FISHING: Former Warwick Cowboys premiership- winning footballer Cody Haynes has hooked the first major title of the BASS Australia Nation Series 5.

Haynes went to school at Warwick East State School and Warwick State High School. He played rugby league for Eastern Suburbs and won a TRL premiership with the Cowboys under-18 team, but now his main focus is fishing.

Reeling in nearly 4kg of Wilson River bass, Haynes won the Wilson River Rumble 670g ahead of his nearest rival.

Haynes said he took a massive gamble at the tournament near Lismore in New South Wales, but it paid off handsomely.

"I took the boat close to 90minutes down river where the water is a lot shallower and more tidal,” Haynes said.

"It was a massive gamble but it's a fantastic spot and I hooked plenty of fish.”

Haynes also changed his technique approach during the Friday pre-fish prior to last weekend's tournament.

"I was originally going to use spinner baits,” he said.

"But I changed things up a little and went with crank baits because I found that technique was getting the bigger hits in the pre-fish.”

The win gives Haynes an early advantage in the race to claim the coveted Angler of the Year title, a title he won as a non-boater in the past.

"This is my third year in the pro division after two years as a non-boater. I won Angler of the Year as a non-boater and I'd love to win it as a pro.”

Winning the bass series and the AOY title brings with it a lucrative reward - the winner gains entry into the Bassmaster Classic in America.

The classic is considered the most prestigious title in fishing worldwide.

Haynes' next tournament will be the Glenbawn Challenge in New South Wales.

As Haynes knew where the fish would be biting, his co-anglers also reaped the rewards, Lloyd Brown and Mackenzie Luck placing first and second respectively in their division.