The smile says it all, just one of three giant Murray cod Dave caught on his last trip to the Murray River.
Like many anglers you may have heard the reports of numerous giant meter plus cod landed locally along the Murray River this season. It seem the meter mark has become the holy grail of cod fishing and to reach this mile stone sets you the right to join campfire yarns on such monumental captures and all they involve. It is a great thrill to catch and release one of these giant iconic fish and for some of us it becomes an obsession that taunts us with every cast. To think this obsession is quelled with that first capture is to go in blind to the effect these giant fish have upon one’s psyche. And so it was when we hit the Murray a week or so back and introduced a mild mannered computer technician to the wonderful world of all that’s addictive about cod fishing.
Dave or Shade as he is known had caught a few cod in his time but had never landed that elusive meter giant and from the outset he didn’t seem that fussed about the whole affair. That was right up until the moment his lure was crunched with a force that can only be delivered from a green fish that tips the mark. The take on a trolled lure from a large Murray cod is generally distinct as it has the effect to alter facial expressions from calm to wide eyed disbelief in that exact instant. Heart in your mouth moments follow as time is altered where seconds grow into minutes, with every lunge and dive stretching arms and gear to the limit. In this case the angler won and moments later stood clutching the giant fish and wearing a grin that tells the story in itself. With the cod quickly returned to the river, the lures were recast and with hands still shaking from excitement, Dave punched the lure out behind the boat and watched it wriggle back into the depths. We hadn’t gone twenty feet and the beaming grin was snapped back to a look of confusion as the rod loaded to the weight of another giant. On again and this time the fish was even bigger. Worn from the first round, it was all the angler could do to lift the beast that measured in at 110 cm. Two over the meter in less than ten minutes, it looked like another self confessed cod fishing legend in the making. That would be it for the afternoon and the beers never tasted so sweet as those shared around the campfire to the tune of two giants in a single day. The following morning as luck might have it another found its way onto the lure and at 120cm the computer tech was now caught up in hat trick of giant fish. When last seen driving down the highway, cars were said to be flashing their lights in the hopes that he might dip his grin. “No legend here,” he said on leaving “just one angler that is three times privileged to have enjoyed the most special of fish.” Hail to the cod god and welcome to a world that will taunt him with every cast from here on in.
Dave or Shade as he is known had caught a few cod in his time but had never landed that elusive meter giant and from the outset he didn’t seem that fussed about the whole affair. That was right up until the moment his lure was crunched with a force that can only be delivered from a green fish that tips the mark. The take on a trolled lure from a large Murray cod is generally distinct as it has the effect to alter facial expressions from calm to wide eyed disbelief in that exact instant. Heart in your mouth moments follow as time is altered where seconds grow into minutes, with every lunge and dive stretching arms and gear to the limit. In this case the angler won and moments later stood clutching the giant fish and wearing a grin that tells the story in itself. With the cod quickly returned to the river, the lures were recast and with hands still shaking from excitement, Dave punched the lure out behind the boat and watched it wriggle back into the depths. We hadn’t gone twenty feet and the beaming grin was snapped back to a look of confusion as the rod loaded to the weight of another giant. On again and this time the fish was even bigger. Worn from the first round, it was all the angler could do to lift the beast that measured in at 110 cm. Two over the meter in less than ten minutes, it looked like another self confessed cod fishing legend in the making. That would be it for the afternoon and the beers never tasted so sweet as those shared around the campfire to the tune of two giants in a single day. The following morning as luck might have it another found its way onto the lure and at 120cm the computer tech was now caught up in hat trick of giant fish. When last seen driving down the highway, cars were said to be flashing their lights in the hopes that he might dip his grin. “No legend here,” he said on leaving “just one angler that is three times privileged to have enjoyed the most special of fish.” Hail to the cod god and welcome to a world that will taunt him with every cast from here on in.
Gday,
Congrats to all involved in the recent captures as mentioned above. The truly great thing is that not only has another person been exposed to the pure adrenalin, enjoyment and self satisfaction that comes with the legitimate capture of such a fish, but it is also testament as to why Catch & Release of these leviathans is so benificial to all anglers. Had these fish not possibly been released in the past, than Shade, like so many keen anglers before and after him, would still be wondering about what it would have been like to have seen one of these magnificant fish, and now thankfully not only has that dream been made a reality, but they are still there cruising the depths for future anglers expectations to be met. Its a great feeling for ALL involved in such captures, as more often than not its a Team effort to accomplish such things, and as such all walk away from the event with a well deserved sense of pride and respect. Not only for themselves, but for all involved and naturally for the Mighty Murray Cod itself.
Well done to those that have helped the above become a reality, not only for the reality today but for past, present and future generations to come.
Anyway starting to get sick of typing so shall leave it at that before anyone needs a bookmark to read it all.
WELL DONE TO ALL
Steve
Well Said SMH, Top read RodMac.
It was a magic trip.
Cheers.