As we tread purposely into big cod season one set of creepy critters that should feature on every angler’s radar are creature baits. Unlike traditional cod baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, hardbodies and swimbaits that primarily mimic fish, creature baits look to imitate other staple foods of a cod’s diverse diet.
I’m talking aquatic dwelling animals like water rats, shags, water dragons, platypi and territorial creatures like rodents, lizards, bats and even budgerigars – yes, you read right, budgerigars (keep reading).
These unusual-looking creature baits are best tossed during a transition of season, especially Summer to Autumn, as Murray Cod look for a sizeable snack to bolster their blubber before the icy winter chill hits.
Mudeye Thingy & Cousin It
A lot of the kudos for sneaking creature baits into the mainstream in Australia must go to the pioneering work of the Mudeye Thingy.
Based on a kids toy that was retrofitted with trebles by Mudeye founder Jamie Fleet, the Thingy is a wooden diving hardbody wrapped in a fur coat with a wagging tail. Due partly to its cod catching capabilities, the rodent family has recently grown with a bigger brethren, Cousin It, added to the stable in 2017.
For anyone who has fished these baits, you will know of their big fish pulling power, especially if you work them ultra-slow, just under the surface, like a marauding water rat.
Beaver Baits
Another equally successful creature bait is the Baby Beaver and XL Beaver from Beaver Baits out of the US and in Australia via the Swimbait Specialist Down Under.
Looking like a trout fly on Bulgarian steroids, these are the most unique creature bait available on the Aussie market.
Made up of a combination of high impact plastic pieces, premium deer hair finished off with a rubber tail. Each body piece is hand tied with deer hair and connected together with heavy duty stainless split rings.
The rubber tail is moulded onto the extra strong Mustad treble and is attached to the bait with a split ring making it replaceable.
From my experience, there is no right or wrong way to fish this ‘creature jerkbait’. Twitch it, jerk it, hop it, pulse it…or snap on a set of Beaver Blades and slow roll it – but be warned, they catch cod, BIG cod!
Barambah Blue Tongue and Budgie
For the surface lovers, one of the most eye-catching creatures to slither onto the Aussie scene is the Blue Tounge masterpiece, by Nitro Matt Fraser at Barambah Lures. While it wouldn’t look out of place above the fireplace, due to its peerless paint job, the 25cm+ Blue Tounge surface wakebait is a cod-catching juggernaut.
Worked tantalisingly slow across the surface the hand-crafted wooden bait looks so real I’ve had it, on more than one occasion, attacked by a circling hawk – I kid you not!
Another Matt masterpiece is his very unique looking Barambah Manic Budgie lure. These eye-popping creations are designed as a surface wakebate with a rear fitted propeller that seriously imitates an injured bird flapping aimlessly on the top.
Access to Matt’s creature creations is infrequent, at best, as they are all carefully hand carved. However, for anyone interested it’s best to give his Facebook page a follow and keep a keen eye on his posts – Barambah Lures Facebook Page
Creature Future
While these are just a small sample of the creatures currently scurrying and swimming around the Murray Cod scene, all of them would be a great starting point for any angler looking to try something a bit creepy this big cod season.
Creatures Frequently Featured