Named ‘The Cod Father’, if caught during the event the fish will earn the lucky angler a $20,000 cash prize.
If caught outside the event’s official fishing times the angler will only receive $1000.
While the exact location of the catch is kept secret, Fishing Club treasurer Val Kairl said the fish was caught within the event’s fishing boundaries.
She said the prize cod is also tagged at least two weeks before the classic to give the fish time to settle back into things.
‘‘We give the fish time to have a bit of a sulk before it is up and feeding again, ready for the catch at the time of the competition.’’
The tagged cod prize was introduced to the annual Deniliquin Fishing Classic in 2016.
A tagged cod has never been caught in that time, leaving anglers wondering if this year may just be the year they snag the golden prize.
Almost 300 anglers have already registered for the classic, which will run from next Friday, February 18 to Sunday, February 20.
Early bird registration for the event closes tomorrow.
While entries will still be accepted right up until the final day of fishing, anyone who takes advantage of the early bird period will have an extra chance to go home with a boat package.
The early bird prize is a Digger 340 punt, with Yamaha F5 4 stroke engine, rigging and 4.3 trailer, valued at $7550.
It will be drawn at the family fun night next Saturday at Classic HQ — the Deniliquin RSL Club.
Also drawn on the Saturday night will be the $5 boat raffle. The winner will go home with a $13,950 Dundee 390 boat with Yamaha F25 4 stroke engine, rigging and 4.4 trailer.
A second Digger 340 punt with Yamaha engine and second Dundee 380 boat, engine and trailer package will be given away on the Sunday, as the junior and adult lucky entry prizes respectively.
The boats form part of the mega pool of prizes available during the weekend, valued at over $100,000.
In addition to fishing competition prizes, this includes a $10,000 Prizearama draw at the Deniliquin RSL Club next Friday night.
Visit www.denifishingclasssic.com.au for more information, or to register.
