Murray Cod Lures

Guide to Choosing the Best Murray Cod Lures

Murray cod is Australia's largest freshwater fish and an apex predator, capable of growing to more than 100kg in weight and 1.8 metres in length. The species has become legendary among anglers for its sheer size, aggressive territorial nature, and power. Murray cod are also very smart, so you need the right tackle and a solid fishing technique to lure them to the hook. This guide will help you find the best Murray cod lures and increase your chances of enticing a strike.

Murray Cod Lures vs Live Bait

Murray cod are predators that respond well to traditional baits such as yabbies, prawns, and worms. However, many dedicated cod anglers prefer lures over live bait for several compelling reasons:

• Covers more ground – Lure fishing allows you to explore vast stretches of water that would be impossible with stationary bait fishing. You can systematically work the structure and cover more territory, increasing your chances of locating active fish.
• Reusability – Unlike live bait, which needs constant replacement, quality cod fishing lures can last years. They are far more cost-effective in the long run, especially when aiming for trophy-sized cod.
• Variety – Diverse cod lures excel in different scenarios, giving you the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions. From surface lures to deep divers and vibrating chatterbaits, you can experiment with presentations and choose the best option to trigger reaction strikes.

The Best Types of Lures for Murray Cod

Choosing the right cod lure depends on many factors, including water clarity, depth, and structure. Ideally, you'll need several Murray cod lure variations in your tackle box.

• Surface Cod Lures. Topwater lures create enticing disturbances that trigger cod's predatory instincts. They're particularly deadly during low-light conditions—dawn, dusk, or overcast days—when cod are more likely to venture into shallow water. The wake, splash, and gurgle of a well-worked surface lure can provoke the explosive strikes you're waiting for.
• Swimbaits and Soft Plastics. Soft plastic artificial lures mimic baitfish and yabbies with incredibly lifelike action. Large paddle tails and creature baits are particularly effective when worked with slow retrieves near structure. The natural swaying motion of swimbaits accurately imitates the movement of a cod's favoured prey, making them irresistible. They are perfect when fishing deeper pools and slower sections of river.
• Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits. These versatile lures excel in snaggy areas and murky water where Murray cod love to hide. Their flashing blades and vibrations alert cod to their presence even in low-visibility conditions. For added effectiveness, choose spinnerbaits or chatterbaits designed for targeting yellowbelly—these typically feature throbbing vibration and bright, high-contrast colours that help cut through dirty water. While originally intended for golden perch, their action and visibility also make them excellent for Murray cod. The upturned hook design of these lures makes them snag-resistant, so you can confidently work them through timber and rocky structures where cod lurk.
• Deep Diving Hardbodies. Hardbody cod lures are your go-to option when trolling deeper waters with submerged structures. Their pronounced diving lips help them dive down 5-10 metres into lakes and rivers, where trophy cod usually hold. Suspending Hardbody lures maintain their action even at slow trolling speeds, creating the perfect presentation for tempting cautious fish.

What Colours Work Best for Murray Cod?

The colour of your Murray cod lures can dramatically impact your success rate. To make the right choice, adjust your lure colour to water conditions:

• In clear water, opt for natural colours like black and reds, browns, and silvers that closely match local baitfish or yabbies.
• In murky water, use bright and UV colours such as chartreuse, purple, and pink to help cod locate your lure during low visibility.

When and Where to Use Murray Cod Lures

Murray cod are opportunistic predators that respond to seasonal changes, light conditions, and structure availability:

• Fishing time. The best times of day to fish for Murray cod are dawn and dusk. They provide prime feeding windows when cod become more active and willing to move from cover to attack your lures. Night fishing is also very productive, bringing in the largest fish.
• Water depth preferences. Depending on temperature and season, Murray cod are found in both shallow and deep water. During warmer months, target deeper holes and cooler water; in winter, focus on shallower areas that warm faster during the day.
• Structure targeting. Snags, submerged trees, and rock walls are absolute cod magnets. These ambush predators love to hold tight to structure, waiting for prey to swim by. Cast your lures as close as possible to these features for best results.
• Trolling techniques. The ideal trolling speed is about 2-4 km/h, significantly slower than you'd troll for many other species. This deliberate pace maintains your cod lures' optimal swimming action while giving fish enough time to commit to striking.

Shop our Cod Lures Range at Fishing Superstore

The Fishing Superstore offers an extensive range of Murray cod, flathead, barra, kingfish, bream, bass and carp lures from Australia's most trusted brands. Our comprehensive selection can help you find the perfect lure for any condition or fishing style.

We also offer free shipping on all orders over $49, with same-day dispatch on most items. Plus, if you get the wrong product, you can return it hassle-free, no questions asked.

Shop our selection of the most effective Murray cod lures in Australia and equip yourself with quality tackle that actually performs when it counts.