First trip out for the year ...
First trip out for the year ...
It's been a strange year for me - no fishing since February due to working pretty much 7 days a week on owner-building my house. I haven't been to any of my usual land-based spots this year, but finally this week did manage to get out for a couple of hours up on the Yarra to try for a cod. I set up with two rods out and set about enjoying the sound of the wind, the reflections of trees on the river and the grass dipping around me.
After three hours, I was just about ready to go, having had only a couple of small bites the whole time. I was ok with this, but then to my surprise one of the rods dipped savagely, then the tip flicked upwards with loose line swaying in the breeze. For a moment I wasn't sure what had happened, and then suddenly I snapped into action as I realised the loose line was tracking across the river in my direction. I wound the reel like a maniac until finally I was connected to something very solid, making a beeline for a log in front of me. I angled the rod, but could do very little with my slow action gear, feeling the braid running over timber way off to the right up the river. A few panicked moments in the reeds and a boot down to the ankle in mud and I opened the bail arm, hoping for the fish to swim out of trouble. When I tightened up again, I was still connected, but also still in the snag - I decided to tighten the drag and hope for the best, pulling on the fish as hard as I dared. After a few tense moments, it was out into open water - the drag zinging every now and then as I tried to put on pressure. Finally, there it was - a hefty Murray Cod swimming tantalisingly close just out in front of the reeds. I swung at it with the net, only to realise I was still too far away - the fish headed out into deep water again. After a couple more nervous shots with the net, there it was - a 79cm fish of maybe 10kg in the landing net.
After carefully removing the circle hook and a photo or two, I lifted the fish back into the water for a powerful flick of the tail and it was gone back into the depths. What a way to start the summer!
After three hours, I was just about ready to go, having had only a couple of small bites the whole time. I was ok with this, but then to my surprise one of the rods dipped savagely, then the tip flicked upwards with loose line swaying in the breeze. For a moment I wasn't sure what had happened, and then suddenly I snapped into action as I realised the loose line was tracking across the river in my direction. I wound the reel like a maniac until finally I was connected to something very solid, making a beeline for a log in front of me. I angled the rod, but could do very little with my slow action gear, feeling the braid running over timber way off to the right up the river. A few panicked moments in the reeds and a boot down to the ankle in mud and I opened the bail arm, hoping for the fish to swim out of trouble. When I tightened up again, I was still connected, but also still in the snag - I decided to tighten the drag and hope for the best, pulling on the fish as hard as I dared. After a few tense moments, it was out into open water - the drag zinging every now and then as I tried to put on pressure. Finally, there it was - a hefty Murray Cod swimming tantalisingly close just out in front of the reeds. I swung at it with the net, only to realise I was still too far away - the fish headed out into deep water again. After a couple more nervous shots with the net, there it was - a 79cm fish of maybe 10kg in the landing net.
After carefully removing the circle hook and a photo or two, I lifted the fish back into the water for a powerful flick of the tail and it was gone back into the depths. What a way to start the summer!
- Boonanza
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Re: First trip out for the year ...
Cracking fish mate and love the detailed report :a_goodjob:
A smart person knows what to say. A wise person knows whether to say it.
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- Bluefin
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Re: First trip out for the year ...
Anyone would like that start of the season
Well done, among the snags is a *****
79 is a serious fish
Cheers Gra
Well done, among the snags is a *****
79 is a serious fish
Cheers Gra
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- davek
- Moderator
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Re: First trip out for the year ...
Excellent catch mate, well done, :a_goodjob: cheers davo
It's an exhilarating feeling catching a fish
But it's an even better feeling releasing them
But it's an even better feeling releasing them
Re: First trip out for the year ...
Thanks everyone! As you can probably tell, I was very pleasantly surprised with this catch. I hope to get out again soon.
- GregExplores
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Re: First trip out for the year ...
Hi, I have been trying to find some Murray Cod fishing spots in the yarra. Does anyone know if there is murray cod in Fairfield around the boathouse?