Competitors have come from far and wide, with some journeying from as far as Fremantle, Western Australia to take part in this year’s action and put themselves in the race for the $40,000 worth of prizes, which includes a Quintrex 420 Renegade boat valued at $15,490.

Leading the charge at the time of going to press were father/son team of Lanny and Scott Henriksen.

Competing for the first time, Lanny was on board to help his son haul in a 120kg game shark off Merimbula.

“It’s definitely the biggest I’ve ever caught,” Scott said.

“I’ve been coming up from Geelong every year for about five or six years, but this is the first time Dad’s come up.

“Hopefully we’re in with a shot.”

Matching them kilo for kilo is former club president Geoff McMahon, who somehow managed to reel in a black marlin single-handedly aboard the ‘Nevahome’.

Other notable catches to date include Cornelius Bysterveldt’s snapper, which weighed just shy of 7kg, Shantelle Walker’s 2.322kg dusky flathead, and Emma Inge, who snagged herself the biggest bream so far in the girl’s competition, at a whopping 1.220kg.

Over 100 people turned out to a special meet and greet held at the club on Friday night, where entrants were also briefed on competition rules.

Long-time competitor Cyril Craddock and his fellow crew members shared their story with the Magnet as they prepared for another run at the big prize.

“I’ve been coming up for about 30 years now,” said Cyril, a Morwell resident who was made a life member of the club in 2000.

“I used to come up every month but I usually only make it for the competition now; there’s no way I would miss this.

“I’ve been fishing with (crewmate and ex-Navy sailor) Bill Paulet for about nine years now, and my grandson Shaun is with us now too.

“I’m still the skipper; they fight over who the deckhand is, so I can’t wait to spend a week out there with them!”

But while you can’t doubt the dedication of the crew that travelled four-and-a-half hours to be here, there’s something special about the effort of Pam Lewis.

“I’ve come from Fremantle in Western Australia,” Pam said.

“I’ve known Eden’s Jenny Drenkhahn for years.

“We did our nursing training together in Wollongong, so I’m staying with her during the competition.”

The Eden Amateur Fishing Club competition finishes at noon on Saturday, March 8.

It’s not too late to register; head down to the clubhouse on Quarantine Bay Rd, or call 6496 3410.