at Ulladulla’s Bawley Point.

Raymond Cowe won the third prize, the two night, four people fishing charter holiday at Bermagui, and Jeremiah Suitor and Flynn Griffiths won Hikoki sets.

Felicity Maynard will be cooking up a storm on her new Webber, while Jack Perrignon walked away with the flat screen TV. Tom Gatsby paddled away in the Kayak, while David Doidge won the chainsaw.

Dick van Buuren won the lawn mower pack, and Liam Whitbourne will be chilling out with his new 42 litre portable fridge freezer.

Meanwhile James Bradford will be toasting Hay Fishing Classic for the foreseeable future, walking away with his weight in beer.

Congratulations to all of the winners. Like any event, many man-hours and dedicated volunteer work go into the preparation and implementation of such events.

Hay Fishing Classic brings many keen visitors to our town, and benefits the town in many ways.