Lachlan River

[thefenno]

Hi guys, I’ve been reading along for a while though this is my first post. I enjoy simming through the articles and photos for all your handy tips and info.

I’ve just moved to Eugowra near Forbes and I’m busting to get onto a cod to see what all the excitement is about. Been out scouting spots along the Lachlan and slowly learning how to get set up to entice one on the line. I’m trying both cheese on the hook and lures but would love to get onto them by lure in particular. I’m starting to hit more snag areas with lures in the hope that I’ll get lucky soon.

I’ve been out a bunch of times to a few spots but still no luck! I’ve tried 8 mile reserve off the Escort Way and Pilgrim Hill off Lachlan Valley Way. Pilgrim Hill seems like it’s flogged out by loads of people because of the boat access and Eight Mile seems pretty dead too, though I think it ‘looks’ like a good cod spot with plenty of snags. 

Just wondering if there’s anyone on here that fishes the Lachlan in the Forbes - Eugowra - Gooloogong - Cowra area and if they’re getting anything at the moment?

I suspect my timing isn’t the best through the day and late arvo too?

I’ve just been to the local tackle shop and bought my first swim bait and have a shopping list for some black/purple and black/red spinnerbaits, a rat and a frog too. All the guys on YouTube and on here seem to be having plenty of luck on those. Any thoughts?

Thanks for all the info on here guys, everything helps and I could use all the help I can get at this point!

Cheers, Fenno

[big Neil]

G'day Fenno. The main things to bear in mind are that Cod have to eat and even popular spots produce. Let me explain. If a place gets hammered because it's easily accessed the fish are unlikely to go elsewhere, but they will become warier. Often targetting them in the twilight hours, using surface lures, pays off, or being more persistent. I have been catching a lot of smaller Cod on chicken drumsticks (deboned and cut into strips). The definite go-to baits are cheese and also Bardi grubs. Sometimes they will be feeding on shrimps or yabbies, you just have to be flexible. The only other things I can tell you are to be persistent and fish hard up to the snags. Good luck. Let us all know how you get on. Cheers, bn

[thefenno]

G’day BN, thanks for the tips, much appreciated! I’ll keep at it and try the chicken too. I’ve heard that from one other person too actually. A local mentioned that the bigger cods tend to hit the chicken more reliably around here, so I’ll have to give it a go. I’d like to get out during the twilight hours but I’ve got a four month old boy and that’s prime time for bathing and getting him to bed, and I like being around to help with that. I might try and squeeze one night a week in though. And I’ll persist with the well trodden spots after what you said too. I hadn’t thought of it like that. 

 

If anyone else in the area has local cod fishing experience please chime in and add your bit. I’ll take any advice offered, no matter how small.

 

Cheers guys,

 

Fenno

[dirvin21]

try a 5-6 inch soft plastic either grub or paddle-tail rigged weedless, in heavily fished areas a subtle approach can make the difference  

[big Neil]

One other thing that will help Fenno. When there's a good flow in the water BAIT FISHING is the go. The aroma? from the bait will travel further and Cod will zone in on it. When there's little or no current. moving baits are best. Spinnerbaits, hardbody lures, surface lures, lightly weighted soft plastics. Plod on mate and post your results. Good luck. bn

 

[thefenno]

Thanks guys for the helpful tips! I’ll be sure to give them both a crack and post any success when I find some.

Cheers, Fenno

[thefenno]

Dropped into a certain 3 letter name tackle shop today and spent a small fortune. I bought the grubs and paddle tails to try out. Plus more braid, mono, some jig heads, some spinner baits, a stump jumper, braid nippers..... and then a new rod and real.... I really can’t be trusted in there and a few other auto and building stores that shall remain nameless. But the bottom line is I was all set up for chasing bass on super light gear before and now I’m more set up for chasing cod and yellow belly on a setup that would suit a lot of other applications too. And I get to start learning about the frustration of getting my head around fishing with a baitcaster for the first time! I know I didn’t need it but it looks like a lot of fun once you do the hard work to learn how to use it.

Just waiting for a moment to go try out the tips you guys passed on.

Hope you’re catching some.

Cheers, Fenno

[big Neil]

3 hours ago, thefenno said:

Dropped into a certain 3 letter name tackle shop today and spent a small fortune. I bought the grubs and paddle tails to try out. Plus more braid, mono, some jig heads, some spinner baits, a stump jumper, braid nippers..... and then a new rod and real.... I really can’t be trusted in there and a few other auto and building stores that shall remain nameless. But the bottom line is I was all set up for chasing bass on super light gear before and now I’m more set up for chasing cod and yellow belly on a setup that would suit a lot of other applications too. And I get to start learning about the frustration of getting my head around fishing with a baitcaster for the first time! I know I didn’t need it but it looks like a lot of fun once you do the hard work to learn how to use it.

Just waiting for a moment to go try out the tips you guys passed on.

Hope you’re catching some.

Cheers, Fenno

Mate, you're right into it now with all that gear. I would encourage you to put a suitably weighted sinker on the baitcaster and practice "thumbing the spool". Make sure that you set the reel to allow the lure to SLOWLY lower to the ground, every time you change lure. You don't want to be untangling when the fish are biting. Use about 5 ft of leader joined to the braid with an FG knot. Can't wait to read your reports. Good luck. bn

[thefenno]

Cheers mate. I rigged it all up last night, 5-6 ft of leader with an FG knot as you said. I’ll be practicing a lot before I take it out to use it I think. Thanks for the idea with the sinker, I’ll give it a go. Typical, the first day I can practice with it we have storms.... probably not a smart idea practicing outside today then! Hopefully, with a lot of practice and persistence, I start seeing some fish now!

Cheers, Fenno

[T_Bert83]

Gday Fenno,

Big Neil has given some very handy tips. Definitely target low light periods especially in heavily fished areas. Although in saying that one of my biggest cod came from the middle of the day at a main river crossing.

When fishing the middle of the day look for shady areas such as overhanging trees and laid down trees are other productive areas. Quite often it can take multiple casts to get a reaction so hit the one snag over and over. Also recast to a snag after a fish has been caught as often there are more than one fish sitting on one piece of cover.

As far as lures go don't overthink it they will eat anything presented in the right spot. I've caught them on harbodies, soft vibes, spinnerbaits, surface lures (paddlers and rats) and swimbaits. Biggest isn't always the best either I've caught a lot of fish on 90mm vibes when big swimbaits weren't getting a look in. 

Hope this helps cheers,

Trav