There was no shortage of grunt in this photo of a Murray cod caught on a Bassman DT spinnerbait.

 While large lures are generally accepted as those most suited to trolling, they certainly have other applications that include tempting large Murray cod on the cast. Many in my tackle box look like they have been hewn from the end of a strainer post before being whittled into a range of creations that in size alone could almost pass for legal size fish species. One elderly fisherman by chance observed several of these large lures in an open tackle box at the local boat ramp. Having returned fishless he jokingly enquired on whether he might take a fillet of a couple as they might surely provide a feed. In all seriousness though, casting large lures around the snags is a sure fire way to tempt the biggest of Murray cod from cover. Once they commit they will rush and strike at the larger presentation with frightening force. At this time of the year the cooler water temperatures affect the feeding habits of these larger fish. They begin to feed in a more calculated manner where assaults on prey are most often measured to optimise energy spent for that gained. Fuel is the driving force where one assault on large prey is far more efficient than several assaults on smaller items. And this is where the presentation of larger lures comes to play.  The grunt began as a joke but often follows the longer casts when sending these heavier lures towards the snags.  The sound itself a parody of those highly ranked tennis greats as they power the ball back and forth across the net. Of course the grunt is optional, but brings hearty relief as you wait the savage strike of a hungry fish.  As casting goes it is wise to upgrade rod weights to around 6kg plus. Not only will this give you greater casting control for better accuracy, enabling you to place the lure in the prime spots at distance. It will also help persuade any rampaging cod that are hooked close to timber to alter course with the extra turning power they provide. What constitutes a large lure in big cod standards are those that exceed the 100mm mark. There are many lures readily available that exceed this length including the ever popular number 1 StumpJumpers, 120mm Codzillas  and Bassman DT spinnerbaits. The later a meal in itself, has two flashing blades that ride above a plastic trailer system that creates both bulk and plenty of water displacement. The DT preceding this lures name aptly stands for double trouble and that certainly rings true where big cod are concerned.   Over recent weeks we have seen several big cod caught casting both large hard-bodied lures and spinnerbaits. As mentioned earlier, the grunt is optional when casting these lures towards the snags but all too often involuntary when lifting the fish they catch for that long overdue mug shot.      

Jock Mackenzie & Macey Evans with a great Murray cod caught casting a 120mm Koolabung Codzilla.

There is little doubt its winter as you open the swag and it crackles back to a frosty layer of ice that has settled during the night. There are many joys to winter cod fishing but lighting the pre dawn camp fire is not one of them.  Rattling fingers strike clumsily at the match box as a bundle of leaves and twigs threatens to catch alight. With the kettle on and a hand full of snags sizzling in the pan cold fingers are warmed to the crackling glow as the kids are shaken awake for a feed before heading out at dawns first light. Keen as they are, youthful exuberance is no match for winters morning chill and chattering teeth soon replace excited banter as we pile into the boat and make our way onto the water. A thick layer of fog an eerie sight as the electric motor pushes the small boat quietly along the glass calm river towards the first fallen snag that might hopefully hold the prize. Several lures are cast to the likely holding points and worked slowly into the depths bouncing their way along the sunken timber. Half an hour on and frozen fingers reluctantly work as cast after cast go undisturbed. A long cast towards the buttress of an old river gum was cranked but a few feet under the water when the massive jaws of a Murray cod slammed the wiggling lure and exploded its bulk clear of the surface. The line peeled from the drag as it powered off in the opposite direction to its timber clad home. This was good news for me as it meant the fish was in open water and unlikely to brush me off in the sunken timber. By now the chattering teeth of the youngsters was long forgotten as they watched on, intent as the giant fish was lead towards the boat. The lure, a green Codzilla was hardly pinned in the outside of the head and with the landing net still back at camp in the car it was a touch and go capture. A gloved hand was used to grab the open mouth and the fish was lifted over the side of the boat where the shivering kids were more than happy to have their snap taken with the big cod. After its release, small hands worked the lures at fever pitch as the cold morning air took a back seat to the chance of landing a monster of their own. We finished the day with two more and the youngsters were more than happy with their first taste of winter cod fishing. It must have been a good weekend in most locations along the Murray as several large cod were caught in other areas by anglers casting and trolling lures. Seems the real cod season is upon us, so why not rug up and get out on the water for some seriously good big cod fishing?