Tiny Angler, Big Victory: Five-Year-Old Berowra Heights Local Wins National Fishing Title

The North Shore has a new national champion in its midst, and he hasn’t even reached primary school yet.

Five year old local Cruz Jones (pictured), from Berowra Heights, has claimed a major victory in the Aussie Junior Fishing Classic (AJFC) April competition, proving that big talent often comes in small packages.

Competing in the 3-7 year age group, Cruz secured first place in the Tailor category. The AJFC is a highly successful national event that attracts young anglers from every corner of Australia to showcase their skills across multiple species.

“Seeing the competition grow from a local Queensland event into a national classic has been incredible. Creating an event that gives children that encourages children to go outdoors, make memories and have fun fishing is something that is really important to me,” said Sam Beckmann, Co Founder of 2 Bent Rods.

Amidst a field of talented competitors nationwide, Cruz’s standout performance brought a prestigious win home to our local community.

Sam Beckmann, co-founder of 2 Bent Rods, praised the high engagement levels seen throughout the April event. “Cruz had a great result in the Tailor category,” Beckmann said. “It’s always exciting to see young anglers enjoying themselves and developing their fishing skills through the competition”.

The AJFC provides a fun, family-friendly platform for junior anglers to grow their passion for the sport.

Competitors are divided into three age groups – 3–7, 8–12, and 13–17 – giving every participant a great opportunity to win prizes.

For local families inspired by Cruz’s success, the next competition is just around the corner, running from 27 June through to 12 July.