Brett Evens and the monster murray cod he caught on a 120mm Koolabung Codzilla

Big Murray cod have been on the minds of most anglers these past few weeks and for at least one lucky angler it’s now all he can think about. You might be wondering why your newspaper feels so heavy this morning, well I guess the insert photo should just about say it all. “Oh My Cod what a beauty.” Keen angler Brett Evans from Underbool locked horns with the monster fish whilst fishing near Mildura with his father Mick. They were trolling a snaggy stretch of water when the giant fish scoffed the lure and headed for the depths. Brett says he knew he had hooked a beauty but nothing could prepare him as the monstrous fish surfaced beside the boat. He says it took a few anxious minutes to get the entire bulk of the fish into the landing net before a cheer rumoured to be heard as far afield as his home town realised the final moment of capture. Brett, a keen catch and release angler had never caught a cod over the meter mark before and in one fowl swoop he had now smashed that goal to bits. He says it was his finest fishing moment that was rounded off with a few fishy snapshots before the giant cod was returned to the river so the next lucky angler might chance to experience the thrill of the catch. I guess when you’ve got the stink anything can happen and as chance might have it not many hours on Brett was to hook and land another cod over the meter mark. Still grinning, he admits it was his greatest fishing trip ever and one that won’t be forgotten. As for the lure in question that scored the two monster cod it is aptly named after its intended target species. The Aussie made lure a 120mm Koolabung Codzilla has been a stand out along the Murray River this season and with captures like this it’s not any wonder. Brett has retired his battle scared trophy and it now hangs beside the photo that takes pride of place for all to see. 
There have been several other reports of large cod caught both trolling and casting lures the past few weeks and we can expect to hear more as the water continues to cool down. Golden perch too have been a regular catch on lures especially on the troll. So don’t be in a hurry to pack those rods away just yet as there are some serious cod lurking about in our local water more than willing to jump on a well placed bait or lure.  Who knows you too might be lucky enough to land one of Codzilla like proportions yourself.    

Anglers are starting to troll up a few cod in the pool-water these past few weeks.

As the weather cools down some form of semblance seems to be returning to our local rivers as anglers start to encounter a few green fish on lures. Most sections of pool water are starting to yield a few meter plus Murray cod and it seems that sudden shifts in barometric pressure are aligned with some red hot bites that finish almost as quickly as they start. With a regular weather pattern of large highs followed by solid fronts, anglers on the water as the pressure plummets are treated to a few hours  of solid fishing action that can see several big fish encounters in as many snags. Unfortunately the bite does not last long and these lows are generally associated with some rain providing a wet rear end whilst on the water. As the next high rolls in and the pressure spikes once again, a follow up bite is on the cards and for those fish that missed a feed on the drop it signals another chance to fill the guts before settling back into a lock jaw routine. While trolling deep divers in the pool water has been generally quiet this season, a few fish are starting to respond with several meter plus cod landed on the troll in the past few weeks. It would be a fair to attribute this renewed enthusiasm for trolled lures to a rolling drop in water temperature. As happens most seasons Murray cod begin to prepare themselves for the leaner winter months where the availability of an easy meal of shrimp and other small invertebrates becomes a rarity. Opportunities are less and the chance to feed will escalate as larger items of prey now become the primary food source. Understanding the nature of these fish is to better understand the subtle effects that trigger different feeding patterns and behavioural traits; this is where an open mind becomes a forum for better learning. Golden perch too have been quite responsive with the cooling water, with good catches in size and numbers from most areas. Several recent outings have seen them keen to hit both smaller hard- bodied lures and spinnerbaits worked around the snags and weed beds. Bait is also fishing well with anglers in the Wemen area reporting great catches of perch on small yabbies and shrimp. It seems all fish’s sense tougher times ahead as even the perch are striking the lures with surprising force. The water in the Murray from Swan Hill through to Mildura is beginning to settle and as it continues to clear we can expect to see an increase in larger fish as the winter turns on its annual run of larger Murray cod on lures.

1000 Great Places to Fish in Australia is Steve Coopers latest book that features some local Murray River destinations.

A life spent fishing is a life spent well and if it becomes a part of your day to day business then even better. And so it has been for author and noted fishing journalist Steve Cooper whom I have had the pleasure to fish with on many occasions. With fishing related newspaper columns in the Weekly Times and herald Sun Steve provides countless anglers the information that often puts a bend in the rod and a feed on the table. From top to bottom, Cooper would be one of Australia’s most travelled anglers whose chosen fishing destinations are not reliant on a flash cabin or soft sheets in a fancy hotel. For a city lad Cooper wears the country manner well and will happily scoff a feed from the pan and wash in the river at least once a week whether he needs it or not. We have kicked out the swag in many a location from the banks of the Murray River to the open ocean swell some 50 mile offshore near Wedge Island in South Australia. Sleeping on the floor of a charter boat in the lumpy brine brings new meaning to the term being rocked to sleep. Another that springs to mind is a trip mid June to the Wallagara River in Gippsland where we were lodged in an ever so humble riverside cabin. The early morning minus temperature was unaltered to the tune of a heater that resembled a red drawing and smelled suspiciously of crayon. Out on the water though, the morning chill was quickly thawed with some red hot fishing action on super sized Dusky flathead. It seemed that every where I fished with Cooper the bite was preordained and on most occasions we would leave the water smelling of fish and wearing the grin that accompanies fishing success. Several more spots come to mind, again in South Australia offshore of Whyalla I was to catch my first 10kg plus snapper this was followed by a few dozen more all caught on soft plastics. Back in Victoria and a few months on and an offer to fish for Thresher shark off Queenscliff was a trip not to be missed. Within a few hours of being on the water we were treated to the aerobatic antics of a 100gk thresher that took to the air after scoffing down one of our baits. It seems that all of these trips have two common denominators, that being excellent fishing and Steve Cooper himself. Cooper has spent a lifetime fishing all over Australia and his success comes from knowing where, when and how to fish for different species at different locations. He has placed much of this in a book simply titled 1000 Great Places to Fish In Australia. It even features some of our local Murray River destinations from Swan Hill through to Wentworth and beyond. It covers both fresh and salt water and provides not only great fishing destinations but all the tips, baits and rigs to use when you arrive. You too could spend a lifetime looking for a thousand places to fish in Australia or you could simply buy the book and spend the rest of your life fishing them.

Steve Cooper holding a solid Gummy shark.

What a great time of the year to wet a line as wherever you look most species of fish seem to be on the chew. Along the southern coastline, Kingfish and Blue fin tuna are feeding out wide and anglers are gearing up for some long awaited fun. If you don’t have the means to travel the distances offshore often needed to target these fish then don’t panic, as there’s plenty more on offer a little closer to shore.  In our sheltered bays and harbours small boat owners are catching plenty of big whiting and snapper and a good run of calamari squid has anglers grinning to the tune of a great feed. It’s almost a fishing platter as there are so many scale clad treats available for the catching. Off the beaches, Mulloway and a variety of sharks are carving their way through a number of different baits that include arrow squid, pilchards, salmon and mullet. Weed is about your only problem as it makes fishing the surf hard work. But get it right and the rewards are often very sweet. You just never know what’s coming next from the beach with some absolute monster rays set to test your stamina and tackle to the distance. Gummy shark have been numerous in number both offshore and land based with some hefty fish weighing at 30kg or more. Remember these larger models are generally breeding females that should be returned to the sea. As there are plenty of smaller sharks being landed in the mix, it’s not hard to pick up a feed. In many estuaries including the Glenelg River on the Victorian, South Australian border anglers are cashing in on a good run of school jewfish on bait and lures. Bream have also been prolific on bait and some excellent estuary perch have been caught casting small minnow styled lures around the downed timber and the undercut banks. In many of the larger inland lakes redfin have been a winner with some fish weighing in at 2kg or more. Hume has been a consistent spot and there’s always a chance at a giant cod or a thumping golden.  Anglers are still catching a few golden perch along the Murray on bibless lures and spinnerbaits and a few cod are being landed on an assortment of baits and lures fished around the snags. As mentioned earlier, it is a great time of year to wet a line as it seems that everything sporting fins and scales is happy to have a feed. From here on in as we head towards some kinder weather, fishing in our own local waters will only improve.       

Yum- A great feed of yabbies.

On a recent yabby fishing expedition I come to realise first hand that the humble farm gate chain might possibly be the most expensive metal known to mankind. Or at least it might seem that way to those that scratch out a living from the land. Each and every link is valued to the point that to squander but one extra to allow for ease of opening, would be nothing short of a terrible waste. Over time in the bid to preserve links, many farmers have developed their own specific set of angles and weight related positions required to gain enough slack chain to slip the latch. To understand the way of the link is to spend many years on the land and even then you will happen upon those that will test you to your very core. And so it was as we pulled the Ute to a stop right in front of what could best be described as the gate from hell.  Shining in all its splendour, it had centre piece a big red Private property badge beaming forth for any would be passers to take heed. No problems there, as we had full permission to venture beyond its bounds where we would bask in the yabby rich waters that were now but a few hundred meters away. Ten minutes on and it was more than evident that the placement of the keep out sign just like the links of chain, could have been another on farm saving. Whilst pondering the right of passage, a wayward arm brushed the electric fence and believe me there was no shortage of cash wasted on this little beauty, as it reverberated every joint from head to toe. The after effects were a mild tick and stutter as we gave the gate a miss and hoofed it across country, bait nets and bucket in hand. For the next few hours we caught numerous big fat yabbies on string lines baited with fresh meat. With the bucket full to overflowing we headed back to the gate, climbing over carefully to avoid the chances of another shock. Later that day, talks with the farmer on the gate in question revealed the effects of the drought had pulled the chain tight to the point that it could not be opened. There was however another gate just down the road a little that would have provided access had we known. But he did go on to say that there was a trick to this other gate as it could only be opened by looking to the north whilst standing on one leg, singing the national anthem with your tongue hanging out. And even then it was a struggle. We have decided to shout a new gate chain on our next visit and while this humble string of metal may not may be made of gold, the chance to catch a feed of yabbies from a private dam is.