Murrabit Cod Challenge 2025

The Murrabit Football & Netball Club held their annual Murrabit Cod Challenge fishing event over the weekend of the 14th-16th of March. Like previous years entries were capped at 300 adult tickets. This year they were joined by 56 keen juniors. 100% run by local volunteers within the club, the event is the club's biggest fundraiser for the year.

Mother nature this year turned on some extremely hot weather, plenty of water and sunscreen were a must on the river. Despite the extreme heat competitors didn't seem phased with plenty opting for a refreshing dip or finding a shady spot to fish.

This year's catches were slightly down from previous years with a total of 11 legal size Murray Cod caught over 55 cm and 7 Yellow Belly over 30 cm measured. Being a catch and release event all native fish were released back into the water.

The lucky winner of the major raffle, a 399 Stacer Proline Boat, 25 HP 4-Stroke Yamaha Motor and Trailer valued at $17,000 was won by Hayden Bladier of Cardigan Village in Victoria. Second raffle prize winner was originally won by Mick Woods but his generosity saw a redraw and the engel portable fridge/freezer went home to Grovedale with Lindsay Dyer. Third prize winner Stephen Kardinaal from Maffra took home an electric boat motor. The largest group of competitors this year was won by NFH Fishing with a whopping 27 competitors, taking home $500.

Event organisers were happy with the overall running, after years of experience they only continue to improve. Plenty of positive feedback flooded in across the weekend on how well it's catered for and the hospitality given from the club volunteers. From watching the footy on the big screen Friday night, the newly added four tap beer bar, Kez’s coffee van, and the water misters keeping everyone outside cool were a few noted feedbacks.

The event would not be possible without the support of their generous sponsors in Molin’s Motorcycle & Marine, Murrabit Trading, Blue Sky Swan Hill, Engel, Hook’em Fishing, Johnson’s Auto Marine & Caravan Centre, Kj’s Outdoor & Marine.