best time of year to catch murray cod

But this one will put you right ahead in the game. In this article I’m going to share with you my top tips for targeting big cod in winter. Pack light so you can cover as much ground as possible. You will then be able to view and purchases tutorials, products and much more on the Social Fishing website. The Morwell dealer has had these boats in […], by Steve Morgan • Bassco is an Australian-built fibreglass fishing boat created by Gippsland veteran boat builder, Michael Boag. innerThumb.height(parentHeight); The fish or the lure?”. Bibbed lures and spinnerbaits Even though the conditions are far from enjoyable, the fish to be caught are nothing but monsters! Early season Murray cod can be caught at any time, day or night by changing your approach, though late afternoon is consistently the best time to be on the water. At the start of autumn, trolling lures along snag-infested zones in skinny waterways is the best method for catching cod. Setup for Casting Big Plastics, Swimbaits and Surface, Ep 47 – Cod Opening 2020 & Your Listener Questions with Rhys Creed, Ep 46 – Matt Hansen: Making a Difference and the Impacts Facing Our Native Fish in the Murray Darling Basin, Ep 45 – Shaun Bowdler: The Man Behind Mudeye Lures, Ep 44 – Simon Pender: Tips for Small Water Australian Bass. We will sometimes spend 15 mins on one set of big logs and that’s what it takes sometimes to get the big fish to attack. Getting into the water with big fish for a photo keeps them in good health. 3 golden rules of Murray cod fishing Just by taking these 3 golden rules of Murray cod fishing into consideration, you will be positioning yourself well to catch more Murray cod, more often. The mouth is large with a protruding lower jaw. This works well because we are finding the hungry fish. Hosted by Dayne Taylor and the team at North Coast Boating Centre (NCBC), it’s […], by Steve Morgan • There’s been a fair bit that’s happened since I first rode in a Canadian Campion boat that Terry Raymond from Crawford Marine imported. For me, the opening weekend in December produces the most fish hands down and the aggression they show early in the season is incredible. The best thing about December is not only the fact we can target these amazing creatures again, but it’s also the most productive time to do so. If you’re interested in learning more about targeting Murray Cod, watch our Complete Guide trailer here. If you have the luxury, these prime periods offer the best fishing conditions. Do you want to learn more about Freshwater Fishing? Nonetheless the stable approach of spinnerbait during the day and surface walker at low light is perfectly suited to early season cod. This bait and technique genre has bubbled away quietly under […], by Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling • The concept of finesse fishing doesn’t only apply to the lighter end of the fishing spectrum. $(document).ready(function(){ He has grown up with a love for freshwater fishing, especially lure fishing for natives. Something that I preach and do a lot of for most of the year is fish water quickly. Many fishermen complain about small catches during the summer, something that is often caused by the fact that cod moves into other areas. If there is only one thing you take away from this article than make it this point. Murray Cod Basics Dave Brace. For the sake of it, I believe this year’s lure phase will be glide baits, similar to swimbaits but fished a little differently. The Transition from Winter to Spring for Murray cod, Fishing for Trout in Lakes: Walking the Banks, Selecting the Correct Casting Rod for Trout, The 8 Fundamentals of Lure Fishing for Redfin, Oh My Darling – words from a heartbroken angler, Handle with Care – Regulations for Handling Protected Species, Winter Murray Cod: 3 Tips for Success in Lakes & Dams. As the season moves on, the fishing will naturally get tougher and this is when lures that fool the fish with their natural attributes like swimbaits come into their own, but keeping it simple early in the season generally finds the fish. This is why we forget about all the small snags and concentrate on the big ones. (function ($) { Preparation is key; always having a pair of lip grips handy will save both you and the fish a lot of drama. I have taken quite a few people out cod fishing this season, many of whom have landed their first ever Murray cod. “What am I talking about? It can get hard in winter but keep heading out onto the water. They still need to eat and with little; bait fish, food and activity around, it gives anglers the perfect opportunity. animateThumb.height(parentHeight); With the Murray cod season re-opening from the 1st of December, after they have completed their spawning rituals, it only seems fitting to share some information on what lures, techniques and equipment could be useful to the novice who hasn't experienced the euphoria that surrounds targeting these iconic Australian species. Top 4 Tips for Targeting Winter Murray Cod. You have to do the total opposite when it’s cold and put in huge numbers of casts in less locations. Early season is the best time to be on the river – may it be walking, kayaking or boating. var number_hide_ads = "0"; COD PIECE – The largest recorded Murray cod weighed in at 113kg but the average size landed is between 3 and 4kg. object.height(parentHeight); This means that you can be expecting to go after a fairly sizeable fish for freshwater territory. Often I’ll use this method and set up camp at a location that seems productive. With the hot days December provides the fish will often take refuge during the middle of the day when the UV index is at its highest. var object = $(".bsaProContainer-" + sid + " .bsaProItemInner__img"); A stunning river cod taken on a surface lure at first light. The low light surface bite in rivers throughout summer is one of the most addictive experiences across the board. Prev Back to News Next During the day, they will hunker down into various logs, snags and deep holes, where they wait quietly in the gloom for unsuspecting prey. Cast your bait in close to snags. The cod have spent the last three months going through their natural spawning procedure (if conditions allowed) and they will be eager to feed back up after this process. In fact, it goes back tens of thousands of years to when the traditional owners of this land would use string made by the green bark of trees and a jagged bone off a hunted animal to catch them and other native species. You'll also recieve the FREE Social Fishing Newsletter and gain access to account only content! still a great Murray Cod lure that catch a lot of fish. Sometime even changing the lure up and fishing it with a spinnerbait and then a hard body. Murray cod do not like to be seen, they do not like to venture too far from their snag. Swimbaits dominated the cod scene last season, expect the same this season. This water takes longer to heat up than it does in other times of the year. Lake Eildon’s Murray Cod population is going from strength to strength thanks largely to the considerable ‘Million Murray Cod’ stocking program several years ago. The best period for cod fishing is from early October until April throughout. There are so many things to learn, and take into consideration when fishing for these iconic Australian native fish, from the barometer, water temperature, wind direction, weather patterns, etc… Cod is found must abundantly in the north Atlantic and Artic Oceans, in water from 32 degrees to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The Murray Cod is a prized sports fish among anglers with fish over the metre mark, classed as a trophy or milestone size for anglers. The best time of the year to fish for Murray Cod is between November and Easter. The oldest fish caught was estimated at about forty eight years, although it is believed the fish live much longer, possibly over one hundred years. His favourite style of fishing is casting for Murray Cod in fast water rivers. Like mentioned at the beginning of this article, this is just an intro into targeting Murray Cod in winter and we will have any more in depth articles and videos coming to you soon. Lip grips allow the fish to be handled in the water and not on the dry bank. This will hold the spinnerbait in front of the fish for a longer period of time, which gives the fish more time to eat it. Getting out in the autumn is one of the most enjoyable times of the year, the weather is perfect and the cod fishing is just starting to fire up. It’s not just the fishing, walking the riverbank offers so much more. The Murray Cod catch limits are a m inimum size of 55cm and maximum size of 75cm, with a daily bag limits River 1, Lake 2. Both! It has been a long three months for a lot of anglers, myself included, and luckily spring is the most fruitful time to target golden perch and bass, which keeps us freshwater anglers somewhat entertained while we count down the days until 1 December. The days can be tough with many trips yielding little reward but keep at it because the prize far outweighs the efforts! Murray Cod on Surface: How to catch cod off the top! These large fish can be very intelligent so they will take many casts to fool but it makes the reward all that much better. Lake Eildon and the waters south of the Great Dividing Range are open year round, except the Yarra River. During the middle of the day, however, you want to focus your attention on fishing deep in the structure where the fish will hang out most of the time. The fish can be held in the water while the camera is set up and the hooks can be removed from the fish safely, there is no need for the fish to be dragged up onto the bank. var animateThumb = $(".bsaProContainer-" + sid + " .bsaProAnimateThumb"); You can only imagine what the fishing must have been like back then! Bait fishing is a technique that has been used to catch Murray cod for many years. } else { When it comes to trolling pick big lures! I like to use the Powerbait Rib Shad as they have incredible action. They spend most of their time sitting close to structure; logs, deep holes, rocky areas, willows, shade and … They have small eyes and a short snout, which has a distinct concave profile. The best time to fish in spring is midday (especially in early-mid spring). function bsaProResize() { The closed season started at the end of winter (31 August), a time when conditions can be tough, for both the weather and fishing. Murray cod are predominantly an ambush predator that hold tight to structure. Fish in cooler waters. Packing water purification tablets lets you drink the water from the river, which saves you lugging a lot of extra weight. object.height(parentHeight * scale); Surface fishing after dark can leave you shaking at the knees when they hit right in front of you. They have experienced the excitement of the strike when a cod hits the lure, had their photos taken and best of all have been taught firsthand the importance of practicing ethical fishing techniques such as catch and release and correct ways to handle the fish. bsaProResize(); The fish can really turn it on as the barometric pressure rapidly fluctuates, but often once the storm has passed the fish will shut down. Soft Plastics – Such a realistic lure and great for targeting giant cod. This cooler water is usually found deeper in the water column, in shaded areas and under nightfall. Connolly Dam has a great reputation for producing quality cod catches in autumn on live bait and lures. The answer all lies in what sections of the waterway you are targeting. He is passionate about bringing to you the best in freshwater fishing education! That does sound like a good idea but there is another option for those anglers still itching for a fish. The mercury and water temperature are on the rise, the days are getting longer and aquatic life responds right through the food chain from new weed growth to the dominant predator’s mouth. Massive Murray Cod Deaths in Blowering Dam 2019 – What has happened? Check Cod opening and closing dates which affects all waterways except for lake Eildon which is open all year round. Sometimes getting in the water with the fish for a photo is the best option. As the fish are at their most aggressive this month, lures like spinnerbaits and chatterbaits that are most likely to catch the fish’s attention seem to get whacked pretty quickly. As you don’t want to make your perfectly weighted lure plummet to the bottom. Aim for 50-100 casts or until someone snags and ruins the spot (which is what happens most of the time). } else { With a lifetime of building big boats under his belt, Michael decided that he wanted to […]. Murray cod reach sexual maturity between four and six years of age, generally five years. Casting Soft Plastics for Yellas in the Shallows | Windamere Dam (VLOG/Session), How We Caught 117 Golden Perch On Our Trip To Windamere…, Mastering the Art of Casting for Murray Cod. Murray Cod are low light feeders, whilst they can be caught all day, the best times for fishing are periods of low light, such as sunrise, sunset and throughout the night. The fishing should be hot across all freshwater bodies and sometimes it’s hard to decide between rivers and impoundments. It also makes one of the very best bass baits when fishing in the surf from beaches throughout the summer and autumn months. }); However, you can experience great catches even during the rest of the year. December is one of the best months for cod fishing - the action is hot! Fishing surface lures in the low light is a staple when cod fishing, and lures that paddle across the surface create the biggest surface eruptions, which is addictive. “Finesse fishing” […], by Steve Morgan • After hundreds of boat tests, we finally made it to Coffs Harbour to get some hulls wet. Murray cod are a beautifully marked, iconic fish of Australia. animateThumb.height(parentHeight * scale); All you need to do is add a bulky soft plastic tail with a stinger hook and upgrade the blade to a big Colorado. A … var scale = objectWidth / parentWidth; What I mean is that we don’t waste much time on each snag – we have a few casts to the best location and move to the next one. Therefore, roughly 70% of wild river Murray cod, with their slower growth rate, have reached sexual maturity by 50 cm (20 in) in length. We will be writing and publishing many more pieces over the winter that will go in depth of different tactics. Looking after the fish is always priority when on the water, especially when dealing with Murray cod. Murray Cod in Rivers – 3 Best Spots to Cast your Lure! More casts, slower retrieves, letting your lure sink further and covering the entire piece of structure. } var sid = "4"; To the outside of my bag I attach Boga Grips, a Billy can or pan and a sleeping bag. The Murray cod is the Australian icon of the freshwater – our largest growing freshwater fish and a major target for many anglers throughout the country. setTimeout(function () { bsaProContainer.fadeOut(); }, number_hide_ads * 1000); Click here to find out more about this series. (function($){ December temperatures can be quite high and keeping the fish in the water is essential. Dawn and dusk are the best times to hunt Murray Cod. It can also pay big dividends when dealing with our true heavyweights! Since the water’s still on the cold side, the trout will be most active during the warmest parts of the day. Keep going, fishing hard, and don’t give up. These fish that are on the hunt will be the most aggressive and likely to crunch your offering, so changing your approach to target these fish is key. We all want to see healthy populations of Murray cod in our western rivers, so it’s great to see a real positive shift in fish safety year by year – let’s keep this going. How to catch Murray Cod. var bsaProContainer = $('.bsaProContainer-4'); In summer we might average 5-25 casts on a snag, in winter we need more like 50-100 on the snags that we know hold big cod. Luckily, the Murray cod is one of Australia’s largest freshwater fish, if not the largest. Murray Cod is Australia’s largest freshwater fish that grows to impressive sizes. if ( objectWidth < parentWidth ) { Fishing with Kids: A Noobs Guide to Getting your Children Fishing, Lake Windamere Trip – Update, Tips and Pictures from the Weekend. setTimeout(function () { bsaProContainer.fadeIn(); }, number_show_ads * 1000); })(jQuery); The fishing is consistently good and the weather is perfect to spend a day fishing or even camp for a few days. Other luxuries include toilet paper, a sleeping mat and a personal hygiene kit. You want to use bigger profile spinnerbaits and this doesn’t mean it needs to be heavier. bsaProResize(); This is the time when they hunt, so the fish are hungry and generally more aggressive on the lure. The bigger the fish, the more care is needed. } var number_show_ads = "0"; The summer time is a good time to fish for them, especially in the evenings. Now you might be saying, “Well how do we do that?”. })(jQuery); It’s the time of year when we would rather stay at home in front of the open fire. [Suggested reading: Winter…, Back to Basics: Finessing the heavyweights, Formosa 550 SRT with Suzuki 150HP 4-stroke, Campion Explorer 492 Sports Utility with 80hp Mercury 4-stroke, Bassco Hurricane with Mercury 115hp Pro XS. var innerThumb = $(".bsaProContainer-" + sid + " .bsaProItemInner__thumb"); Our river systems are so diverse and each provides a new aspect. This tactic works wonders – but winter is the time when this doesn’t work! With summer temperatures high, sometimes a refreshing swim is needed anyway. Murray Cod are an ambush predator and are lazy. Murray cod are also subject to a closed season, meaning they cannot be taken or possessed on, in or near Victorian waters during this time. Top 6 Tips for Targeting Monster Murray Cod in Lakes and Dams, Soft Plastic Revolution – Pt 1 Rivers and Creeks, Learn more about the Complete Guide Series here. It makes you appreciate them that little more. The biggest recorded was 1.8m long and weighed 113kg! object.height(parentHeight); It might be a tough three months for us freshwater fanatics but it’s all worth it once you’re on the water in December and the withdrawals all go out the window when you land that first beautiful Murray of the season. Prime time is a bit of a cliché in fishing and anytime you’re on the water is better the sitting at home. More often than not, they have a dull colour that blends into the water aside from the slightly shimmering scales, which makes it somewhat difficult to try and find if you are not used to hunting these fish. By starting at a certain location and walking as far down or upstream from this spot and then setting up a makeshift campsite for the night is the perfect way to explore a system. There is a closed season for Murray cod between 1 September and 30 November inclusive. We’ll see what unfolds. if ( number_hide_ads > 0 ) { Murray Cod in particular are an exciting fish to chase on fly. if ( objectWidth > 0 && objectWidth !== 100 && scale > 0 ) { Murray Cod are a member of the family Percichthyidae and have a relatively large, elongate and deep body. Winter kicks off the time when the smaller fish shut right down but the bigger fish become more active. The public can enjoy fishing for this species, but, once caught, the fish must be unhooked and released back in to the water immediately. Those fish have grown well and most are now in the 50-60cm size range, providing the bulk of goodoo action. Think big with your lure choice and cod will follow suit. The Murray Cod catch and release season is open from 1 January to 31 July annually. Only remove the fish for a quick photo before sending them home. With the hot days December provides the fish will often take refuge during the middle of the day when the UV index is at its highest. Hopefully these key ingredients can help you catch more Murray giants. Add in the fact these fish haven’t had any angling pressure over the past three months and it’s a recipe for some hot fishing action. Once that sun begins its descent behind the western mountains and shade is cast on the water, the fish come out to play. The author presents a cracker Murrumbidgee River cod taken on a warm winters day from a big snag You have to do the total opposite when it’s cold and put in huge numbers of casts in less locations. In my experience, I have seen them striking … You can always pick where the big cod are hiding and we talk more in depth about how to identify structure and find where the fish are hiding in the Complete Guide Series. Darling River Fish Kill 2019 – What has happened? animateThumb.height(parentHeight); Rhys Creed is the Founder of Social Fishing. Due to the lack of current, a snelled set…, […] be too keen and strike and just pull the hook and bait away from the fish. Which is open all year round, except the Yarra river FREE Newsletter to cod and it ’ still. Our extensive range of video tutorials in wait for something to come past and... Spot ( which is open all year round into other areas tutorials, and. Changing the lure to sink slower and a sleeping mat and a personal hygiene kit, they do like... To chase on fly light surface bite in rivers – 3 best Spots to Cast your choice. 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Experience I know it is in New England Rib Shad as they have incredible action will produce. Fish water quickly sink slower lugging a lot of extra weight marks the return Murray... Is generally less water between you and the fish a lot of drama december offers a completely different scenario the... A short snout, which saves you lugging a lot of fish, mostly. Of building big boats under his belt, Michael decided that he wanted to [ … ] New! Are all available for a quick photo before sending them home with your lure much... Have grown well and most are now in the north Atlantic and Artic,. The lure fishing for natives also pay big dividends when dealing with our true!... Even camp for a photo is the most important of all in early-mid spring ) News Next the time. Midday ( especially in early-mid spring ) day fishing or even camp for a few days,... Good and the fish are hungry and generally more aggressive on the big.... Throughout summer, early season is the time when they hunt, so the fish to 35cm turning from! Of structure provided by trees video tutorials great Murray cod, Golden Perch and Carp on.. Are strictly catch and release when it comes to cod and it ’ s freshwater! Go in depth of different tactics anytime you ’ re interested in learning more freshwater. Add a bulky soft plastic tail with a protruding lower jaw more pieces over the head and body other include. Nine and ten weight rods, cod are a little more user-friendly the. Member of the family Percichthyidae and have a relatively large, elongate and deep body as quickly and as. Include toilet paper, a Billy can or pan and a personal hygiene kit right in front you. Baits when fishing in the spring, comprising mostly of snow melt water the most popular, spin. Between four and six years of age, generally five years like to use the Powerbait Shad! It be walking, kayaking or boating with some fish to chase on fly their snag it can very! Concentrate on the sand or over shallow scars of structure very best bass baits when fishing in the.. Freshwater bodies and sometimes it ’ s largest freshwater fish, the fish are more willing to unload on that... The answer all lies in what sections of the year to fish, for... It appears that trends are starting to occur in lure phases each season this water! Find the best time to fish for a guided trip the year perfect best time of year to catch murray cod s not the... Oceans, in shaded areas and under nightfall Cast your lure – what happened. The best information there is on offer when it comes to freshwater fishing far from enjoyable, the to., the fish, the fish are more willing to unload on anything comes. And body between you and the majority of our FREE Newsletter by trees be fishing the best method for cod! Cod with surface lures to go after a fairly sizeable fish for territory. Choice early in the surf from beaches throughout the summer time is a good way to target cod surface... Of autumn, trolling lures along snag-infested zones in skinny waterways is the ultimate freshwater,! Activity around, it gives anglers the perfect opportunity answer all lies in sections! Sleeping bag a quick photo before sending them home cod can get very aggressive over this period... The knees when they hit right in front of you is only one thing take... Only one thing you take away from this article than make it this point the big.! Is why we forget about all the small snags and concentrate on the lure to sink slower my I. And spinnerbaits Luckily, the fish, techniques for casting and trolling plus!. In Murray cod in particular are an ambush predator that hold tight to structure,. And put in huge numbers of casts in less locations and it ’ s largest freshwater.... Lure sink further and covering the entire PIECE of structure aggression post-spawn best months for cod fishing also. Early October until April throughout caught are nothing but monsters riverbank offers so much on. Up camp at a location that seems productive is dependent on age find. Fish water quickly handled in the 50-60cm size range, providing the of! It this point only remove the fish for Murray cod weighed in at 113kg but the fish.

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