End of 2022 cod trip

[dirvin21]

Amy and I were lucky enough to have new years off together, with the river looking great out west the only option was cod fishing.

Our favourite form of fishing in our favourite spot, we made the near 6 hour drive to the NP there were a few people (usually empty) but the river was looking great. A quick camp set-up and we were on the river 

We decided to leave the video cams behind for our first session we just wanted a relaxing low pressure session, what a mistake that turned out to be.

The river was looking amazing as ever

We by passed the top pools with the aim of fishing back towards camp as daylight faded later on, after our usual bush bash, hand walking yaks down a rapid and me going for an early swim, we started casting.

Conditions were perfect, our plan of attack was ise our usual 5inch plastics rigged weedless, it took Amy all of 5 minutes to get hit, the fish ended up running her into trees but with some persuasion it came back out

A really nice fish to get us started, gave us a obligatory cod shower on release luckily it was hot 🔥 

So with confidence booming we got the casts flying and of course whilst I'm finally getting half an enquiry Amy's on again, the fish really went hard and after some good angling Amy had number 2 on board

Another quality fish  so now I'm 2 down literally minutes later I'm about to cast at the fish I got hit by Amy's on a 3rd time I actually may have muttered a profanity 

A really nice cod and the biggest for the trip, now I'm 3 down.

I couldn't get a touch yet Amy was getting hit nearly every cast just wouldn't hook up, finally whilst having a day dream lifting my plastic out of the water a cod mouth appears snaps shut with a crack and gives me a shower scaring the life out of me

Finally a fish on the board another nice healthy specimen

Of course Amy couldn't allow that so 5 minutes later

She has to get another  it was definetly her session.

The hits kept coming for Amy but I still couldn't tempt any I reckon I had 1 hit to her 15 or so, thinking she was getting plagued by yellabelly.

The light fading we made our way back up, I really needed another fish one little pocket looked to good not to cast and thankfully I  was right

Another nice cod to restore a bit of pride.

As were finishing up on dark, Amy landed yet another cod only a smallie but any cod is a good cod.

That ended session number 1 with Amy smashing it, and yes she was chuffed.

The next morning we set off to a different section we haven't fished before, it saddens me when I see set lining Amy did mention to those responsible it's illegal but they just shrugged, another report to fisheries.

The fishing was a little slow with Amy having a couple of follows, we stopped had a swim getting munched by big shrimps which bloody hurt. We changed our lures to small chatterbaits, if it ain't working try something else not long after I was rewarded

Kept the casts going for another cod of similar size,

but with the sun high and hot and even a red belly wanting a dip

we had a swim and pulled out for lunch  went for a spin up to the falls lookout

And had lunch by the river near camp

Recharged we hit the river for another evening session we did the same thing, and again it didn't take long for Amy to get hit with a boof so loud beside her kayak that scared the crap out of both of us, inspired I put on a surface lure it didn't take long for it to get nailed

Tried surface for a bit longer but with no luck switched back to the plastic, first cast gets nailed by a cracker which I saw but couldn't pin, this started the most insane cod bite I've ever witnessed thet were all over my plastic near every cast they just wouldn't hook up, my theory is they were so agro they hit it and kept charging forward so the line wouldn't come up tight

Thankfully I did manage to pin one

Poor Amy in a complete role reversal couldn't turn a trick for the arvo session, but with 11 cod landed for the trip, so many hits and absolutely buggered we were happy to head back to camp and spend new years eve by the fire

definitely an unbeatable way to end 2022, hopefully 2023 will see some great fishing

cheers for reading

Dave

[Little_Flatty]

What a way to see out 2022 Dave. Some beautiful fish there!

Just curious how you weight your weedless SPs. I tend to move between snakelockz and Texas rigging, just interested to see how others do it.

[Blackfish]

Fantastic report and photos Dave and Amy.

What a great way to end the year. 👍

[big Neil]

A quality report of an amazing trip to Cod country. Is there a better way to end a year?

I hope that your fishing trips in 2023 are successful for you both.

Cheers, Neil

[dirvin21]

1 hour ago, Little_Flatty said:

What a way to see out 2022 Dave. Some beautiful fish there!

Just curious how you weight your weedless SPs. I tend to move between snakelockz and Texas rigging, just interested to see how others do it.

For cod fishing I use chinlockz 1/8 oz HWS or similar weight, if I want extra weight I tie small ball sinker into the look knot

For everything else, jacks, barra etc I use snakelockz

[R E G I C Y C L E]

Awesome report with some nice fish!

Looks like a great spot 👌 

[Rebel]

Super report & Super photos.

Well done you two.

Cheers.

[Bryant fish]

That looks so nice my wife is to scared of snakes and doesn't  like camping  I'm  jealous  have a great time 

[bessell1955]

What a great Cod fishing session.

[rickmarlin62]

Nice work  im hittin trout tmrw mear walcha then cod wednesday

[Centrepin]

Well done Dave and Amy. Good to see the ladies doing well.