Snag reel treasures at Fishing Expo

ANGLING enthusiasts will be thinking all their Christmases have come at once across the weekend of Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May when the annual Regional Vic Fishing Expo anchors down at the Bendigo Showgrounds.

Fishing fanatics can expect to find specialised freshwater and saltwater gear you’ll basically never see on the shelves at BCF, including ACA Spinnerbaits, Aussie Native Lures, Carman’s Soft Plastics and Lure Supplies and Codrick Lures.

Colli Lures will also be there, as well as Firm Rods, GT Custom Rods, Hillies Lures & Spinners, Lighthouse Lures, Loona Lures, Mad Dog Timber Lures, Nomis Spinnerbaits, Predator Lures, Primal Spinbaits and STRIKERZ Lure Scents!

 

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party will have a presence too, as well as the Cod Pro Shop, Central Vic Lure Casters, Action Water Sports, the South West Anglers Association, Tonic Eyewear, the Victorian Fisheries Authority and Vrfish/OzFish.

It’s going to be pretty busy, if you get the drift! The brains behind the Expo, Peter Fedke, who also produces Dinolures handmade spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, said the Expo has been “slowly but surely growing” since the first one in Horsham in 2023.

“It started as a trial to see if it was something that people could be interested in from an exhibitor’s point of view, showcasing the small guys who you don’t see at the big Expos,” he said.

“It’s just too dear (for them), so I came up with a cheaper alternative.”

According to Mr Fedke, while Australia has some of the best lure makers anywhere in the world, they don’t get enough credit.

“You’ll be surprised – especially when it comes to the Australian-made stuff – just how good they are,” he said.

“Everyone knows your Shimanos and your whatnots, but they may not know of a Kuttafurra lure or a Mad Dog lure – they’re fantastic products.

“There’ll be everything from your normal tackle store products right up to the expensive custom-made rods and lures, so if you’re interested in fishing and Australian fishing products especially, come down and have a look!”

Tickets can be purchased at trybooking.com/events/landing/1351022 or at the door.