Big n Shallow

We come in for a bit of flak “we lure trollers”. Often seen as the poor cousin to the casting brigade, I’ve fielded good natured jibes from mates, been called a “drag queen”, as well as other unsavoury titles. But that’s ok. I smile and nod, and then turn to my frequent fishing mate Jas’, “who gets the fish Jas?”. “We do Rog.....” Damn straight.

I don’t have any form of live imaging, but I’m very keen to listen to anyone who has. And when I listen, I become more and more convinced, that we cod lure trollers have been on the right track the entire time. More about this in a future piece, stay tuned.

Bugs

JD Eddy Lures have been around for a fair while now. Whilst I’ve never owned a heap of them, I’ve always been a fan of the Super Bug and had a few of that model. They’re a great swimmer, built like a Darwin outhouse and come in a range of colors that catch the angler’s eye. And let’s face it, if you don’t catch the anglers eye in the tackle shop (firstly), you sure as hell won’t have it in the arsenal, to catch a fish’s eye later.

This season, the “Mul” variation (available in the 100mm Python and 85mm Bug) has got my attention. The cycles in fishing go around and around, it wasn’t that long ago we were in the “deeper the better” spin, with big sized lures carrying monster bibs plumbing the depths. The Mul is the other end of this cycle, big lures sporting undersized bibs. Look out, someone realised not all the big fish come from the deep!

Shallow?

As a Murray cod destination Lake Mulwala is very dear to we cod fishers. It’s not the only destination carrying cod, but it would be fair to say that it’s the Mecca, for green fish. These big lures with the shallow bibs and “Mul” moniker, are a nod to the mighty lake and a definite hint that no one should overlook the shallower margins, when looking for cod.

Trolling shallow does it for me. I’ve had big chunks of lures and trolled the 30ft (sorry, I always talk in feet when talking depth), but quite frankly I’d need arms like Popeye to do that all the time. Trolling average lures in the 8 to 14 foot mark is where it’s at for me. It’s comfortable, I can have a refreshing “creamy soda” while I fish and the poor old 30 year Nurse/Paramedic back lives to fish another day. Anyone who knows me, knows the enduring #2 Stumpjumper is my major go to for this style of fishing. But these Mul variations of the JD Eddys caught my eye, and for good reason. Read on.....

I reckon we were “sold a pup” years ago. Early successful cod lure trollers said we had to be smashing the bottom, smashing the structure. Now lets think about that just a little. Where are the cod’s eyes? On the top of it’s head! Mr cod spends most of his time looking up. Sure the lure plowing through the structure and mud will occasionally get a fish, but I reckon the majority of my best cod, have come with a free swimming lure, trolled near, but not in the woodwork and silt. Sometimes the captures come from quite high in the water column. Let the cod actually see the lure, not have to go looking for it. Try it....

Which brings me back to these shallower (than traditional) JD Eddys “Mul” Murray cod lures. This range is specifically designed, to put a nice chunk of a Murray cod lure, right in the strike zone of a shallower holding fish. Trolled or cast, your lure will be right where the fish can see it, and thats a good thing!

Where?

I choose my destinations so I can troll, looking for nice depths of between 8 and 14 feet. I took my first purchase of Muls to the Goulburn River at Nagambie, and was immediately rewarded with quality fish. Both the Bug and the Python have a great cod enticing action and on any given day can be switched from the long, imposing Python profile, to the shorter, tubby squat profile. Actually that sounds like a couple of my fishing Mates to be honest. No names, no pack drill......

Back to Nagambie. Typical of my favourite waters, there’s a lot of ledges and drop offs and plenty of 12 foot depth to run the Python over. The striking blue white shade which first grabbed my eye, also grabbed the eye of a prowling cod, one of a couple landed for the day, on the mighty Mul.

Without doubt, each JD Eddy Lures Mul is designed to handle the rigors of the savage Murray cod strike. They are a moulded lure, so no hollow or rattle, have a solid, screwed wire and bib construction and carry quality VMC trebles. Aussie designed, built and tough, for Aussie Murray cod.

Finally……

The JD Eddy wall at McCredden’s Fishing and Outdoors, is quite literally a sea of color. If you’re not tempted to take a couple of the brilliant designs home, there’s a chance you may be colorblind. Talk to the McCredden’s knowledgeable team about all your JD Eddy Lures needs, they have the whole extensive range and are happy to help. Pay particular attention to the “Mul” ranges in Python and Bug however. I reckon big angry lures, a little higher in the water column is the way to go.

Darky out....

Authors note: the Author has no association with JD Eddy Lures. All lures were paid for with his hard earned, or at least put on the wife’s credit card for discovery at a later date.......