In small rivers, due to the condensed nature of their aquatic playground, Murray cod will tend to hold in all manner of makeshift cover. A complex labyrinth of underwater tunnels, hidey-holes and vantage points defines almost every one of these intricate aquatic ecosystems.
One specific area of a small river that often gets overlooked for the more sexy snags, such as drowned timber and isolated rock bars, is a river’s seemingly baron centre corridor. Traditionally, the centre strip of a small river is its deepest point, marked by the old riverbed.
There are two ways that we have found best to tackle this area of river and that is through probing casts adjacent to dominant structure, or via a brisk troll between casting locations. The aforementioned method will have us position the Hobie to first shower the chosen snag with a series of methodical casts, before turning our attention to the deep middle of the river adjacent to the snag.
While you will find good fish right through the centre corridor of all small rivers, for the best bang for your buck, it is best to concentrate your casts near some severed timber or similar felled structure. The increased potential for structure that has made its way to the middle of the river, will ensure you are combing the most productive portion of deep river.
The second technique, which has turned a scale for us on a number of occasions, is as simple as it sounds. Good friends and fishing brothers, Brendan and Damien Giason, use this method with uncanny effectiveness. It really is as easy as simply flicking a short cast out the back of the Hobie and criss-crossing the main channel as you move towards your next target.
Pausing the foot petals and allowing your sinking lure to waft to the bottom, before kick starting your feet-propelled engine, is as elaborate as this method gets. But don’t be fooled by its simplicity, it’s a sure fire method to put a bend in your graphite.
