Cod thumb or perhaps cod hand, either way Murray Cod have very sharp teeth.
If I had a dollar for every lure we have retrieved from the Murray River covered in teeth marks and sporting a short length of mono or braided line, I could possibly retire. To the uninitiated, it’s a great find but it is also a hard luck story of the one that got away. Contrary to popular belief Murray cod have teeth, and while they are not of the style that sharks possess, they are sharp nonetheless. These teeth are like small fine needles, rows and rows of them curved back in a fashion that is designed for grasping and holding baitfish and other items of prey. If you put your hand in their mouth to remove a hook, you will quickly find out that they are also very effective at removing skin. These injuries are often referred to as cod thumb, and are a painful trophy for he or she who has caught a fish. When a large cod inhales a bait or lure, they instinctively throw their head from side to side during the fight. This action is similar to a rasp working across your line and without the use of a heavy mono leader, in most cases the line will part. In time, the fish will spit the lure out and it will float to the surface covered in teeth marks and sporting a short length of line. It’s a revolving tale of cod fishing woe that can be fixed simply by learning how to rig a mono leader.
In fact when targeting any big fish be it Murray cod, Barramundi, kingfish etc it is advisable to use a mono leader. Leader materials are many; Fluorocarbon has been touted in recent times as the be all and end all of leader materials. This is possibly true in lighter gauges when targeting bream, bass and other smaller fishes. When you begin to run leaders 50lb and above many Fluorocarbons will not meld well when tied onto the main line. They display a memory that will often see them spring back from the knot. Softer materials form far better knots that not only pull up tight but also run through the guides more smoothly when casting. Many anglers don’t run a leader simply because they are unsure how to tie one. A simple answer to this problem is to drop into your local tackle shop and get them to give you a demo. There are also a number of books available on this subject with Geoff Wilson’s Knots and Rigs providing several clear step-by-step versions of the leader knot. Next time you have the good fortune to find the gnarled up lure with the short length of line you can fish comfortably in the knowledge that running a leader is one less way to loose a fish.
Gday Mate,
This is so often overlooked and I have come unstuck before out of sheer laziness, in a rush to get that lure into the water I have knowingly neglected to tie a leader on and thought nah she`ll be right…bad call on two occassions so ever since then its been no lure of mine ever hits the water without a leader. Another useful tip ( for new anglers ) is to check those first 4 or 5 mtrs of line attached to your leader as they often get small abrasion marks from dragging over rocks etc and can separate like cotton when that fish of a lifetime comes along.
Steve
Good call Steve,
A good rule to remember is if you so much as have to look twice at your line or knots change them. Big fish do not come along all that often you need to make the most of every chance you get. Famous last words go along the lines of… I will get one on first and then I will worry about that. To late then get it right first up.
…….I willl get one on first, Now who said that ?
If Only I had read this before the 18th of may 2007, Thats the day I felt a small nic in my leader and thought she’ll be right for one more pass, minutes later I had what would have been my first meter+ Cod on the line, three big head shakes and “snap” all I got back was about 400mm of leader, busted right about where the nic was, lost a new lure and the plot, kicked myself for weeks for being so lazy.
over the last two years i’ve put many different lures into that snag, But the one that got away has not been so easy to fool a second time.
Cheers.
Yea mate I think we have all been there, complacency often comes with many unrewarded hours on the water. If you adopt the attitude you are but one cast away from that next monster you are less likely to fall under the she will be right attitude. Maximising opportunities is the first of many one percent factors that help you catch more fish.
love that line in cod almighty 1. “He’s cod cod thumb, No hand, No cod BODY!” haha
anyway. usually when i loose a larger boyant lure i wait a while only to find it floatin gon the surface. obviously the cod smashes it on some structure. Smart fish.