A nice golden perch caught on a Bassman Micro Mumbler.

A few days of warm spring weather is all it takes to kick start a great run of fishing action as it has in most of our local waters. Golden perch are on the chew and while it’s only early day’s anglers are cashing in on the bounty with numerous reports of fish to 2kg and better. Golden’s will often congregate in larger numbers during the spawning run, making them a vulnerable if not easy target in some areas. Most anglers are opting to use lures with smaller models proving most successful. Blades have become a prime lure choice and their silent sleek appearance gives off the same instinctive patterns as many small natural bait fishes. Worked in a lift, drop technique either on the cast or vertically from a boat they are proving very effective.

 
Few if any artificial presentation has the ability to look as natural as a well presented plastic and the new Squidgie pro range are cutting edge when it comes to fluent lifelike movement. Twitched around the heads of snags or along the edges of weed beds these lures are rarely ignored for long with most predatory fish unable to resist their erratic action.  Other than the real thing, nothing looks more like a wounded minnow than a well presented soft plastic.
Small spinnerbaits are also fishing well as are Bassmans Micro Mumblers. Most small to medium sized hard- bodied lures are proving effective below the weirs and around the snags and weed beds where golden’s are most likely to congregate and hold in numbers. Bait anglers are also getting in on the action with some great captures taken on shrimp bobbed around the snags. Just like the weather the fishing has really warmed up over the past few weeks and we can expect the action to run right up to the start of cod season and beyond. So while the golden perch are running, why not  try your luck where a few hours early morning or into the evening could see a little gold put a bend in the rod.

A giant Wels catfish.

Once common along much of the Murray Darling basin, the humble eel-tailed catfish has become a rarity in many areas. Stories of good numbers and size of these fish caught locally in times past are in stark contrast to the availability and regular captures of these fish now. Numerous threats have contributed to the decline in catfish numbers, not least the predation of these native fish by introduced species like redfin and carp. Other factors include changes to natural flow and cold water pollution below dams. In recent times anglers are starting to report more captures of eel-tailed catfish especialy in the still waters around willows on bait. It seems their numbers are increasing if ever so slowly and we might one day see them return to full strength in many sections of river.

Eel- tailed catfish have been known to reach weights of 6.8 kg and can grow in length to 90cm . In the world of catfishes this is relatively small as some species of catfish can reach lengths in excess of 3 meters and weigh in at 293kg. Our native eel-tailed catfish are protected along the Murray under a blanket closure on the taking of the species. If you are lucky enough to catch a catfish it should be returned to the water with care. Be aware catfish come well armed or should I say well finned with a pair of long saw-edged spines in both the dorsal and pectoral fins that can inflict a very painful wound. Catfish feed on a variety of items that include shrimp, yabbies small fish and worms. 

While our local catfish eat a variety of foods and come armed with a couple of spikes, spare a thought for anglers wetting a line in India where it’s reported that large catfish might be snacking on the odd human. Locals believe that in the sacred Hindu Great Kali River a type of catfish called the goonch has grown large enough to predate upon humans. These giant species of catfish apparently acquired their appetite for live prey after feeding on partially burnt corpses from funeral pyres. This might help explain their size and the change from noted scavenger to that of bold hunter. It seems those that bath and wade the shallows are now a part of the goonch’s menu and do so at their own peril.  There have reportedly been several victims in as many years all linked to this giant catfish.

Thankfully our catfish are a little less fearsome and more than happy to snack on bite sized morsels. Hopefully we will see a return in catfish numbers so this small native fish can once again become a regular and abundant resident in our rivers.

A ripper squid destined for the pan.

You would be hard pressed to walk the length of any coastal jetty and not find a mix of anglers both young and old wetting a line in the hopes of catching a squid. Their popularity amongst fishos is often signified by a string of bobbling floats held taught in eager hands. There is no need for flash expensive gear when catching squid; it is a sport of humble tackle and affordable means. I guess that’s a part of what makes squid fishing so popular, that and the fact they are easily accessible to anyone that might like to chance their luck.

As table fair goes fresh caught squid runs rings around the rubber band variety many of us are accustomed to chewing on. Crumbed and fried in oil they are hard to beat and reason enough to spend a few hours on the pier trying your hand.

Basic rods and reels are gear of choice as are simple hand lines of 10lb to 15lb. Squid are not known for long sizzling runs but they do put a bit of weight on the line especially when they get a bit of size about them. They are quick to find the pylons if you don’t have enough pressure on the line to keep control.  There are two main jigs used to target squid, the first is a prawn imitation that can be cast and wound just like a lure. This is worked in a lift drop retrieve so it swims up and down just a few feet above the bottom. The second is similar to a skewer which is threaded with a small baitfish like a pilchard or mullet. This rig can be fished under a float or allowed to drift and be worked in the current with a slow retrieve. Squid respond well to burley and a few mashed up pilchards hung over the side of the pier in a burly bag will entice the squid to come in search of the scent. Other fish too will follow the fine burly trail, these will often include whiting, trevally and flathead and each of these make a welcome catch as you wait the arrival of a squid or two.

Once you have hooked a squid, retrieve it in a slow steady fashion as they will often pull free of the jig. Remember before you lift them from the water, squid are renowned for squirting a long black ink trail with very good accuracy. Leave them in the water until they have jettisoned their ink and then bring them in. Be careful when removing them from the jig as squid have a parrot like beak that can give you a nasty nip. Spring and summer are great times to fish for squid and generally coincide with seaside family holidays. Squid fishing is great fun and once you’ve caught and cooked them yourself you will quickly understand that a feed of fresh squid runs rings around the rest.

A nice golden perch caught on worms fishing the backwaters of the Murray River.

With a good flush of water coming down the Murray that is tipped to get higher over the coming weeks anglers can expect some excellent fishing in the higher than normal flows. With the rising waters awash with silt, a change from lures to bait is a productive move as golden perch seek out all manner of morsel that have been caught in the flow. Freshly covered ground offers new range for grazing fish and worms are a favourite as they hunt the clay coloured waters in search of an easy meal. Tempting a few onto the line is to seek out those areas most likely to hold foraging fish and these are not hard to find if you know where to look. Under high water conditions most fish will hold and feed out of the main flow where they can either sit and wait or move freely, unrestricted by heavy current. Here much of what they eat is delivered on the edge of the current line falling to the bottom in the calmer backwaters. Golden perch freely patrol the calm and are quick to hone in on any fresh morsel delivered.
Backwater can be found in many locations but the pockets that hide behind giant fallen gums are as good as it gets. The tree itself acts to shield the flow and behind the stump, a small calm section of water provides the perfect location for golden perch to hide in wait. Remembering the fish will be close to the bank so it pays not to cast too far out. A small sinker running straight down the line to a number 2/0 hook is a simple but effective rig. When it comes to bait in times of high flow nothing works as well as scrub worms and a couple of these pinned on a hook are sure to tempt any hungry fish. Do not be in a hurry to strike and set the hook as golden perch will often pick at bait before they finally commit to eating it. Backwater can be found in other locations depending on the flow and the naturally changing course of the river. Mud flats are particularly productive, even more so if they are in company with a few snags. The main things to remember is fish the calm water and continue to shift spots until you find the fish. Even after you have caught one or two, move on to fresh ground as most fish will be tempted within minutes of your bait finding the bottom. Over the coming month as the spring flow peaks those anglers that know where to look will realise that the rising waters while laden with clay coloured silt are also awash with gold.   

A very nice redfin landed on a 70mm Koolabung Codzilla lure.

As fish go I am sure there a few that are as well known in angling circles as the humble redfin. Since their introduction into Australia from Europe in 1860 these hardy fish have laid claim to almost every lake, dam, river or stream throughout the southern half of Australia.  Their abundance and aggressive nature make them a common encounter and their fighting ability ensures their popularity as a sportfish. Other bonuses include their eating quality. With a firm, white flesh they are a delight on the table especially when garnished with a little lemon and salt. The best time to target redfin is during periods of low light with morning and evening the most productive. Redfin can be caught on a variety of baits that include shrimps, worms and small yabbies. At other times lures are by far the most productive method, with a range of soft plastics and blades top of the list.  Redfin are an aggressive predator that likes nothing more than to hunt down and catch moving or live bait. These fish seem to enjoy the chase and it’s not uncommon to see several in hot pursuit of your lure jostling for the right to claim the prize. A good range of lures for redfin would include smaller minnow styled hard-bodied divers from 70mm and down in size. These represent the majority of smaller baitfish that redfin are most likely to encounter and predate upon. Soft plastics too are extremely effective when fished on a weighted jig head and retrieved in a lift and drop motion. Both paddle and curl tailed styles spring to life when worked in the correct manner and it’s hard to tell the difference between them and the real thing. Redfin also find small imitation plastic yabbies hard to ignore and they are often very effective when bobbed vertically from a boat. Over the last couple of seasons blades have been the number one choice for redfin and a variety of other fish for that matter. Small in size they are a flat bait styled imitation with a weighted head. The koolabung range of blades have been very effective catching some excellent hauls of fish. These lures shimmy in a natural baitfish action as they are wound through the water. Very realistic and equally as effective at enticing redfin onto the line where other methods sometimes fail. Redfin are a schooling fish and once you find them, it’s not uncommon to catch several in the same spot. Weed beds are favourite haunts for these fish as are stands of vertical structure like old trees and log piles. Spring is a great time to target redfin but is seems they have started a little early this season with some good fish already caught over the past few weeks. If you have a favourite spot to catch redfin you could do far worse than dust off the spin gear and see if they are on the chew. No doubt these fish will become more active as we head into the warmth of spring. 

Its a whole new world when the water drops.

With the lowering of the Mildura weir pool anglers can expect some fairly tough fishing over the next few weeks. One thing that’s sure to upset the feeding habits of Murray cod and Golden perch are sudden rises or drops in river heights. An oncoming rise is generally good and can often trigger Murray cod to feed before its arrival, but sudden drops like the one we are experiencing at the moment tend to  have the opposite effect shutting the fish down.  One thing the draw down will do is reveal snags mid river or on seemingly featureless banks that anglers are simply not aware of. These submerged snags are nothing short of hidden treasures in angling terms and when the river returns to normal they will hold good fish in golden perch and Murray cod.
Single snags in pockets of deep water, while hard to find are one of the hottest pieces of prime real estate for big cod. You can lay even money that any lone deep-water snag will generally house at least one large resident fish if not many, especially during the summer months. Smaller fish cruising the river use these snags as stopover points and predatory fish are all too aware. The location was chosen for this very reason; it’s a prime feeding spot. These snags can turn up anywhere, from mud flats where timber has settled during times of flood, to sharp bends where large trees have succumbed to the relentless force of the river. Even the most featureless stretch of water has the potential to hold a hot snag. While the occupying fish have moved back into the deeper holes with the falling water they will once again return when it refills.
The falling water has also had the effect to draw plenty of silt from the banks. This has made the water quite dirty.  For those intending to fish with lures use a selection in black, purple or bright fleuro patterns. When casting lures put plenty of casts into each spot before moving on as this will give any interested fish time to hone in on the lures vibrations. Same applies when trolling; work the same area back and forth several times bouncing the lures off and amongst the timber. Dirty water often fishes well with bait so it might be worth drowning a few worms or grubs on the edges of back water. And remember with the water down, hidden snags are everywhere so take your time when travelling by boat.  Other sections of river too are experiencing poor water clarity and with a good flow coming down from upstream we can expect to see this dirty water hang around for a while yet. When it comes to fishing. even when you don’t raise a scale you generally manage to take something away from the experience. In the Mildura pool water at present it’s the chance to find a heap of hidden treasures that will pin point plenty of big fish for years to come. 

Columbia fly fishing vest with Australian logo - Priceless.

No this is not some form of great new fishing gear, it’s instead a case of societie’s scum ripping off good honest working folk. Good mate and well respected angler and fishing writer Lubin Pfeiffer had almost $7,000 worth of gear stolen from his vehicle whilst fishing. The theft took place on the Spalding to Burra Road in South Australia on Friday 23rd of July at around 7.45 pm. After smashing the front driver’s window of the white Hilux Dual Cab with an old wooden white post, the thieves stole everything from the car before speeding off towards Burra. Below is a compiled list of what was taken.

2-c&f waterproof fly boxs-400 flies
Gilles waterproof fly box-100 flies
Pat swift waterproof fly box-200 flies
Tupperware container full of 15 large flies
Samadu patch, dry shake powder, 2 ginks
C&f vest fly holder
Kathmandu alloy water bottle 
6, 8, 10lb Stroft tippet
4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12lb airflow tippet spools
3 poly leaders
Uv light
Laser 4 weight floating fly line with sink tip (handmade)
Airflow ridge 5 weight floating line
5wt Sinking fly line
Forceps
Maclean’s folding weigh net
Lamson waterworks ULA reel
Red Bassman spinnerbaits hat
Daiwa spinning reel with pink 6lb braided line
Green I-pod
I-luv radio receiver
Smiggle mp3 player
Black travel bag with wheels-marked with brand name ‘Clipsal’
Trangia cook stove
Camp kitchen
Esky brand esky-with a fish inside, drinks, coffee plunger and a small amount of food
Esky brand 5L water container-blue in colour
Rossi work boots size 9
Map bag with CFS map books for mid-north, Yorke Peninsula
 Photo book full of A4 sizes photographs
2-fishing magazines
Down under swag with bedding
A red towel
Hummingbird sounder
Bag marked ‘first aid kit’ comprising of 10 packets of soft plastic lures and jig heads
Large clear blue container with-4 handled tyre level, large tow rope, Picnic blanket, Extension lead 10m
Tackle container with; 15 lures for kingfish, hooks, bridling needles, lumo beads, balloons
Tackle container with 8 squid jigs, 12 small metal lures, 2 poppers

Columbia Fly fishing vest-with Australian logo on back-priceless.

Amongst the stolen goods was a priceless piece of personal memorabilia in the form of a fly fishing vest. The Columbia Fly Fishing Vest is a part of the wardrobe that is given to anglers that represent Australia in the sport of fly fishing. 

If you are offered any of these goods, or have any information on this crime. 
Contact Tony at the Spalding police station on – (08) 88452100

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?
      

This Golden perch made short work of a cheap copy lure.

I guess the saying is true of many things and that is you “most often get what you pay for.” This is especially true when it comes to many forms of fishing related equipment, not least of all a wide range of successful and readily accepted Australian made lures. Our lure makers are amongst some of the best in the world developing a range of products second to none. We are able to achieve this because we have some of the most demanding conditions and fish alike to rigorously test the shortfalls of any poorly constructed product.  In the early stages our lures are not simply made, packaged and sold in bulk. There is an evolutionary process that sees them go through the cycle of change where every fault is scrutinised and improved until what we are left with is a marketable product that works equally well in the field. For some lures and manufacturers this can take many years and during this period they develop a following and reputation that is deserved of the hard work and effort put in.
In recent times the availability to acquire cheap imitation or copies from overseas countries has seen the Australian fishing industry and consumers alike bombarded with a number of vastly inferior products. While they may look very similar in shape, size and colour the illusion only runs skin deep. Most of these lures would be flat out passing the angry gold fish test let alone the destructive forces unleashed by a sizable Murray cod. Their buy price and cunning camouflage is what tempts the consumer the chance to save a few bucks. But in the end the loss is generally what was handed over in monetary terms and in many cases the fish that decided to chew them to bits. And don’t be duped into believing its only big fish that pull them apart, many of them are so poorly constructed that a single encounter with a golden perch will leave them in tatters. On a recent trip I was to witness this first hand where the inner wire and one treble were pulled free of the lure by a perch that would have weighed no more than a single kilo. The chance to keep a few extra bucks in the pocket becomes a lure in itself that draws you in no differently than what the angler hope’s to do with his or her cheaply acquired purchase.  How much might we pay to hook and land that fish of a lifetime? It’s too late to answer this question after your cheap copy has been chewed to bits and spat out by a giant Murray cod, for a few simple dollars I think we all know the answer to this one. When it comes to buying lures look for the Australian made logo on the pack. After all it makes good sense to use lures that are designed right here for the very fish they are intended to catch.