Beginner’s Tips: Murray Cod by Kim Bain

As winter starts to close, all I can think about is that it's my last chance to head out west and chase Murray cod. And I hate wasted opportunities.

Before the cod season closes in September, I'll be making my way out to Goondiwindi and over the border through country NSW along the New England highways. This will be my third cod trip in the last four seasons. I don't get down there every year but I go close to being a regular for the last 10 years. I have some regular spots that I like but I have just as much fun in finding new water just down the end of the next road...

There are publications by Queensland and New England based tourism offices that show the many public access cod fishing spots in these areas. There is no better place to start than grabbing these charts, unfolding a road map and tapping in to Google Earth on your laptop (How did we ever survive before Google Earth?).

As you travel, glean as much information as you can from local pubs and accommodation houses. The Commercial Hotel in Deepwater, NSW for example provides great accommodation and has a lot of cod anglers amongst its regular patrons. Tackle shops are also a reliable source of good knowledge; buy a few lures and pick up some tips.

The cod in many of the areas are supported by local stocking programs so help out with a donation (or buy some raffle tickets in the pub) as a way of thanks for your opportunity to enjoy the fruits of the stocking groups' efforts.

And finally, as part of your preparation, check the licence requirements and closed season rules before you go. There are differences each side of the QLD/NSW border. In some cases, being right or wrong, could depend on which side of the river you are standing on.

WALK THE BANK

The focus of this article is targeting cod while walking the banks.

Once you are on the river, look for overhanging willow trees where the cod are likely to shelter. The best water is deep with good current flow, but even shallow water can hide some monsters.

If the river has been cleared to the banks then other types of shelter will become very important. Focus on steep banks, undercut banks, deep holes, reeds in deep water and, if you can get it, running water flowing into deep holes.

In open holes any type of lure will do the trick. Deep divers with trebles hooks have always been a favourite of Aussie lure anglers. However, in locations with more weed and/or snags then I prefer weedless lures like weedless rigged soft plastics, spinnerbaits and Scum Frogs.