By Sam Murdoch
HOW many times have you walked down to the river, looked at its murky depths and gone “nah it’s too dirty to head out today?”
Dirty water fishing can be hard and supremely frustrating but when it is good, it is great!
On a recent trip the dirty water switched it on! With myself and good mate Mathew Maher picking up a number of quality fish.
With the water high and dirty the decision was made early to target the slower flowing areas along the mighty Murray River between Mildura and Wentworth.
Our first stop produced one lonely hit before we moved on and headed to “spot X”.
“Spot X” is a man made structure that has flooded with all the recent high water coming down. Realistically we were targeting Yellowbelly, less than two minutes into our stop I hear Mat yell out “I’m on”.
As the reel screamed in agony and the rod bowed over I could only wonder what kind of Yellowbelly could be doing this when a mottled green back popped out of the water.
“That’s a good cod!” I yelled to Mat as the fish went on another searing run, testing the 10lb line with 8lb leader I had set for him.
Finally the fish is worn out and I’m able to grip him, he was lifted up for a couple of pictures and off he swam.
We start again, this time I begin working my Rapala Clackin’ Rap towards the head of the eddy we were fishing.
My mind started to wander then all of a sudden, CRUNCH! I’m onto the second fish of the day who fights gamely but the Okuma Trinus and (testing sample) baitcaster combo are more than a match for this fella, who is landed without much more ado.
Soon after I snag up. “Bugger” I think as my knot fails and I’m forced to rig up. Just as I’m rigging up I hear Mat say “I’m on!”.
I look over and I’m watching Mat’s rod bow and reel scream as a fish takes off on a powerful run. Mat is left helpless as we can only watch this fish peel line.
After an epic 10 minute fight Mat finally gets this fishes head above water. As we watch his bucket mouth come up we both know we’re onto a fish of a lifetime!
Slowly, slowly he is eased into the edge of the bank as we pray a stray rock won’t cut him off. Finally he is caught by the lip grips, lifted for a photo and then released to swim away for another day.
As we watch his big paddle tail disappear pandemonium breaks loose as we celebrate what truly has been a memorable capture!
Soon after this I have another quality fish take a shining to my Rapala Clackin’ Rap but he doesn’t stay hooked and spits out the lure.
Devastation follows as I wonder just how good my fish would have been (surely it would have been better than Mat’s!) and what I could have done to not lose him.
Not long after this Mat catches another small cod, but by now the moment is past and it’s time for us to head home for dinner.
As we’re driving back into Mildura both of us could only think about our own monsters – the one that got away and the one we’ll let the world see.
It didn’t matter, we’d be back and next time I’d get that sucker!
Regards,
Sam Murdoch,
Rapala Street Team
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