Overview
Murray cod are long-lived, slow-growing and highly territorial. A metre-plus fish may be several decades old, which is why catch and release is the norm among serious cod anglers.
They hold on structure — fallen timber, rock bars and undercut banks — and defend a home range rather than roaming widely.
Surface fishing on warm summer evenings is the most exciting way to target them, with cod smashing paddler-style lures worked slowly along the bank.
Where to find them
- ▸Timber-choked river bends and log jams.
- ▸Rock bars and weirs where current concentrates.
- ▸Impoundment points and standing timber.
- ▸Deep holes during the heat of the day.
Tackle
- ▸Rod: 6'–7' heavy baitcaster rated 10–20 kg.
- ▸Line: 50–80 lb braid with 60–100 lb leader.
- ▸Lures: 100–200 mm surface paddlers, 1–2 oz spinnerbaits, large swimbaits and deep-diving hard-bodies.
Tips from the water
- ▸Work surface lures slowly and steadily — a constant plop draws the strike.
- ▸Keep the fish in the water, use a large knotless net and support the belly.
- ▸Never hold a big cod vertically; internal damage is common and often fatal.
Regulations
Murray cod have a strict closed season (typically 1 September to 30 November) to protect spawning fish, plus size and bag limits. Check your state's rules every season.