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Good Cod Almighty!

Posted on January 6, 2012

WITH the cod season well and truly open, now is the time to dust off the big lures, gather the new rods and reels that Santa brought you this Christmas, and head for your favourite spot on the Murray or Darling Rivers in search of ‘the big one.’

PRIZED CATCH: Jamie ‘Sanchez’ Robinson proudly shows off every angler’s dream - a legendary Murray Cod. These giants are iconic to the Murray and Darling rivers, and the season is well and truly open.

The season has been closed since September last year, and serious cod anglers have been in ‘hibernation,’ waiting for the opportunity to once again swim big lures, in the hope of catching even bigger fish.

Hopefully there is some good fishing to be found over the next few months. But it comes at a time when sceptical views still surround the aftermath of the blackwater event, and the longevity of giant Murray Cod in the river system.

This is why it is extremely pleasing to see and hear of some small cod being caught on lures, and on bait. It tells us that there is hope after all. Many of these cod have been caught above Mildura, just out of the pool area. A couple of larger cod up to 85cm have also been reported being caught on trolled hard-bodied lures below Mildura.

Now a word of caution…no matter where you fish during cod season, make sure you adhere to the latest NSW and Victorian fishing regulations.

In a catch and release situation, please be particularly careful with big Murray Cod caught during summer, as they don’t like being out of the water for too long. I for one advocate anglers enjoying the beauty of catching and releasing these majestic fish, rather than keeping them for the table.

With unknown numbers of big Murray Cod left between Barmah and Mildura, it’s important that the general public realise that these big fish need to be returned to the water if there is any chance of allowing the next generation to breed up.

Yellowbelly are still being caught in good numbers below the weirs, lock structures and snags. They have mainly been caught on cast 1/4oz spinnerbaits and vibration lures close to the banks using a lift and drop technique. Catfish are also being caught, mostly on live shrimp, around the areas of Merbein and Wentworth.

River flows are still fairly strong, so trolling hard bodied lures, both rattle and non-rattle models, against the current will be one of the best methods of catching a cod. Trolling against the current will work the lure, and ensure it is presented in the ‘strike zone’ for longer. Trolling with the current will see the lures dive slightly deeper at a shorter distance, but with less time in the strike zone.

When choosing lures for trolling in fast flowing water, you can rely on big hard bodied lures with shallow diving bibs, around 3-4m, as they gain a decent depth and provide less resistance whilst trolling against an ultra-fast current.

A thin profile helps to cut through the current without pulling the rod out of your hands. Ideal lures for this application are the Koolabung Codbait and Codzilla series. These can be cast or trolled, and have accounted for multiple cod over the magical metre mark last season.

When casting for Murray Cod, big spinnerbaits like the Bassman 10z Mumbler or Codman with willow blade set ups are ideal in high flow areas.They gain depth very quickly, and hit just about every snag, which is right where you want to be.

No matter which lures you use or wherever you venture, it is important that you protect yourself against the rays of the harsh Mildura sun. There are many quality products on the market in this regard. I have been using ‘Ice Rays’ for a few weeks now, and have found them to be a ‘must have’ item in the tackle bag.

While there is no substitute for a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a good hat when fishing, products like these mean you can wear short sleeves without worrying about being burnt.

Ice Rays are basically a sleeve for the entire length of your arm. They are constructed from ultra-lightweight material. You put them on like a pair of gloves, then slide them up your arm to the desired length.

This product epitomises the true meaning of sun protection while fishing. Its whole arm coverage from the sun, light weight UVP50+ and material construction are why this product sells so well in retail stores.

One particular feature I like about the sleeves is their amazing ability to keep your skin cool. They are also comfortable to wear, and don’t get in the way when you are tying knots or changing lures. They also pack into a small handy zip-lock water-poof case which can be stashed just about anywhere in your bag or boat.

Ice Rays come in various colours to go with your favourite fishing clobber, and are available from Got One Mildura for $29.95. They are among many more sun protection products on offer.

The current cod season is filled with hope and promise, and most regular anglers have their favourite spots. I wish you all safe, happy and successful fishing during 2012.

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