Riley Whelan Crowned Champion at Inaugural Bream Cup

The inaugural Bream Cup has concluded on the Gippsland Lakes, delivering two days of high-calibre tournament fishing and a standout victory for 16 year old Metung angler Riley Whelan.

Competing against a strong field of 18 experienced anglers, Whelan secured the Inaugural Bream Cup title with a two day combined weight of 11.976kg, claiming the trophy and $8,000 in prize money. His consistent performance across both sessions proved decisive in a tightly contested competition.

Paul Malov finished second with 10.984kg, earning $4,000, while Dan Mackrell secured third place with 10.871kg and $2,000 in prize money. Cam Whittam rounded out the top four, finishing fourth with 9.656kg and taking home $1,000.

The tournament also featured daily Big Bream prizes, recognising the heaviest individual fish weighed each day.

On Day One, Riley Whelan secured the Tasline and BerleyPro Big Bream prize with a fish weighing 1.801kg, earning $500 plus a $350 prize pack.

On Day Two, Dan Mackrell claimed the Big Bream honours with a 1.59kg fish, also receiving $500 and a $350 prize pack from Tasline and BerleyPro.

The tournament produced impressive performances across the field, including the heaviest single day bag of the event, 6.495kg by Damien Dwyer on Day One while Whelan’s 6.185kg Day Two bag proved pivotal in securing overall victory.

Delivered as a feature activation of the 2026 Gippsland Lakes Boat Show, the Bream Cup attracted strong public engagement. Tournament boats were displayed along the Paynesville Beach, competitor briefings were held on the main stage, and visitors had the opportunity to interact directly with anglers and inspect professional tournament setups.

Importantly, the event contributed to the broader festival atmosphere across Paynesville, complementing the Paynesville Classic Boat Rally and Gippsland Lakes Boat Show drawing thousands to the waterfront. The integration of tournament angling into a major regional boat show demonstrated the commercial and community value of competitive fishing as a driver of visitation, industry exposure and regional activation.

BIAV CEO Steve Walker said the event highlighted both the strength of tournament fishing in Victoria and its role within the broader marine industry ecosystem. “The Bream Cup showcased elite angling talent while reinforcing the depth of community support behind the sport,” Mr Walker said.
“Importantly, it demonstrated how competitive fishing can enhance regional boat shows, generate strong public engagement and support local economic activity.”

The event was made possible through the generous support of key sponsors including Two Bays Suzuki Marine, Form A Sign Australia, Tasline, BerleyPro, and the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV). Their backing ensured a professionally delivered, high-quality tournament experience for competitors and spectators alike.

The success of the inaugural event positions the Bream Cup as a significant new addition to Victoria’s tournament fishing calendar and a strong complementary activation within future marine events.