Shades Fishing News

THE old rule of thumb for Murray cod was that the fish were best sought when the water temperature was up, and this meant summer.

Many anglers, working on the theory that you wouldn’t catch cod in winter, put away their fishing tackle and went chasing trout in lakes or bream or salmon in the surf.

The reality is that while you may not catch as many Murray cod in winter, those that you do hook will be bigger.

The critical issue for Murray cod is not so much water temperature as water levels. Cod come on the bite better when the water level is rising.

The best fishing often happens the day before the rise reaches the stretch of river being fished.

This fact was brought home to me again this week when Murray River cod guru Rod Mackenzie emailed me a picture of his latest catch, a cod of about 35kg caught near Mildura.

He isn’t the only angler doing well. Others have been taking reasonable numbers of large cod near Robinvale.

About three years ago, I was involved in a cod session on the Murray River near Wentworth. More than a dozen cod to about 30kg were caught, and there were no fish under 12kg.

The fishing was slow, given the time spent on the water, but it takes only one big cod to make a trip worthwhile.

At this time of year, many big cod are caught close to where small creeks and drains flow into the river.

The Murray cod doesn’t move at a great rate of knots and is an ambush predator.

Big cod take cover in snags and submerged timber, below overhanging trees or along rockbars. The fish hover almost motionless as they wait for a meal to swim past.

When this happens, cod open their mouths and inhale their victims. Known as implosion feeding, on still days or nights you will sometimes hear the “boofing” sound, like a shotgun firing, when a big cod’s gills slap shut as it exhales water inhaled with the unfortunate meal.

Winter cod are best sought with lures, either trolled or cast. Slow-trolling big lures or wide-body lures and working spinnerbaits or mumblers through snags are all productive methods.

An 8kg baitcaster outfit spooled with 15kg breaking strain braid will cover most lure applications. When rigging it is important to use a hard-wearing leader material of about 24kg breaking strain.

LURES

Many anglers have taken to working spinnerbaits and the similar mumbler lures.

The method is to cast the lure into a likely snag and retrieve it slowly through or alongside the timber.

The advantage of this type of lure is that you are less likely to hang up on timber. If you do, tighten the line and pull it as if you were loading a bow, and then let it go.

The subsequent shockwave down the braid will sometimes push the lure free.

A few successful trolling lures include the Stumpjumper, Halco Poltergeist and Predatek Boomerang.

When trolling lures, it is important to keep them close to the riverbed. Work braid lines of about 15kg and a nylon leader to act as a shock absorber to stop the hooks pulling out when you get a strike.

Trolling success comes by working lures close to snags. A benefit of braid lines is that you can feel when your lure is bouncing over submerged logs.

To avoid snagging, free spool quickly to allow the lure to rise, and then put the reel back in gear and the lure will dive down again.

Steve Cooper can be heard on the Casting Off program on Radio Sport927 between 4.30am and 6.30am on Saturdays.

Source : Herald Sun

The resident juvenile Murray cod of the Macquarie River were in a feeding frenzy on the weekend.

Graeme Powell of Narromine and I enjoyed a productive spinnerbait casting session in the Narromine district, with the final tally for the day reaching five cod and a yellowbelly.

Purple skirted spinnerbaits were seemingly irresistible when cast under dense willow frond canopies, with the lesson of the day certainly being that persistence pays off.

Some cod that produced a strike on the first cast were caught 20 to 30 casts later.

The large low-pressure system came blowing in on the Monday of the long weekend and the fishing slowed a little.

Burrendong Dam

Daniel Howard headed out to Burrendong with some family and friends and reported fishing was quite slow during the daylight hours on Saturday.

Bobbing yabbies, casting lures and trolling failed to produce a bite, but lady luck smiled during the night as the yellas and catties came on the chew.

Small yabbies and worms worked well from the bank throughout the night, and produced yellas to five pounds and numerous catfish.

For his report and great photos Daniel wins a selection of Jaz Lures and Spinner baits.

Wyangala Dam

Dubbo Catches was emailed a photo and report of a massive one metre plus Murray cod caught by Alan Hewen of Grenfell at Wyangala Dam recently on a Jaz Tenterfield Shrimp 85mm in chrome gold.

This trophy cod is one of the biggest fish caught in the central west district in recent times, and was a genuine trophy specimen usually seen only on the glossy pages of a fishing magazine.

The Murray was a particularly long fish that looked very fit for its age and size.

Jindabyne and Eucumbene

Fishing has been great in the Thredbo and Eucumbene rivers.

There is some great Glo Bug fishing at the moment for the fly fishos, and steady rain will see more fish becoming active.

Glo Bugs and Nymphs are best fished under a strike indicator, with early starts a must for these areas and although it can be cold the fishing becomes a bit quiet once the sun is high in the sky and shining on the water.

General fishing news

Stealing fish, black market fish trading, and illegal fishing methods such as netting with both gill and drum nets, and set line use (droppers) is ruining our river.

Fisheries officers spend many hours on patrol, detecting and preventing illegal fishing but they need your help.

Report illegal or suspect fishing activities to your nearest fisheries office or use the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536.

Record the following information before reporting:

o Type of activity.

o Time, date and location of activity.

o Number of people and any descriptions.

o Registration numbers of cars and boats.

All information will be treated as confidential and remain absolutely confidential.

For general fishing information, call the Fisheries Information Line on 1300 550 474.

Impoundment and river roundup

Bowering 32.8 per cent, Brogo 95.2, Burrendong 17.8; Burrinjuck 40.9, Carcoar 7.0, Chaffey 75.7, Copeton 21, Dartmouth 16, Glenbawn 51.3, Glennis Creek 57.9, Hume 13.7, Keepit 20.6, Lake Cargelligo 34.5, Lake Victoria 40, Lostock 102.6, Menindee 52.29, Pindari 31.5.

Source: Dubbo Daily Liberal

An iconic fishing jetty at Georges Bay has a new lease on life following a partnership between the State Government and the St Helens community.

Kirwin’s Jetty has been rebuilt and opened today to coincide with the St Helens Rotary Club’s Family Fun Fishing Day.

Labor Member for Lyons Healther Butler paid tribute to those involved in the project.

“The State Government provided $5000 for the work but it would not have happened without the generosity of the community and commitment from local volunteers,” Ms Butler said.

“It had fallen into a state of disrepair and would have been lost without the initiative of the Rotary club which set about raising funds to rebuild the jetty.”

Ms Butler said the project was completed in just three weeks

“After taking over the jetty, the Rotary club raised $7000 and completed the work in record time.”

“Kirwin’s jetty is one of the most popular fishing spots in Georges Bay and is enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike.”

“It is a tremendous community asset and its great to see people fishing off the jetty again,” Ms Butler said.

Source: Tasmanian Government Media Release

The Railway Hotel Fishing Club will be holding an open waters competition this long weekend.

Weigh-in will be held in the hotel beer garden at 3pm on Monday, all welcome.

The ANZAC Shield fishing competition held annually between Cowra, Wyangala and Penrith was down on numbers this year with Penrith not being able to field a team.

Considering the rising costs in fuel, food and accommodation, this is unfortunately quite understandable (but they promise to be back in 2009).

Cowra and Wyangala had its own share of problems with neither club able to field a junior side.

So if anybody is interested in joining the club, or has ideas about improving membership numbers, please feel free to come to the weigh-in and share your ideas (men, women or junior).

Results from the ANZAC Shield:

Total amount of fish weighed in over the weekend – 43.158 kilograms

Heaviest fish – Murray cod 2.144 kilograms

Wyangala won the men’s with an average weight per fisherman of 1.64 kilograms, Railway 0.87 kilograms

Cowra won the ladies with an average of 5.384 kilograms, Wyangala 3.98 kilograms.

Source : Cowra Guardian

Woody snags that improve fish habitat are this week being introduced to the Castlereagh River Demonstration Reach downstream of Coonabarabran, said Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald.

Mr Macdonald said NSW Department of Primary Industries in collaboration with the Central West Catchment Management Authority is undertaking the resnagging work, which will involve the reintroduction of at least 100 tonnes of woody habitats (snags) into two reaches of the Castlereagh River.

“Resnagging is proposed to increase the loading of large woody habitat at sites where the presence of snags is currently very low or devoid,” Mr Macdonald said.

With the cooperation of local landholders and contractors, large woody debris has been sought from legal land clearings. This is a valuable in-kind contribution to the project and should encourage other local landholders and community groups to preserve large woody debris for snagging in their own reach.

Resnagging works require approval from the NSW DPI Aquatic Habitat Protection Unit and the Department of Lands.

Shaun Morris, Conservation Management Officer with NSW DPI said snags provide important habitat for a range of aquatic animals especially native fish.

“The presence of wood in stream environments is essential for many species of native fish to complete their life cycle, providing refuge and shelter, feeding and spawning sites,” he said.

“Snags can also reduce the frequency of algal blooms by rapidly removing nitrogen and phosphorus from the water column.”

Removal of snags from NSW rivers has been listed as a key threatening process under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 because of its negative impacts on several threatened or vulnerable species.

These works will complement other activities being undertaken as part of the Upper Castlereagh Demonstration Reach which include riparian fencing, exotic tree control and the establishment of off-stream watering points.

Anyone interested in further information about the Upper Castlereagh Demonstration Reach Project should contact Shaun Morris (Conservation Management Officer - NSW DPI) on 6881 1270.

Media contact: Phil Bevan (02) 66261350 or 0429 458 053

Source : NSW DPI

The annual trout season in NSW will close at midnight on Monday 9 June to allow brown, rainbow and brook trout a chance to breed uninterrupted, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.

“Designated trout streams will be closed to recreational fishing after the June long weekend and will reopen prior to the October long weekend at midnight on Friday 3 October, enabling trout fishers to fish during both long weekends.

“All trout dams remain open to fishing all year, which will allow fishers to continue their sport throughout the year,” he said.

Mr Macdonald said NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in conjunction with the acclimatisation societies has been stocking our trout dams and rivers for many years.

“During the previous 12 months, about two-and-a-half-million trout have been stocked into our waterways.

“The recreational fishing industry is a major part of many local economies and in the Snowy Mountains region alone, it is estimated to inject $70 million a year into the local economy and support 700 jobs.

“Other renowned trout fishing centres include the New England region and the Central and Southern Highlands.

“Keen anglers will continue to flock to popular winter fishing spots such as Lakes Jindabyne and Eucumbene, Oberon Dam near Bathurst, Tantangara and Talbingo Dams near Tumut and Lake Wallace and Thompson’s Creek Dam near Lithgow,” he said.

NSW DPI Supervising Fisheries Officer South West Zone, Peter Tilbrook, said any rain in the mountain areas would assist with the natural breeding of brown, rainbow and brook trout. Murray crayfish cannot be taken from trout waters at any time.

“NSW DPI fisheries officers will be out in force during the June long weekend to advise anglers on the fishing laws, enforce size and bag limits and ensure NSW fishing rules were being obeyed,” he said.

Anglers should check they have a current NSW Recreational Fishing Licence, available from more than 1100 agents including bait and tackle stores and K-Mart, online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/licence-fee or on 1300 369 365.

People found without a licence can be issued with on-the-spot penalties of $200.

“Money raised from the recreational licence is placed in Trusts, overseen by angler representatives, and can only be used to create better recreational fishing opportunities,” Mr Tilbrook said.

Detailed information on trout fishing rules can be found in the NSW DPI Freshwater Fishing Guide, NSW DPI fisheries offices, the website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/regulations and most bait and tackle stores.

Photo available from sarahc@sf.nsw.gov.au

Media contact: Sarah Chester (02) 6036 2110 or O417 207 669

JORDANNA SCHRIEVER

FIRST it was the frog, then the bilby and now the Murray Cod will be given the sweet treatment to help raise funds for the environment.

Haigh’s Chocolates has partnered with SA Water and the not-for-profit Waterfind Environment Fund to make a chocolate Murray Cod which goes on sale tomorrow.

Part proceeds from the 20cm-long solid milk chocolate fish will help the Waterfind Environment Fund improve the health of Australian river systems and support the survival of native fish species.

Fund spokeswoman Suzanne Keith said the Murray Cod was a symbol of many native fish which are declining because of poor flows in the River Murray.

“The Haigh’s chocolate Murray Cod project shows as a community we can partner in creative ways to help reverse the effects of drought on native species,” she said.

Haigh’s chief executive officer Alister Haigh said the company was delighted to be involved.

“Most of us now understand the situation the Murray River is facing,” he said. “The chocolate Murray Cod has been created to highlight the plight of native fish species in Australia as a result of ongoing drought conditions.”

Source : Adelaide Now

Thanks TB for a great post on the Murray Monsters forums :

If you need, print out the following and hand it to someone you think may need it next time you are out for a fish.

CATCH & RELEASE info

The Murray Cod has recently been listed as a threatened species. It is important to know how to maximize a fish’s chance of survival after being hooked. Both small and large Murray Cod can be successfully released. The following is a few tips, pointers and ideas on how to increase its chance of survival upon capture.

• Do not over play a fish. Where possible retrieve the fish as quick as possible.
• Use an appropriate line class for the species you are targeting
• If you’re bait fishing and the fish has swallowed the hook deeply, don’t try to remove it. Cut the line, the hook will dissolve or be passed in time.
• Where possible crush the barbs on all hooks. This will aid for quicker hook removal and also comes in handy if you happen to hook yourself.
• Where possible, don’t remove the fish from the water. If possible remove the hook / lure while the fish is still in the water.
• If you intend to remove your fish from the water don’t use dry hands or a course landing net as both these methods will remove the protective slime coating on the fish’s body. Where possible use wet hands or a wet pair of cotton gloves. If you use a net, use a knotless fine meshed type like an ENVIRONET.
• If you don’t have a suitable landing net and need to remove the fish from the water, don’t directly lift the fish by its tail, gills, mouth or using tools such as gaffs, pliers ect.
• Do not place your fish on a hot dry surface.
• If you need to transport a fish, it is a must that you have either a live fish holding tank or an aerated holding vessel (minimum 60ltrs). At very least you should have a wet towel or wet hessian bag. Continually pour fresh water over the fish when it is being transported.
• If you intend to take a photo, have everything ready to go before you remove the fish from the water.
• It’s far more efficient to measure you fish than weigh it. Awkward fish measuring devices can greatly decrease the fish’s chance of survival. An approximate and accurate weight / length comparison chart can be obtained from NSW Fisheries or Fisheries Victoria.
• When you’re ready to release your fish, don’t just throw it back in the water. Gently place the fish in the water in an upright position moving it forward to create water flow over the gills. Continue to do this until the fish shows a strong sign of recovery and swims off under its own power.

These are just a few ideas to help you practice effective Catch & Release fishing. These few techniques will greatly enhance a fish’s chances of a full recovery and overall survival.

Cheers TB