It’s a whopper: Brendan Leitch is all smiles with his 1.21m Murray cod, which was measured and safely returned to the Goulburn River.
Brendan Leitch’s first crack at the Toolamba Easter Fishing Classic on Good Friday paid off, after he hauled in a winning 1.21m Murray cod.
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The Mooroopna fisherman was camping near Toolamba and was on the water by 6.30am.
He put some chicken breast on a hook and cast into the murky water.
“It probably took 20 minutes to land, but it wasn’t until near the end when it got closer to the boat that it put a real bend in the rod,” Mr Leitch said.
A quick photo and measurement later the massive cod was back in the water and swimming off to fight another day.
“My main concern was getting it back in the water, but it went well, there was a big kick and tail splash and I got wet,” Mr Leitch said.
Mr Leitch said he had been fishing since he could walk but had never caught a cod anywhere near as big.
Winning the prize for biggest fish was a bonus.
“That is the fish of a lifetime for me, I’ve been trying for years to land one,” Mr Leitch said.
Long story: The monster cod.
A cod measuring 1.03m was caught soon after by Jamie McNair on the same stretch of river.
Organisers said they were the biggest two cod caught ever in the 16 years the competition has been held.
More than 160 kids and adults took part in the event, with overall winner Trevor Price generously sharing part of his $2000 prize money with Mr Leitch and Mr McNair.
Junior winners were Patrick Meloury, Angel Price, Flynn Clarke and Anthony Meloury with plenty of other prizes handed out, and a Easter egg hunt adding to the family-friendly vibe.
A Good Friday night meal — fittingly — of fish, salad and pasta was attended by about 250 people, entertained by the band Business As Usual.
“After two years (of COVID restrictions) it was lovely to be able to hold our very popular annual event once again,” organiser Sally Moseley said.
“It was a great family camping Easter weekend had by all — on or off the river.”
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