The Search for a XL Murray Cod

By Joshua Davey

Like many anglers, I become captivated, or some would suggest even obsessed with a particular species at a certain point in time. The constantly evolving challenges and thrill of working out how to effectively target and catch a new species is what I believe makes the world of fishing so unique and addictive. With this being the case, there is one fish that despite all my effort has managed to elude me for many years, a genuinely large Murray Cod. As many dedicated cod anglers would agree, there probably isn't a fish that can make you or break you like a Murray cod. Multiple days of casting, without a bite, or even worse, a bite that doesn't stick. I lived through it all, accumulated weeks of camping along the banks of the mighty Murray River over multiple years to still not get to feel the joy of cradling one of these genuine monsters in the icy winter waters of the Murray. The current algae bloom crisis ravaging the coastline of South Australia provided me a unique opportunity this winter. No excuses, no alternatives, just pure dedication to fishing the fresh water to finally catch one of these Murray River giants.

This trip started out like many of the others, last minute spur of the moment. I called up fellow Daiwa angler Josh Bland and before long we were on the road for a weekend camping and fishing up the Murray River. We started early, leaving my house at roughly 4am with a three-hour drive ahead of us. It was freezing cold, foggy and dead still, all the ingredients for a big cod were there and excitement in the car was building as we got closer. Upon arrival, the boat was loaded with camping and fishing gear, and our excitement grew even more upon seeing the incredible clarity of the water. All the ingredients were there for a good trip. The boat was backed into the water, turned the key, nothing. Yup nothing, typical. After a scramble around the boat, checking fuses, testing circuits and switching between batteries we found the fault to be a loose earth cable and before long we were off.

The plan for this trip was to fish shallow, with the cold snap in weather our assumption was that a lot of the fish would push up onto the shallower timber lined banks. The two of us fished the same combo:

Rod: TD Black ‘Lil Mumma’

Reel: Tatula 300

Braid: J-Braid Expedition – 50lb

Leader: Saltiga Nylon – 70lb

In our opinion, this is the ultimate combo for casting accurately all day, with the versatility to throw smaller, lighter lures, but also the ability to throw larger swimbaits if needed. Additional to this, the lighter, fast taper of the rod means that I can still have plenty of fun on smaller fish but know I have the power down low to tackle a big fish when it shows up.

Both Josh B and I opted for sinking style lures, working them methodically through the timber. It didn’t take very long for Josh to have his first hookup on a 6.2” Bait Junkie Minnow. A very respectable golden perch (or callop/yellowbelly as they are known). Coming in at 56cm, it was a great start to the trip. We kept working the same stretch of timber, slowly, methodically, making sure not to cut any corners. After not too long, I had the first little cod on deck. A very healthy fish which I wasted no time returning to the water. By this stage it was around midday, and we could tell the fishing was slowing down for the midday period. We turned our attention to the multiple golden perch we kept sounding up, while we had a quick bite for lunch.  Working the new Infeet Metal Vibes through the schools, it did not take very long to hook up on some nice sized perch. A great way to break up the day and keep spirits up between cod bites.

Not taking our eyes off the prize, recharged after some food and a few fish we pivoted our efforts back towards the cod. It didn’t take long before I had my rod nearly ripped from my hands while working a spinnerbait through some timber. After a very short run and headshake, my line went slack, pulled hooks... I was shattered, knowing full well that was likely to be my one big bite for the trip as it so very regularly goes. I checked over everything, scuffs in the line, sharpened the hooks on my spinnerbait, checked knots, leaving nothing to chance. There is nothing much worse than working so hard for one bite, only to miss it or drop the fish, when it comes to cod fishing, these 1%ers are key to success.

Trying my best to forget about the fish I just lost, we moved on. Grinding, snag by snag for the next 3-4 hours, before all hell broke loose. As always, it happens when you least suspect it. Slowly and methodically working my spinnerbait back to the boat, I had that ultra-aggressive, telltale whack from a big Murray cod. My TD Black loaded up and my Tatula started to peel line. Luckily for me, this fish swam straight out into the open, but I could tell it was big. Trying to keep it all together, I used the electric motor to follow the fish down river and tire it out bit by bit. After three spirited final dashes for freedom at the boat, the fish was in the net, and I was ecstatic. It finally happened.

The sun was setting, and the temperature was dropping but I didn't care. I wasted no time jumping in the water with this magnificent fish, I wanted to look after it as best as possible. After a nice big cuddle, a few happy snaps and a tag, the 125cm Murray River giant was sent back to the depths to harass some more carp. Soaking wet, freezing cold and with the world's biggest smile on my face, we made the call to make our way back to camp and call it a day. We reminisced around the campfire, soaking it all in. This is what it's all about.