🎣 EVANS HEAD FISHING CLASSIC – ADULTS DAY 4 RECAP
🛋️ “The One Where Everyone Hooks a Monster”
If Day 4 of the Evans Head Fishing Classic had a theme song, it would’ve been a cross between the Seinfeld slap bass and the Full House “everywhere you look” harmony—because everywhere you looked, someone was landing a trophy fish and posing like they’d just finished the final scene of Saved By the Bell.
Over in AJ-Sambo, Gordon Russell pulled a Cheers-style move—quiet regular, always delivers—taking the top spot with a 685mm catch that had Norm saying, “That’s how you do it.” Meanwhile, in blackfish, Bernard Richter put in a very Frasier-esque clinical performance with a 413mm fish, edging out Neil Lollback (403mm) and Ryan Kernaghan (400mm), both sounding like Kramer busting through the door with their last-minute entries.
The bream-tarwhine field was a bit of a Fresh Prince moment—Shantell Little showed up in style with a 418mm fish, while Jake Fowler and Michael Vasta tied at 400mm, giving off strong Carlton-vibes: precise, well-dressed, and just missing the dance moves.
The dart division was like watching Step by Step—family rivalry and close scores. Bernard Richter pulled a 428mm dart, just edging out Dylan Carbery and Ryan Kernaghan, both on 425mm. Tight, awkward, and funny in all the right ways.
Full House levels of drama hit in the flathead division, where Aiden Doran landed a huge 892mm fish—basically Uncle Jesse on a Harley. Lucas Hardy (680mm) and Bernard Richter (670mm) weren’t far behind, both delivering solid, sitcom-dad performances.
When we got to king-cobia, things got Baywatch-level epic. Scott Fleming pulled in a whopping 1240mm fish, saving the day like Mitch Buchannon in slow motion. Ross Martens (1150mm) and Mackenzie Luck (1131mm) backed it up with more muscle than the A-Team.
Judges’ Choice played out like a Seinfeld subplot: a little quirky, slightly unpredictable, and ultimately brilliant. Andrew Witchard’s 1240mm Spanish mackerel stole the scene like Newman stealing mail, while Darren Constable delivered a 730mm barcod, and Jacqui Kerr landed a 495mm tuskfish with Elaine-level flair.
Then came the mulloway madness—Friends theme tune blasting as Stephen Banks dropped a 1290mm fish. Could he be any more on top? But Chad Banks (1274mm), Billy Hounslow, and Daniel Outerbridge (both 1228mm) weren’t just supporting cast—they were more like the Ross and Monica of the weigh-in tent: oddly competitive, but still lovable.
In pearl perch, it was a slow-burner plotline. Patrick Jones topped the board with 550mm, followed by Riley Constable (531mm) and Robert Hargraves (480mm), all proving that even side characters get their own episode arc eventually.
Snapper had that Will & Grace kind of energy—loud, proud, and stylish. Alex Campbell led with 893mm, followed by Andrew Witchard (880mm) and Martin Howley (819mm), all catching like they’d rehearsed in front of a live studio audience.
Tailor was all about consistency. Alan Veselis (606mm), Ryan Kernaghan (585mm), and Connor Hyde (500mm) played the slow game like a mid-season Family Ties rerun—nostalgic, solid, and underrated.
In the trag division, Randy Harris was the Cliff Clavin of the day, dropping random knowledge and a 728mm fish. Lisa Symonds (700mm) and Ron Rayner (663mm) weren’t far behind, keeping things respectable with sitcom-dad levels of effort.
And finally, whiting delivered the classic “final scene moral lesson” moment. Alexander Klassen took top spot with 418mm—steady as Uncle Phil. Craig Priddy (410mm) and Josh Dorsman (390mm) rounded it out like a closing freeze-frame with a heartfelt hug.
So, as the credits roll on Day 4, we’re left with one thought: cue theme music. Because in Evans Head this week, the fish are big, the casts are cleaner than Danny Tanner’s kitchen, and everyone’s chasing a happy ending—with a trophy in one hand and a rod in the other.
