The TT/Zman sponsored round of the 2025 Rapala BASS Pro Series at Wivenhoe Dam will be remembered as the breakthrough moment for Harry Hardman, who secured his first ABT victory with a performance that combined technical skill, confidence in his location, and the composure to see it through under pressure. Across two days, Hardman pieced together a commanding bag total of 16.63 kg, highlighted by a monster 9.84 kg opening session and sealed with a composed 6.7 kg on the final day.

Building Confidence in Pre-Fish

Hardman’s pre-fish session set the stage for his eventual triumph. Launching at Hammon Cove, he explored the expansive flat at the mouth of the bay, a well-known area where creek edges often hold quality fish. The key was a subtle feature: a kilometre-long flat sitting in about 20 feet of water, dropping gradually to 30–35 feet along one corner.

During pre-fish, he confirmed that fish were holding in the area by marking them on his sounder and seeing their size clearly on Active Target. A two-and-a-half-kilo bass in pre-fish was enough for him to leave the area alone, confident he had a winning school to return to when the tournament began.

Tactical Location Choice

On day one, Hardman weighed up his options carefully. The direction of the field at take-off told him much: the bulk of the boats headed to the right-hand side of the lake, leaving his Hammon Cove flat virtually untouched. Only one other competitor, Mick Horn, joined him. That signalled the chance to fish a productive school without the pressure of multiple boats.

The gamble paid off instantly. By 8:30 am, he already had 8–8.5 kg in the livewell. Hardman and his co-angler, Jill, shared fish almost cast-for-cast, with Jill losing one that could have been even bigger while netting one of Harry’s. Still, the early session gave him the confidence and weight he needed to dominate the day.

Long-Lining the Deep Edge

Hardman committed entirely to one technique across the weekend: long-lining deep-diving crankbaits. His weapon of choice was the Millerods CrankFreak AU, an eight-foot medium-heavy rod matched with an Imakatsu IK-800 crankbait. This lure, long-lined with Toray Super Strong F4 braid (in the ultra-thin P1 diameter), allowed him to reach depths of 35–37 feet—exactly where the fish were holding.

The thin braid was critical, cutting through the water and enabling the lure to reach maximum depth, something straight-through fluorocarbon couldn’t replicate. It also provided the responsiveness to impart subtle twitches that often triggered bites.

On day one, nearly every fish ate halfway back to the boat. By contrast, on day two, the bite changed: his first four fish came tight under the boat as he twitched the lure upward, a reminder of how subtle shifts in presentation can determine success in pressured conditions.

Day Two: The Grind

While day one had been a dream run, day two proved more testing. The early flurry of bites gave him three fish in the first few long-lines, but as the sun rose and the conditions warmed, the fish shut down. Hardman ground it out, catching only five fish all day, but the quality was there when it counted. Those final two crucial bites filled out his limit and ensured he crossed the five-kilo mark required to secure victory.

His final bag of 6.7 kg, combined with his day one lead, was enough to outpace the field and cement his first ABT title.

Learning From Others

Hardman was quick to acknowledge the role others played in his journey to this moment. Joey Allen and other experienced anglers had provided him with lessons on reading dams, lure presentation, and adapting to conditions. Their guidance helped him reframe his approach to northern impoundments, adding polish to his already solid fundamentals.

He also credited Simon and Glynn from Your Outdoor Experience, who supported him after a tough run at Somerset earlier in the season. Their advice helped him reset mentally and arrive at Wivenhoe with the right attitude to perform.

A Family and Community Victory

Victory at Wivenhoe was more than just a personal milestone. Hardman comes from a strong fishing lineage, with three generations of the Hardman family actively involved in ABT competition through Harbin Outdoors in Moree. The support of his family, friends, and sponsors made the win all the more special.

His office team back home followed the weigh-in live, erupting with cheers when he secured the win. Support also came from industry partners including Jackall Australia, Lowrance, Keitech and others who have backed his fishing journey.

Path to the Grand Final

Beyond the immediate prestige of a Pro Series win, Hardman’s performance also earned him automatic qualification for the season-ending Grand Final, where the AlloyCraft/Mercury boat package will be on the line. Though he admitted rivers are not his strongest suit, he’s determined to apply the lessons learned at Wivenhoe to the Richmond River and beyond.

Technical Breakdown for Anglers

For tournament anglers studying Hardman’s victory, several takeaways stand out:

1. Location – Hammon Cove’s subtle ledge offered a less-pressured school with room to work. Trusting in pre-fish results and reading the fleet’s movements gave Hardman an edge.

2. Technique – Long-lining deep cranks with ultra-thin braid and an eight-foot rod allowed him to reach the depths necessary for quality bites.

3. Adaptation – Recognising the change in bite location between days one and two, and adjusting retrieves accordingly, made the difference in filling his limit.

4. Mental Game – Resilience after Somerset and composure under the day-two grind highlighted the mental toughness required to close out a win.

Conclusion

Harry Hardman’s first ABT victory at Wivenhoe Dam will be remembered not only for the weight he posted but for the way he earned it. His win was a product of preparation, technical execution, and the support of the people around him. For anglers across Australia, his performance is a reminder that even on pressured waters, success comes from identifying a productive feature, committing to a proven technique, and grinding it out when conditions change.

As the Rapala BASS Pro Series moves toward its Grand Final, Hardman enters with momentum and belief—qualities that can carry a first-time winner into the sport’s elite ranks.

The TT/Zman sponsored round of the 2025 Rapala BASS Pro Series at Wivenhoe Dam delivered a breakthrough moment for long-time competitor Jill Wales, who claimed her first Non Boater victory in what proved to be one of the most exciting finales of the season. For Wales, the triumph was the culmination of persistence, adaptability, and trust in her partners over two challenging days of fishing.

A Long Road to the Winner’s Circle

Wales has been a familiar face on the ABT scene for years, competing as both a Boater and a Non Boater. While she has always enjoyed the Non Boater format, this win marked her first major breakthrough at the national level. Driving up from her home in southern New South Wales, she admitted that victory was never in her mind at the start of the event. “I thought it was hopeful, but I didn’t think it would happen,” she explained after the weigh-in. That humility would be replaced with elation when her bag hit the scales and confirmed her as the Wivenhoe champion.

Day One: Learning to Longline

On Day One, Wales drew eventual Boater champion Harry Hardman as her partner. Fishing with Hardman gave her the chance to refine a technique she had only dabbled in once before: longlining deep crankbaits. Hardman’s approach revolved around the Imakatsu IK800, a massive deep-diving crankbait designed to reach the depths where Wivenhoe’s bigger bass hold. For Wales, it was only the second time she had ever longlined in a tournament, and the first time she had done it with a lure of that size.

The method required casting long, driving away from the lure with the electric motor, and then slowly winding it back so it could reach its maximum depth. Despite the steep learning curve, Wales adapted quickly, landing four legal fish on the first day and upgrading once to finish with over 4kg. That bag put her in second place after Day One, well within striking distance of the top spot.

“It was all about getting that lure down deep and letting it bounce along the bottom,” she explained. “You’d feel it knocking, and then suddenly, bang – they were on.”

Day Two – Switching to a Chatterbait

While Day One was about learning new tricks, Day Two called for adaptability. Partnered with New South Wales angler Ben Hay, Wales made a long run more than an hour up the lake. This time, longlining wasn’t the key. Instead, Hay suggested fishing the shallows with chatterbaits. Wales tied on a black chatterbait rigged with a single hook and began casting toward the banks.

Initially, the pair tried deeper water without much success. When Hay hooked up near the edges, Wales followed suit, firing her chatterbait tight into the shallows and winding it back. The results were immediate – fish were hitting hard almost as soon as the lure touched down.

Her gear setup was straightforward but effective: an Abu Garcia Revo baitcaster paired with a Broken Bones Duff Rod, spooled with Shimano Grappler braid around 10lb, matched with a heavier 12lb leader for security. The combination gave her the strength to pull bass out of cover while maintaining sensitivity on the strike.

“The fish were taking it straight away, right at the start of the retrieve,” she recalled. “As soon as it hit the water, a couple of turns of the reel and they were on.”

Victory and a Place in the Grand Final

The second-day bag was enough to push Wales ahead of her Non Boater rivals and into first place overall. When the scales confirmed her as champion, the relief and joy were written all over her face. This was not just another solid tournament result – it was the first win of her ABT Non Boater career.

The victory also earned her an automatic qualification into the Rapala BASS Pro Series Grand Final. With thousands of dollars in tackle up for grabs for the Non Boater champion at that event, Wales is already looking forward to the opportunity. “I’ve seen those prize boards before, and it’s wonderful,” she said. “To be fishing the Richmond now as part of the grand final – it’s amazing.”

Acknowledgements and Gratitude

Like many anglers who achieve a first win, Wales was quick to share the credit. She thanked her partners Hardman and Hay for their willingness to share techniques and water, and she gave a heartfelt shout-out to her supporter Baden Sparrow from Keitech, who was on hand at Wivenhoe to watch her success unfold. She also acknowledged the friends and family back home who had backed her throughout her time as an ABT competitor.

“This is what makes it so special – it’s not just for me, it’s for everyone who’s been along the ride,” she said.

Significance for the Tour

Wales’ victory adds another first-time winner to ABT’s long history of rewarding persistence and adaptability. Her success highlighted the variety of techniques that Wivenhoe Dam demands, from deep-cranking longlines to shallow-water chatterbaits. For fellow Non Boaters, her journey serves as a reminder that every day on the water is a chance to learn, adapt, and break through.

As ABT tournament director Steve Morgan remarked during the presentation, “We love first-time ABT winners.” Jill Wales now joins that list, and with a ticket to the Grand Final secured, her story for 2025 is far from over.

Click here for 2025 Rapala BASS Pro Series event entry form.
Click here for 2025 ABT Membership form. 

VENUE:

Wivenhoe Dam, QLD.

DATES:

4/5 September 2025

ENTRY FEE:

$275 boater/$150 non-boater. ABT Membership required.

PRE FISH BAN:

No fishing from Sunrise Monday 18th August until first light on Wednesday 3rd September 2025.

PRE FISH:

From first light, Wednesday 3rd September 2025

EVENT START LOCATION:

Logan Inlet, Wivenhoe Dam 

NO GO ZONES:

• No fishing/boating inside of the buoy lines defining the dam wall or inside any defines swimming enclosures.

SESSION TIMES:

Thursday: 6.45am to 2pm

Friday: 6.45am to 1pm

BRIEFING:

Logan Inlet
Wednesday 3rd September 2025
3pm registration; 4pm briefing

PRESENTATION:

ASAP after weigh-in on the Friday.

Last updated 28th August 2025