City slicker’s guide to cod by Adam Mears

For many anglers, catching Australia's legendary Murray cod is passion second to none. They live, breathe and dream about cod. Some of us west of the Great Dividing Range are lucky enough to encounter these iconic fish on a regular basis, but it's those in the big cities or those new to the country who have the dream to catch these awe-inspiring natives, and why wouldn't they?

Murray cod feed from the top to the bottom, and can be caught on a variety of techniques. And that savage first strike makes even the most seasoned angler's hands tremble.

WHERE TO START

If you are unfamiliar with areas that hold populations of Murray cod, Google can be a blessing. A quick search under 'Murray cod fishing' will bring up a few places around NSW that you can gain access to for a reasonable fee.

Monster Murray cod out of Emmaville is one such place where comfort and sportfishing go hand in hand. TV personalities like Paul Worsteling and Andrew Ettingshausen have already had great success there, and it could be a wonderful opportunity to provide the family with a picturesque holiday with the chance of catching that fish of a lifetime. The 1900 hectare private property provides clients with five impoundments to choose from that are exclusive to you for the duration of your stay.

If you'd like to try your luck in the rivers, here are some places to try.

RIVERS: PUBLIC ACCESS

Tamworth

For those with that little extra sense of adventure or willingness to find a spot along a river, it is essential to do some research before you go. Most big rivers will at some point have a bridge or a river crossing, and it's these areas that can help you find some accessible water.

The Peel and Namoi rivers in northwest NSW are two such rivers and can be accessed at many spots. A quick look at a map will reveal bridges in the area. There are also many travelling stock routes and public reserves made available for the general public located between Chaffey Dam and the Peel and Namoi rivers. Google can aid you in finding these stock routes and access points, and walking the banks up and down stream of these areas can see you connected some beautiful Murray cod or the local golden perch population.

Inverell

Located approximately 30km southwest of Inverell is Copeton Dam, a picturesque dam that is a renowned for being home to some truly giant Murray cod.

Above the dam itself is some beautiful gorge country. Its sheer cliffs and boulder-lined banks are more suited to goats than humans, but if you're feeling fit and are willing to go the extra mile, the effort can be well worth it. The river has a good population of Murray cod, with an average size of around 40-60cm bracket, and there's a good sporting chance of hooking the odd larger fish. Shallow diving lures and surface lures are the most exciting options for targeting these feisty natives; that initial 'boof' of an angry cod smashing a surface lure it is something you will never forget.

If it's a trophy fish you're after though, the dam itself is a mecca, with the deep rock bars and boulders being a known local favourite. Trolling deep diving lures is the main technique, and lures such as the Balista Dyno 90 (which gets down to 8m) are a great starting point.

Other NSW rivers that have good populations of cod include (but are not limited to) the Macquarie, Murrumbidgee, Murray, Gwydir and Seven Rivers. Many of these have public access points but often a kayak is necessary to explore more remote locations.