It is important anglers are aware that the Murray cod breeding season is just days away.
The news of some sensational fishing arrived on the desk of Dubbo Catches from the massive Murray Cod heartland of NSW, Copeton Dam, on a bitter note this week.
Managers of Copeton Waters State Park reported that four ‘fish of a lifetime’ Murray Cod were caught recently, weighing 52, 56, 60 and 90 pounds.
Unfortunately, all were killed for either human consumption or trophy purposes, meaning the loss of vital breeding stock for the upcoming breeding season.
The Murray cod has relatively low fertility compared to many other freshwater fish. Egg counts range from less than 10,000 eggs for a barely mature female to approximately 90,000 eggs for females about the 22kg mark. Large female Murray Cod in the 15 to 25kg range and “in their prime” are perhaps the most important breeders because they produce the most eggs and are also more experienced breeders that display optimal breeding behaviours.
Macquarie River
With spring officially only days away local anglers are expecting fishing to heat up in the Dubbo district along with the weather in the coming days.
Graeme and Nick Powel of Narromine enjoyed the superb weather at the weekend flicking lures on their local waterway.
Graeme reported that the cod didn’t start actively hitting lures until well into the afternoon, and were found in the faster-moving deep water. Six fish came to the bank between Graeme and Nick, with the average size about the 50cm mark.
Water temperatures rose between one and two degrees in the late afternoon sunshine, which could explain the feeding frenzy late in the day. Thanks to Graeme and Nick for their report.
Mick Coad, Brett Kleppe, Neil Duncan and I put in a solid day’s fishing at Trangie Ski Gardens on Sunday.
Casting hard-bodied lures, cod-botherors and spinnerbaits among snags complete with evidence of heavily worked waters saw just the one cod come to the boat at about 3.30pm after it decided to gulp a 75mm Oar Gee Plow in fluorescent green and black.
Jason Walters also wet a line over at Warren and picked up two Murrays casting spinnerbaits around structure. The fish went between 40 and 50cm on the brag mat and were caught during an early morning session.
Barwon River
Matt Campbell from Explore Outdoors enjoyed a week’s fishing on the Barwon River at Walgett with Dave, Graeme and Greg Campbell, Brett Owens and Jay Williamson.
Cod of about the 40 to 50 cm mark were actively taking baited lines with yellowbelly to 45cm providing plenty of fun on light gear. Hard-bodied lures, spinnerbaits and Jackall Mask Vibes cast at structure worked well in the dirty water.
Garden Hotel Fishing Club
The Garden Hotel Fishing Club enjoyed a trip out to Trangie Ski Gardens at the weekend with about 30 members and friends in attendance.
The brilliant team of cooks put a feed on the table that would put most restaurants to shame.
Nick Doran, Jamie Kennedy and Leigh McKeown hauled in the first fish which unfortunately turned out to be a nine pound mud marlin.
All in all fishing was slow with just a couple of small cod about, but a great time was had by all none the less.
Swain Reefs
Michael Coward dropped in a report of a recent trip to Swain Reefs aboard Australiana, along with an impressive photo of Greg McCann with a 12kg Coral Trout. The fish was caught on bait in 60 metres of water, and was put back in the drink to hopefully breed more trophy fish of this calibre.
The skipper noted it was the biggest trout he had seen come aboard. Mike reported a windy trip but still managed some decent fish with plenty of trout, sweetlip and a few mackies coming over the rail. For their efforts Mike and Greg pick up a Jaz Lures Prize Pack, including a selection of spinnerbaits, lipless crank baits, and hard-bodied lures.
Restocking Initiative
Rocla Rural Products this week donated a five-metre Rocla Square line 450 litre trough, complete with concrete valve cover, to the restocking initiative raising $400 for the purchase of native fish fingerlings.
Thanks very much to Greg and all the team at Rocla Rural Products.
Any local businesses who would like to contribute a product or donate to the initiative please contact Dubbo Catches.
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