Pindari.. Dropping, Dirty and Productive!!

I don’t often spend too much time up at the dam, however after some success last season I’ve decided to spend a bit more time getting to know the dam and learn how to fish impoundments.. The dam has been releasing large amounts of cold, dis-coloured water lately which has been making the river below difficult to fish, meaning that I am often left with the dam to fish. The dam however, as it drops but also gets occasional large in-flows the water clarity drops and algae levels rise and drop, often off turning conditions.

However I’ve started with kayaking around a bit. I’ve managed to run into one good fish from the kayak in the past which towed me around shortly before I pulled the hooks, however it wasn’t until a short session Sunday just passed that I managed to really find the fish. Casting large spinnerbaits amongst the standing timber I managed my first kayak Cod from the dam.

Gangster Lures Mother Frogger

This was then followed by a decent Golden Perch which attacked the large spinnerbait 10-15 times before finally hooking itself on the stinger hook.

Gangster Lures Mother Frogger

After that successful short session, I was back up the dam today, this time in a small tinny with a small motor allowing for access to parts of the dam otherwise un-fishable. Getting right amongst the timber I was quickly onto a very thick, healthy Cod.

Gangster Lures Mother Frogger

Only another two casts back through the trees and rocks behind me and I was back on to another fat little Cod.

 

Gangster Lures Mother Frogger

Now working out the sort of structure and banks we had to fish around, we headed off to find another area which was similar. The next place we came across another fish was hooked but then soon dropped. Following this we continued on to find a couple more places to try, the second of which seen another decent fish follow threw hitting the lure a number of times before hooking up solid and battling through the trees..

 

Gangster Lures Mother Frogger

The numbers may not match the other places which I fish, but the quality of the fish is definitely greater. I can see many more fish and some good fish coming from this great bit of water, stay tuned for more reports and even a few of my growing techniques for impoundment Cod fishing!

Tackle Used:

Rod: Banax Vanessa 6’6″ 2pc 10-14lb
Reel: Banax Syren
Lures: Gangster Lures Mother Frogger

Season Update

Lately I’ve spent less time not fishing then actually fishing and I’ve been having a ball!! I’m currently 27 days into the season and have a tally of 63 cod for the season, 13 above my target for December and well on my way to my overall goal of 150 or even 200 for the season. However, with spending so much time on the water I’ve had no time to update the blog! So here’s a few quick photos to catch up a little.

Fishing with Rod and Jay Full sized collage at http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb394/Joe-Press/425751_553891567973505_249644407_n_zpsef4fa8b5.jpg

I hit up  a bit of river on my own one afternoon and finished up landing 13 cod, 2 bigger (60cm and 61cm) on surface as the sun set.

Hydrobug Jerimiah Surface

Also had one session where we were sight-casting the odd fish in shallows, ending up with 17 cod.

Cod sun-baking (middle of image on sandbank)

Another impressive session seen 35 Cod and 1 Golden

 

Full sized collage at http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb394/Joe-Press/547365_559650190730976_221859764_n_zpsb118fcd4.jpg

Not to mention all the other sessions with a few fish caught..

Gangster Lures Mother Frogger

Kingfisher Mantis

 

 

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First Trip Back Home

After getting back from disappointing fishing at the Cod Classic, I was more then keen to get out in my local area. After school my first day back, good mate Josh and I were on our way to the river for an afternoon of kayaking and fishing.

After getting to the river a bit too much mucking around was done making for a later start. The session started promising with me missing one fish only a couple of minutes in. However this was was the only sign of active fish for over an hour, apart from watching a Yellowbelly swim around a weed bed.

Josh had parked his kayak on some rocks and was throwing his lure amongst some deeper rocky water. It was not long before he yelled out that he was on and had his first fish for the season.

Hydrobug Severn Chances

As the afternoon was running out the fish came about to be a little more active. Josh was retrieving a large fouled-up lure across the surface when it was hit by a promising fish. Not long after this, flicking into trees lining the riverbank I watched as a pleasing sized fish shot up and attacked my spinnerbait. After a bit of dragging around and maneuvering the fish around rocks I had it in my net, measuring at 67cm I was more then happy with my first river fish for the season.

Gangster Lures – Black & Gold Bidgee Bait
(please excuse blurry photo)

After a release and re-gather of gear, I made another cast, this time into the next tree along the bank. As the lure dropped I noticed a tap and then once beginning the retrieve I felt a more solid hit which managed to hook up. I soon netted our third and final fish, this guy being much smaller.

Gangster Lures – Black & Gold Bidgee Bait

This was the last of the fish before we packed up the kayaks and headed home. Not a firing session but both us managed at least one making it a worthwhile time kayaking some lovely river.

The Lures Used: Hydrobug Jeremiah – Purple
Gangster Lures Bidgee Bait – Black & Gold

No Luck On The Gold

Today I managed my first day off in quite a while so of course a days fishing was in order. My plan for the day was to begin the morning targeting Redfin in a small creek and then the afternoon on the river targeting Yellowbelly.

The morning was a slow start and I hit the water a bit over two hours after I’d planned to. In a shallower reach of a larger hole I spotted a gold Carp with a school of smaller dark coloured Carp sitting just beneath. After closer examining all of the fish I notice an ugly duckling amongst them, a large Silver Perch was swimming around amongst the school of Carp. I carefully place my lure behind the school and slowly retrieve the lure along the edge of the fish. Passing the school the Carp continue on as they were and the Silver shoots out and begins to chase my small lure. In a flash the fish takes the lure and quickly darts toward me where it drops the lure and shoots off.

Missing the fish was quite a disappointment, but previously in the week I thought that I’d seen a Silver (super rare) and this just proved it for me, which lightened the situation up for me.

I had then continued on fishing the creek until after lunch for not another sign of a fish and quite a sunburn.

After a quick lunch and preparation for the afternoon session I was on my way out to the next destination. My lure of choice was a smaller, thin lure I had made a bit over a year ago called a ‘Flat Bait’. At the first hole I fished I cast towards a large rocky outcrop, my lure had only just made it to its full depth when it was hit solidly. The fish took a quick run sideways, a common Yellowbelly run, but then it surfaced to headshake showing a decent river Cod of up around 70cm. It took a bit with the lighter gear but I quickly got the fish to the bank where I grabbed a quick photo and then released it.

Pressy Lures – Flat Bait

The next cast was placed in a similar position as the last and seen a thin underbelly roll at the lure just as I began the retrieve, I quickly landed and released another Cod of around 45-50cm.

Pressy Lures – Flat Bait

Leaving the rocks as they seemed to only be producing Cod I moved into some shallower quicker flowing water with some deeper holes former by currents. My first cast through I brought the lure with the current bouncing it over the snags and then ripping it into the deeper areas. As the lure got to about a metre in front of me a reasonably large Yellowbelly flew from no where and grabbed the lure and ran with the current.

The drag was still set tight from trying to rush the Cod and the fish still managed to strip the line about 10 metres into some still water, where I managed to turn it for a moment before the lure pulled and the fish disappeared into the deeper water. After closer inspection of the lure I realised that the front treble had been ripped off, a great disappointment.

After fixing up the lure with some new hooks and split rings I continued on to a place where I’ve not found as many Cod as other areas, leaving a greater chance for a larger population of Yellowbelly. Casting towards a very fishy snag my line wraps around the front treble of the lure, causing it to foul up and not swim properly. As I drag it back twisting around on the surface to un-tangle it the water from beneath it erupts as the smaller lure is sucked in by a large Cod.

I tighten the drag up even more but the fish persists in burying itself amongst timber and running through rocks, I listen as the highly tensioned line runs and rubs against various structures. Eventually after a few tense minutes of battling a well above average river fish of ~80cm I had it at my feet for a couple of quick photos before an extremely healthy release.

Pressy Lures – Flat Bait

After releasing the fish I had to cut off about 4 metres of braid as well as get a new leader because of the amount of damage to it, one section of braid I only lightly tugged and it snapped clean. On the light gear it was amazing I kept the fish on as long as I did and a miracle that managed to land it.

Just upstream in another smaller, quick flowing hole I hooked and lost two fish in only a couple of casts. However both hit and fought as if they were Cod so I wasn’t very worried about losing them. I then managed to hook and land yet another small Cod of about 40-45cm. I quickly released this guy without a photo.

While walking back to the ute to move on and try to find somewhere with even less Cod and possibly more Yellowbelly I cast along a tree where I received two quick taps, lightening my hopes of a Yellowbelly, however the next cast through produced another little cod.

Pressy Lures – Flat Bait

After this fish I was faced with the hard but somewhat necessary decision to change lure. I did manage to tempt the one Yellowbelly which was really getting my hopes up of finding my first for the Spring and first on my own lure, but this little lure of mine was really proving to attracted too many cod which wasn’t what I was after.

After a lure change I moved on to a different location to fish the last bit of light which was left. I tried a variety of different lures from 40mm – 60mm and then a spinnerbait for the final 20 minutes but to no avail apart from one fish hooked and lost just on dark.

The Tackle Which Done The Damage

The rod and reel combo which I used today was the Snake Skin Sports spinning combo from the article Hunt For The ‘All Rounder’ Part 1′. The combo may have really got pushed with the bigger fish but still done its job perfectly and held on strong with a smooth but tough drag. The 2-4kg rating allowed for the ability to easily cast a variety of lure weights.

Coping With The Close

The close season has seen me working almost every single day, in the goal of funding some BIG plans for the up and coming cod season. I’ve only managed two sessions since the close, one at the start of the week targeting river Yellowbelly. The result of the two hour long session was:
– 3 lures lost
– 7 new leader connections tied
– 1 cold swim
– Not one single touch or follow

And then to top it all off, once returning to the ute I managed to get  bogged and stuck in a mixture of small stones and sand. Far from a successful trip.

Luckily I also managed to get out on the water today after a morning exam. Firstly a mate of mine Josh and I headed to lake Pindari for a quick shore-based fish. However within less then an hour all hope was lost from pure frustration coming from a mixture of lures being caught, lines getting caught with the wind, rubbish everywhere and a small number of set-lines.

While on our way back from the dam we spot a mob of goats on the road, for a bit of a laugh we jumped out to chase them. The larger goats managed to make a quick escape but we did end up getting a smaller kid which was left behind.

First catch for the day..

Without giving up hope we decided to adventure along a small creek, once again having little luck. Not long before it was time to pack up I decided to downsize my lure to a small lure that I made myself over 12 months ago for chasing Bream and Bass. After a few casts I launched the lure with the wind a quite decent distance. The lure had made it just about back to my feet when I was hit, no hook up, but a first sign of fish always lightens the mood for the day.

After half a dozen casts panning around the same area with varying retrieves and as my alarm to leave went off, I was hit only a foot or two from me (standing knee deep in the water) this time with the hooks sticking as the fish ran back to the deep water. After quickly turning the fish away from any possible snags in the deeper water it actually swam past me, revealing a decent sized redfin which actually swam itself almost up the bank to beach itself, making it very easy to land.

Pressy Lures Bream Bait

At 39.3cm i didn’t have a personal best but was still very pleased with the decent fish on one of my own lures (which hadn’t yet been christened). Also managing a fish will also help to get through the long Murray Cod closed season, not to mention the many hours spent at work and school.

The combo which I used was the Snake Skin Sports combo which can be found in the article Hunt For The ‘All Rounder’ Part 1

Bring on the big cold, bring out the bigger cod!

It’s pretty well known that fish and especially our natives such as Murray Cod are much more active in warmer water and as a result fishing does become tougher as the weather cools right off. But as the weather does become rather cold the larger fish tend to stay reasonably active. Making for long trips with plenty of work put in but often very rewarding in the size of fish caught.

After experiencing our first couple of frosts for the year and temperatures getting well below zero I would have been mad not to organise a trip with my best mate, Shannon, out to some water I know for its bit more quality of fish.

After setting up the camp we walked down to the water to find that is was rather low and crystal clear. Visibility was amazing with you being able to see perfectly as far as possible, seeing the bottom of the river no matter where you went.

With perfect conditions for doing so, we began the trip first by kayaking a large hole. The cold weather was proving itself with not even a touch for the first 45 minutes. However finally I dropped my spinnerbait down in front of a rock where as soon as I began my retrieve I see a large dark shape appear from no where. The fish hit hard in plain view but somehow didn’t manage to hook up. Seeing as this was at the bottom of the hole we decided to work our way down river from here.

The water downstream was equally as clear with sightings of eel-tailed catfish in a few small holes. Reaching some holes I had caught fish in before I realise that they too are extremely low, I also found out how cold the water really was whilst trying to save a snagged lure.

Moving down further to another large but predominantly shallow hole I look under a tree next to the bank and quickly point out to Shannon a large Yellowbelly just sitting there. Many lures were brought past it and even dropped on its nose for not sign of interest at all.

Now keeping our eyes open we start to notice many cod ranging from about 50cm to up around 70cm and large Yellowbelly all sitting in tight to the snags. Amazed enough with the fish we were seeing I soon hear Shannon yell out to me as an absolute monster of a cod, which would be well over a metre, slowly swims through the snags in front of us.

Many casts are put out and retrieved in front of the massive river fish and once again lures dropped on its nose but the gentle giant just continued to swim along as slow as he had been, not even taking any notice.

Now amazed by the fish we had seen but yet to catch a fish ourselves we decided to head off even further down river. Traversing through thick trees, jumping from rock to rock and hiking many kilometres we found very few fishable holes. Shannon did manage one solid hook up to a large fish in a small hole that just stripped drag for a few seconds before throwing the spinnerbait.

With the water being so shallow yet there still being plenty of fish holding in and along rocky points I made the bold move of chucking on a soft plastic, something I’d generally use in the warmer months.

The soft plastic proved a good option with often having small fish fly up from rocks and hitting the tail of the lure hard. Sadly hook ups weren’t proving very strong with all the little fellas dropped.

Finding another large hole our excitement grew only to be disappointed as we realise it is loaded full of sand from the floods and mostly not much over a foot deep. However finding a deeper bit of water with a slight drop off behind it I flick out my plastic. Only one flick of the tail and a smaller fish flies up and grabs the lure.

One quick run and I had dropped another fish. After dropping the fish I continue the retrieve in giving the plastic a very slow wounded looking action when from only about 2 feet of water a very nice fish appears and just devours the plastic and is solidly hooked in the top of its mouth.

The fish ran hard straight away and fought very hard with many head shakes and erratic behavior while I was trying to get him to the bank. Every time the fish would turn and throw its head I would feel my entire body going numb as I dreaded the hook pulling or straightening with the weight of the fish. Also as I brought the fish in closer there were 3 more smaller cod swim in behind it to take a look.

Finally I had the fish at the bank to find that it was in fact a new river fishing personal best coming in not far below 80cm. Sadly my mate didn’t realise the camera was on the wrong setting and the photos came out blurry but luckily I managed to resurrect one enough to see the fish.

13cm Gladiator Smash Bait, baitfish, on 1/4oz jig head

Now extremely happy with my efforts and the visuals that came with it I marched on even further downstream for a couple of kilometres. Finally we had reached a point where the lack of food packed for the trek had made our hungry selves turn around and begin our very long journey back to the camp.

Getting back to camp not long before dark we quickly filled ourselves with food before heading along the river for a surface fishing session. On the surface the fish were rather quiet in the beginning with only one small fish hitting behind my lure. However after turning around to head back and fishing over the water we’d covered earlier things did heat up a little.

A cast over shallow water leading into a drop off seen an extremely loud “VOOMP” noise underwater as a large fish turned at my lure and produced a bow wave that pushed it a few metres along the surface. Many cast were had back over the same place and area but for no luck.

After giving up on that fish and moving along slightly I cast right across river and began my retrieve. By the time the lure had reached mid-river a massive explosion erupts as a very large fish breaks the surface behind my lure. However once again the fish would not return.

Not long after this we were back at camp for another feed, mucking around and then into our swags around the camp fire to end what had been a bit of a slow day on the water.

However through the night I roll over in my swag to see that the fire had gone out. I had plans to get up before the sun and start my fishing early so I thought it best to get up now and re-light it so that it was still going for the morning as temperatures were very low.

After getting the fire roaring I decide that it would be pointless getting up and not having a quick flick below the camp despite knowing the water was mostly only around a foot deep. I quickly grab Shannon’s rod and head down to fish in the light of the fire.

First cast straight out in front, nothing. Second cast to the side, nothing again. Third cast I place back out in front of me and retrieve with a stop, start all the way in to my feet where I hear the familiar “VOOMP” I had heard before. Now excited I cast back out again using the same retrieve, nothing again. One more cast back mid river now using a steady, slow, constant retrieve when water is thrown everywhere as the lure is ambushed and devoured.

As the rod loaded up I began screaming out to a sleeping Shannon who refused to wake up. I turned on my headlight to provide more light as I fought the fish. This fish was not fighting like the last one but choosing to take long powerful runs which at times seemed impossible to stop. Getting the fish in the water in front of me I seen its size and began to panic and continued to scream out to Shannon.

Eventually I managed to land the fish on my own. From here I took it up, kicked Shannon while he slept and got him to help me with the photos, unhooking, measuring and release.

This fish now topping my last fish and smashing its way up to a tied personal best biggest cod for me.

Hydrobug Jerimiah Surface Lure

A shot down the fish..

Now of course following this fish I couldn’t sleep from the adrenaline so it was out for a night time kayak fish. However the fish did not play and we soon returned frozen to the warmth of the fire and swags.

Keeping to my plans of getting up before the sun I quickly kicked out the kayak in the crisp morning air. Many hours were once again spent out on the water, even seeing fish sitting underneath me, but for no result.

Eventually we gave up on the fishing for a while and decided to have our fun taking the kayaks down rapids and small falls.

As the afternoon wore on we decided to head out for a quick fish again before heading home. This time walking again.

The fish were once again very quiet with only the occasional little guy chasing a lure or aggressively hitting a lure as it went over its home. Time soon got the better of us and we had to head back, only fishing in the occasional spot.

One little spot to catch my eye on the way back was a steep undercut bank, here I told Shannon to have a cast but he chose not to so I quickly threw my lure along the bank. Part way in I watch as a nice little cod flies out from underneath the bank and attacks the lure. After grabbing the lure it didn’t fight near as hard but was still very great to see. This fish wasn’t as big but still over legal.

Hydrobug Severn Chances

With time now up this fish marked the final for the trip. Not many fish caught but definitely what I’d consider successful even if Shannon had lucked out this time around.

 

The Gear Used:

The two combos used was a Banax Syren matched with a Banax Vanessa 10-14lb, 6’6″ 2 piece rod and a Banax Avalon matched with a Gladiator Cape Yorker 8-10kg, 1.2m kayak rod. These two rods are extremely easy to maneuver through the rough country with whilst still offering ultimate performance casting accurately and at distance with varying sizes of cod fishing lures.

The 3 lures that done the damage include:
13cm Gladiator Smash Bait, baitfish soft plastic on a 3/4oz jig head.
Hydrobug Jerimiah
Hydrobug Severn Chances

Copping a Flogging

After the success of the previous weekend the 4 of us found time to get out for a few hours the following Sunday. This time fishing a different stretch of water where I was told there was near no fish. However, without seeing the area apart from maps I swore that there should be a plentiful amount of Yellowbelly (or Golden Perch) about, but Jake on the other hand who had fished it before swore there was almost no fish in that stretch.

Pushing the boat out we began our drift downstream casting into the deeper pools with a wide variety of lures. Everything from large and small hardbodies to spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and lipless crankbaits but the fish proved very difficult.

Eventually Jake got a few taps from under a tree where I followed up with a cast where I too was hit and hit again to hook up for only a second. Next it was Mal’s turn who also recieved a few bumps from what was proving to be a rather persistent territorial fish. Now it was Dillan’s turn and after a couple of casts the fish came back and smashed his lure not too far short of the boat.

The fish was quickly fought, landed, photographed and then released to fight another day.

Hydrobug Chaser

Continuing our way down in the boat we had a few taps and nudges but nothing was being overly aggressive. Eventually I convinced Jake to head to the hole I believed to be ‘Golden’.

Wadding out on a submerged sandbar which stretched right out into the river Dillan’s chaser was quick to be attacked again. This time after an extended fight a healthy little Yellowbelly was brought to our feet.

Hydrobug Chaser

After a measure and release Dillan walked back out along the sand bar where he was immediately hit the next cast followed by the next cast being smashed at his feet by yet another hard fighting Yellowbelly.

Hydrobug Chaser

After Dillan scoring 3 consecutive fish on the Chaser’s the other two made there swap over to a couple of purple Chasers while I stuck to my bigger lures chasing a ‘Cod on the Cast’.

Mal was quick into the action with being hit at the bank by a very large Yellowbelly. The follow up cast into the same spot he was hit hard halfway back this time setting the hooks and landing a fat Murray Cod. After unhooking the fish and as I measured it Mal had another cast into the same spot where he hooked up to another cod, this time the cod winning the battle with some pulled hooks. A quick cast straight back in seen the Yellowbelly from earlier smash the lure at his feet again, this time hooking him but after a while into the fight the hooks were pulled once again. What a few casts to get the adrenaline pumping.

Hydrobug Chaser

After releasing the fish Mal returned where only a few casts in, his magic worked again and he was on once again. This time to another smaller Yellowbelly.

Hydrobug Chaser

After a few more flicks another few fish were hooked and dropped. A very productive ‘Golden’ hole which proved to be a little ‘Green’ as well.

As the fish quietened off we headed off downstream. Walking the banks we found some beautiful water but the fish just weren’t playing, especially for Jake and I who were still yet to land a single fish. In fact I hadn’t had a single hit in my predicted ‘Golden’ hole.

Further downstream Jake made a cast out into the river and retrieved his lure back in under an eroded bank. Here he received a few short taps followed by a solid take and some long hard runs. With a bit of fumbling down the bank a hard fighting Eel-tailed Catfish was landed.

Hydrobug Chaser

We eventually made our way to the end of the hole, found a way to cross and began our trek back upstream. Still flicking to anywhere that looked likely but to no avail.

We soon made our way back up to the productive submerged sandbar where we had our luck earlier in the day, just from the opposite side of the river this time. Jake made his first cast where he claimed to be getting hit close to the bank. His next cast the same and the next few casts after that as well. Eventually the fish stopped just tapping and had a proper go at the lure and felt the front trebles which stuck beautifully in the side of its mouth.

Hydrobug Chaser

Sadly the trip was shortened by other commitments. Meaning this fish was the final fish caught for the trip.

This couple of hour trip while the barometer dropped seen Mal catch 1 Murray Cod and 1 Yellowbelly, Jake catch 1 Yellowbelly and 1 Eel-tailed Catfish and young Dillan come out at the lead with 1 Murray Cod and 2 Yellowbelly. Leaving myself to a depressing total of 0!

The gear used included

Banax Vanessa 10-14lb, 6’6″ 2pc matched magnificently to a Banax Syren with 6kg Gladiator Bonzai braid and 15kg ASSO fluorocarbon leader.

Gladiator Cape Yorker (kayak rod) 1.2m, 8-10kg matched to a Banax Avalon filled with 10kg Gladiator Bonzai braid and 15kg ASSO fluorocarbon leader.

The lure which truly proved its worth and was the only lure to land a fish was the good old Hydrobug Chaser in varying colours.

Exploring New River – Day 2

With the success of the first day we had planned to get up early and head back and do some further exploring. However a missed alarm seen us not getting up until much later then intended and by the time preparations and the mornings coffee was drunk we did not head off to the river until late morning.

Reaching the river with the help of a new recruit, Dillan, who had decided to tag along after hearing the fish were biting, it was no time at all before we began our adventure.

Skimming through the first stretch of river flicking tight in close to the banks Jake managed to hook onto a feisty Yellowbelly, his first, which took a liking to the larger bodied Jerimiah.

Jake's first Yellowbelly
Hydrobug Jerimiah

Once we had begun our trek we were quick to the sandy haven we made it to the day before where we witnessed schools of small catfish and baitfish foraging through crystal clear water barely able to cover their backs. Such great signs of a healthy stretch of river.

Mal had strategically swapped over to a smaller bodied lure, Hydrobug Dytiscus at merely 42mm, to fish the snags which had already seen the presence of our much larger lures. Using this tactic he was quick to hook into a catfish over twice the size of the ones seen in the shallows.

Mal's Catfish
Hydrobug Dytiscus

From here we began our expedition into the yet to be explored stretches of river. Wading our way around the near inaccessible scrub and  walls of flood rubbish we fished the shallower flats to no avail.

It was not until walking the banks once again and flicking amongst shady snags right at the bank that we seen any more action. Mal was making use of a Gladiator Cape Yorker kayak rod which gave him all the advantages. This rod measuring in at only 1.2m (4ft) gave him the luxury of being able to cast easily and accurately under all of the overhanging trees surrounding from our left and right hand sides not only from above. It was at this point that the rest of us found it extremely difficult to get any casts in at all.

Being able to get the casts in it was no surprise that it was not long before he was on to our next fish for the trip.

The ability to fish where others can't really was proven with this fish
Hydrobug Jerimiah

Passing through the thicker trees we soon found an opening which gave casting room for all 4 of us. 3 of us using the Hydrobug Jerimiahs which were really proving their worth in the river and the other one using another lure to offer a bit of variety if the fish were turned off the larger hardbodies.

Within our first couple of casts the Jerimiahs really did prove their worth, not with just one fish or a double hook up but in fact a triple hook up on all Jerimiahs all from the same spot with the other lure not getting a touch.

Triple hook up on the Jerimiah's while the other lure didn't get a touch.
Hydrobug Jerimiah

At the dreaded point of river where we must turn around and head back the other way an extremely slow rolled lure over a rock bar sheltered from the direct heat of the sun by a solid tree seen me getting onto a fiery little cod which really gave an account for himself considering his size.

Hydrobug Jeremiah

Walking back along the opposite side to which we came we were trying to remember the areas we were unable to fish from the other side and fish them now.

The rod that I’d chosen to use a 10-14lb, Banax Vanessa, 2 piece with a length of 6′ 6″ gave me the luxury of being able to carry a long rod through thick, rod tip hungry scrub, by simply pulling the rod apart into two sections. However the major advantage gained from the long, light blanked rod matched with a very smooth reel is that I can easily launch long, yet accurate casts to snags unreachable by most. This truly did prove itself when on the way back we came to a slight opening with very ‘fishy’ looking structure and bank on the opposite riverbank.

With the others only able to reach there cast 3 quarters of the way I launched my lure deep into structure on the opposite side of the river. Not dragging the lure even half a metre back toward me I was quickly on to what didn’t feel like a big, but very energetic and strong fish. I called out to Jake who had just began walking upstream who quickly came back to assist.

Getting the fish across the varying forms of structure in the middle of the river I soon got a glimpse of a very solid Yellowbelly which had also taken a liking to the Jerimiah. After a bit of a struggle through more snags beneath me I got the beautiful river fish in which measured just short of the 50cm mark.

Cast #1 = Yellowbelly
Hydrobug Jeremiah

After releasing the fish I told Jake I’d show him where I pulled it from and cast to land the lure in exactly the same spot. At this point Jake had turned around to walk upstream again. Once again, in the exact same spot I didn’t even drag the lure close to a metre back towards me when I was on once again.

I laughed as I called out to Jake who had only just again attempted to walk upstream again. This fish didn’t fight as consistent however it made sure I knew where every snag was across the river dragging me around many branches and causing a very drawn out fight. Expecting another Yellowbelly I was surprised to see a  lovely river cod emerge in front of me, before once again wrapping himself around a log in front of me before giving in.

Cast #2 = Cod
Hydrobug Jerimiah

As we release the fish we hear Dillan call from up river saying he was now on as well. Seeing as I had the camera I decided not to pester my new ‘super snag’ much more and leave it for another day.

We quickly made our way to Dillan who had landed himself a well conditioned cod of 44cm which to my utmost surprise released eggs. I’ve caught plenty of cod this time of the year which have released eggs (the one before for example) so this was not of surprise to me, however I’ve never come across one so small yet mature enough to release eggs.

The little breeder herself
Hydrobug Jerimiah

Further upstream Jake and Dillan swap sides of the river to pick up some gear as Mal and I continue our way back on the side we were currently on.

Once back at our sand bar Jake quickly catches our final fish before trekking back to the boat to head home.

Apologies for the photo, was on opposite bank
Hydrobug Chaser

Once back in the boat as I’m paddling upstream Mal quickly calls that he was on to bring to the boat yet another healthy river cod.

Hydrobug Jerimiah

Stuck paddling still, after passing a rocky out crop Dillan casts into the shallows under some trees where he quickly hooks up as the lure is taken from the surface, at this same moment Mal’s lure had fouled up on its hooks and as he brought it back in along the surface it was hit by a solid fish. Mal quickly casts back out as Dillan is fighting his fish to hook into the cod which just attacked his lure on the surface.

Between Jake and I fumbling around the boat we land both of their fish for a quick photo and release.

Double hook up on the Jerimiah's this time
Hydrobug Jerimiah

Further upstream Mal changed to surface, despite being the middle of the day, where he did have some luck but the fish weren’t staying on the hooks. As this happened Jake and I both dropped a few sub-surface.

Calling our last cast for the day I cast between an island and an overhanging willow where I’m hit rather solid a couple of times. Mal and Jake both try their luck in the same place with Mal’s luck being proven again as his lure is taken just as he pulls it below the water.

After a rather intense fight on the lighter spin gear another beautiful sized cod is caught, a perfect way to end the day.

Mal's final cracker of a cod to end the trip
Hydrobug Jerimiah

Another of Mal's fish
Hydrobug Jerimiah

As we were pulling up the boat and packing away our gear to head home, Dillan starts flicking around at another island. After a few casts he calls out that he has a huge fish following his lure in. Follow up cast and part way back his rod doubles over soon to flick straight back up as the line snaps where the fish had clamped down on it.

This seen the end of day #2 and sadly the end of the trip.

Day 2 seen 1 Catfish, 2 Yellowbelly and 12 Murray Cod caught. Bringing the trips total to 23 native fish all of course released to breed, grow and be caught another day.

The gear used included

Banax Vanessa 10-14lb, 6’6″ 2pc matched magnificently to a Banax Syren with 6kg Gladiator Bonzai braid and 15kg ASSO fluorocarbon leader. This combo is unbelievably light, smooth and is just a dream to cast with.

Gladiator Cape Yorker 1.2m, 8-10kg (kayak rod) matched to a Banax Avalon filled with 10kg Gladiator Bonzai braid and 15kg ASSO fluorocarbon leader. This combo offers easy transport and carrying through rough terrain as well as easily being able to cast where it is impossible for longer rods.

This day we didn’t manage a fish on any lure other then the local Hydrobugs with a total of 11 Murray Cod and 2 Yellowbelly on the Jerimiahs, 1 Catfish on a Dytiscus and 1 Murray Cod on a Chaser.

First Two Days of the Year

During the ‘silly season’ and just after I wasn’t really able to get out for much of a fish. However New Years day and the following day my brother, dad and myself did manage to get a bit of fishing in.

The 1st seen us hit a quiet little waterway which doesn’t get very much attention at all. After about 10 minutes dad manages to land one very small fish from some long reeds. (No photo as it was too small apparently).

Next up Greg casts out and recieves an awful bird nest in his reel. After he had attempted to remove it to no avail for about 5 minutes I stepped in and gave it a shot. Whilst I tried to fix his reel he proceeded to have a couple of casts with my rod and gave ‘The 3 Step‘ a crack and soon hooked up to a decent fish.

Solid cod to break in the Banax Syren reel matched with Gladiator SSS 1.8m, 4kg rod.

After this the fish shut back off and I had to admit defeat and head home.

The following day, the 2nd, Greg and I headed to another location. After fishing solidly for about 2 hours Greg manages to land one very small cod (again, way too small for a photo).

A good hour and a half later I went to a familiar snag where cod up to 90cm had been caught in the past. Casting over it about half a dozen times with my old faithful 90mm AC Invader in redfin pattern I decided to have a go at ‘The 3 Step‘ over this snag.

First cast in, the medium to quick paced one, no touch. Second cast in, jerking down and floating part way up, I was hit rather solid about half way back in. The Syren smoothly released plenty of drag as the fish fought solid, hanging very deep and I noticed it was not giving the usual fighting signs of a cod.

Soon the fish surfaced and to my surprise it was a golden perch. The first caught in over half a decade. Once finally landing the fish I noticed that this fish had a very strange shaped head, black scales in places as well as dying scales around its face.

Deformed looking 49.5cm yella on the Syren, Snake Skin Sports Combo.

That afternoon I put the Mantra Noa kayak into a river whilst the old man fished landbased.

Ready to go..

Kayaking only a short distance upstream I cast into a very fishy looking ‘lay down’ snag where I was hit solidly but sadly lost the fish early in the fight.

Headed further upstream and then back downstream the fished proved very quiet once again with only 2 follows to the kayak.

Now fishing the opposite side of the same snag I dropped the fish on earlier I cast tight into the base and retrieved slowly. As I pulled the lure from the water I noticed a small flash and then boil so I quickly cast back into the same spot. Now changing my retrieve slightly and dragging the lure down quickly, pausing and then retrieving slowly for a couple seconds I hooked up.

Only a small fish but it made sure to tangle me amongst the snags as much as possible. Luckily in the Noa I was able to angle the kayak around the different snags in the road. Soon I had the fish in the kayak.

Small fella from the Mantra Noa kayak using the Syren, SSS combo.

Not long after I think I hear a cod hit the surface only to then hear dad yelling out he was on. Here is the fish which smashed a jointed Jitterbug from underneath a willow tree.

Dad's cod off the top using a Jitterbug

Now with the scores even we decided to head off home.