Fishing Fishing the Murray

[PowerKop]

Although all we hear is doom and gloom over the state of the mighty Murray, at least the fishing and native fish stocks are on the improve. Over the last ten years I have noticed a massive increase in the amount of native fish I have caught compared to Carp. Went on a houseboat 8 years ago and did not get a native, but over the last couple of years I've been hard pressed to catch a Carp.

Still only ever caught the one Cod and it was undersize. Still theres meant to be a few around.

What are other peoples experiences like when fishing the Murray, in terms of fish caught??

 

[Kahuna]

Only been fishing there once and caught a hell of a lot of Carp big things aswell. One of the stupid things nearly took my rod.

Powerkop name some of the native fish that you have caught in there? I am interested to hear what some of them are.

 

[PowerKop]

Only been fishing there once and caught a hell of a lot of Carp big things aswell. One of the stupid things nearly took my rod.

Powerkop name some of the native fish that you have caught in there? I am interested to hear what some of them are.

When I say native fish, I should just say Callop (Goldern Perch) cos thats the only native that I really catch. I think Cod numbers are improving though, even though I've had very limited success catching one. Silver Perch and Catfish are both protected, and I've never caught one of them. Been many years since I caught a Redfin to in the Murray. Even though they are classed as a pest and have to be killed like Carp, they are a terrific fish to catch and probably the best eating fish in the river IMO.

 

[Convict]

What do you use for bait when fishing carp?

 

[Kahuna]

What do you use for bait when fishing carp?

Pretty much anything. I reckon I used small yabbies and they worked well. Thinking about it a little it may have been shrimp. I hear you can catch them on worms aswell.

 

[PowerKop]

What do you use for bait when fishing carp?

Some big juicy tiger worms are probably the best bet, because your always a chance to catch Callop on them as well as carp. Also if you thread the worm through the hook properly then its very hard for the fish to get off, meaning more hook ups. Corn is also good for Carp, although i've never used it as well as bread, which can be hard to keep on the hook.

 

[Rough_Edges]

Carp eat anything, scrub worms included.

 

[Cassius_Clay]

Carp eat anything, scrub worms included.

Hyena's of the waterworld.

 

[Convict]

Cheers for the advice lads. Id never fished the murry and thought Id give it a quick try while on a houseboat last year. Used corn and bread, both of which didnt keep on the hook too well and I didnt catch a thing! so I'll have to try some of the worms next time.

 

[mickyj]

Dont forget to use bread as well Carp love bread.
try this forum
http://www.fishsa.com/cgi-bin/forum/forum.pl
they pics of massive Carp caught in the torrens and native catfish

 

[Smokin_Joe]

Cheapest bait to catch carp is corn kernels...

 

[Pklz]

hold on...........why would you want to catch rotten old carp?

 

[Kahuna]

hold on...........why would you want to catch rotten old carp?

Torture my friend.

 

[Daicosian]

I was up there on Australia Day weekend, and not a single carp was caught nor seen. Over 4 days, about 5 cod were caught, all of which were agonisingly a couple of centimetres short of the required 50cm. The odd trout cod were also hooked and returned as the are a protected native fish. Bait used was cheese and yabbies, with the latter being more succesful this time. The water is definately improving, but no where near the clear of 20/30 years ago.

 

[XXX KINGS]

When I say native fish, I should just say Callop (Goldern Perch) cos thats the only native that I really catch. I think Cod numbers are improving though, even though I've had very limited success catching one. Silver Perch and Catfish are both protected, and I've never caught one of them. Been many years since I caught a Redfin to in the Murray. Even though they are classed as a pest and have to be killed like Carp, they are a terrific fish to catch and probably the best eating fish in the river IMO.

Last year on the Murray I caught 3 Silver Perch using corn kernels (had to throw them back because as you say they are protected). Also managed to catch a nice supply of Carp. This was all extremely frustrating because I spent all this time fishing and didn't get one which I could eat. Hopefully I'll get back there this year because fresh water fishing imo is so much more challenging and rewarding than fishing for flatties in the bay.

 

[PowerKop]

Last year on the Murray I caught 3 Silver Perch using corn kernels (had to throw them back because as you say they are protected). Also managed to catch a nice supply of Carp. This was all extremely frustrating because I spent all this time fishing and didn't get one which I could eat. Hopefully I'll get back there this year because fresh water fishing imo is so much more challenging and rewarding than fishing for flatties in the bay.

Yeah I've recently been up the river for a while. The fishing was fairly quiet, due to lack of water flow, and lower water levels. Still managed to get a few feeds of Callop though. Just a matter of moving around a lot. On one day I didn't get a bite until 4 in the afternoon. Then at this spot I caught 9 Callop, 2 Carp and a Silver in around 2 hours. Even got a double header of good sized Callop!

 

[Angus1]

This is my kind of thread. I have fished the Murray since i was just a little kid.
I was born and bred on the Murray.
For starters you shouldn't be trying to catch carp. If you are trying to catch carp your chances of getting good natives are slim. Your number 1 species in Victoria is Murray Cod and if you are in SA then you can expect to catch some damn fine Callop also known as Yellowbelly to Victorians or Golden Perch which is well known throughout this great country. I have lived in both states and i would say that the Murray is quiet outstanding for Callop in South Australia if you know what you are doing.
Now back to Victoria and the mighty Cod.
Best baits are Yabbies, Bardie Grubs or Shrimp. You can catch them on worms however Carp do like to hook onto a worm. Trolling is very popular for catching Cod and Stump Jumpers are like gold to Cod fisherman. You really don't need any other lure just different colours. Oar Gee are also very good but i don't bother with any other lure when it comes to cod. These 2 have caught more Cod then the rest put together and then some.
A couple of things to note. If you catch a Trout Cod you must release it. It looks similar to a cod but further inspection will show that the colour is different as is the mouth. Silver perch are often caught when cod fishing. Nothing wrong with catching these as they are a bit of fun but they must be returned. You may not know what a Silver perch is but if it doesn't look like a cod or a yella and it isn't the dreaded carp then chances are you have a silver perch also known as a Grunter. They make a grunting noise when handled. Put it back in the water or you will cop a fine.

In SA it's very hard to catch a Cod. Water is too dirty and trolling is just not done. Most fishing in the Murray in SA is bait fishing. Callop are outstanding in SA. I reccomend camping at Overland Corner. Having a beer or two at the historic Hotel and then catching as many Callop as you can. I once caught 20 good sized callop in a morning whilst camping at Overland Corner. All were caught on Shrimp which were caught in the area.
A tip get on the outside of a bend near some snags. Tie to the snag then drop straight down. Don't cast. Don't strike on the first bite wait for the next one then snap back. If you wait for the third you may be too late but this does change depending on conditions. If it is really hot you will get them no matter when you strike. If not you have to get it right or you will lose fish.

 

[Angus1]

I should also mention to anyone that hasn't caught a cod in the Murray before that once you have a hook up you need to bring it up a bit imediately. If you don't and let it run it will go under a log then when you pull up you will be pulling your line against a log. I have spent 20 minutes or more trying to pull up a cod without ever getting much line up at all before it breaks. My method is you MUST get the cod up in a straight line first. Don't play with it or it will go under a snag. These fish are very strong and if it gets under a snag are very hard to move. Some Cod you wont be able to pull up at all. They are just too strong. With these you have to do some fishing. This is what it's all about. If you can go the distance with a big cod then you can call yourself a cod fisherman.
Once you pull in a really big cod do this. Take a photo. Then let the big fella back in the water to see another day. Big cod are fatty plus they have evaded hooks and lures for so freaking long we might as well give them some respect and let them see out another day.

 

[Iknowyouloveme]

I don't mind catching carp.

Good fun to catch...the pull pretty well.

Redfin are easy to catch there aswelll...

Easy place to fish.

 

[PowerKop]

In SA it's very hard to catch a Cod. Water is too dirty and trolling is just not done. Most fishing in the Murray in SA is bait fishing.

Your right there but Cod can still be caught in SA, even though i've never had the privaledge of catching one, i've been in the boat when ones been landed, all be it a small one. A lot of people have success trolling along cliff faces where the water is a bit deeper. If you know what you are doing then its not hard to get yourself a big cod here in SA.

As you said plenty of callop about in SA. Great fighting fish and awesome to eat.

 

[drew_j]

I go fishing in the Murray once a year. Mostly just after Cod opening at Echuca or Yarrawonga. Recently I have noticed a big increase in Cod, haven't caught a Yellow belly for some time. Carp are still there but in lesser numbers.

 

[Ron]

I went fishing in the darling last week and between two of us we caught eight perch compared to only one carp in about four hours.
No doubt the water levels have dropped a fair bit, but Carp are not nearly the problem they used to be.

 

[drew_j]

I think you have to hand it to Fisheries. They really have done a fantastic job over the last 2 decades or so.

 

[EchucaRoogirl]

My husband uses corn in a tin and cheese to catch carp

 

[DekkaRoo]

My husband uses corn in a tin and cheese to catch carp

Last time i used cheese, i got some nice cod.