THE ANNUAL Bulahdelah Bass Bash has returned with a vengeance for the 28th iteration of the event.

After a three year break due to COVID and floods it was finally time to fish and this year’s events didn’t disappoint.

This year the event was shortened, with the Bass Bash Ball held on the Friday night at the Bulahdelah Bowling Club.

The ecstatic crowd lapped up the music and enjoyed the long awaited social gathering.

The next morning, fishers were up at the crack of dawn to wet their lines in the rivers and lakes around Bulahdelah.

With near perfect weather 182 fishers registered to try their luck at catching the big one.

A total of 84 legal sized fish were presented for weigh-in with twelve eels also caught.

Bulahdelah Fishing Club President Carrall remarked that “the quality of the fish was better than average”.

“Most of the fish that came over the scales were better than previous years,” said Mr Carrall.

Bass, Bream and Mullet were the most predominant species presented.

The biggest Bass presented was by Jay Roseitti at 1.715kgs.

Other notable catches of Bream were in the Woman’s division by Carol Carrall at 1.26ks and in the Juniors by Henry Hancock at 1.06kgs.

“I’ve been fishing in the contest for many years and I’m very excited to win the trophy and I’ll be back next year to defend my title,” Jay Roseitti told Myall Coast NOTA.

This event not only gives the opportunity for people to meet, have some fun and share their fishing experiences with each other but serves a greater purpose.

Being one of the largest fresh water fishing contests in NSW, this being a catch and release event allows the organisers to gauge how the Bass in the river are developing and what needs to be done in the future to preserve the species.

Each year the money raised from the event goes towards purchasing new Bass fingerlings to restock the Myall and Crawford Rivers so there will be fish for years to come.

This is done in conjunction with the Department of Primary industries who match the Fishing Club’s contribution.

A Bass fingerling release is planned for later this year.

It’s not only about Australian Bass but also what other species are caught which gives them an idea of what is available in the local rivers.

The organisers would like to thank the numerous sponsors for making this event happen.

Photographs of the fish caught on the day and all the winners can be found on the Bulahdelah Fishing Club Facebook page.

By John SAHYOUN