Murray Cod Lures and Baits: Catch More Cod With These Winners

Top Murray Cod baits, backed by experts & seasoned anglers.

Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii) are incredible freshwater predators native to Australia. Anglers target them for their size and incredible fight. Catching them with consistent success requires a good understanding of their feeding behaviours, habitat, and food preferences. This guide provides in-depth detail on how to select and present both natural and artificial baits, including optimal colours, sizes, lure brands, appropriate rigs, and tactical approaches to improve your chance of catching Murray Cod.

Matching Lures Or Bait To Locations

Murray Cod are found across a range of Aussie freshwater environments—each requiring a different approach to land these iconic giants. In upland streams and rocky gorges, stealth and surface lures work best, especially when fished tight to timber and boulders. Lowland rivers, with their slow flows and heavy structure, call for precise casts with spinnerbaits or hard-bodies during low light. Impoundments like Lake Mulwala demand big swimbaits or deep-diving lures to reach deeper fish, often best trolled or cast at first and last light. Even urban lakes stocked for rec fishing can produce quality cod with the right gear. Understanding where you’re fishing is only half the battle—selecting the right lures and baits is what really turns casts into cod. Let’s dive into the proven favourites that consistently deliver results.

Murray Cod Facts

Murray Cod are Australia’s largest native, freshwater fish. Reaching lengths over 1.3 metres and weights exceeding 50 kg.
They are a slow growing and long lived fish, living up to 50 – 60 years.
Murray Cod are endemic to the Murray-Darling Basin, spanning across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and parts of South Australia.
They are ambush predators, often lurking around submerged logs, rock bars, or undercut banks, where they pounce on prey with explosive force.

The keys to
catching more cod

Selecting gear that matches both the water and your cod-fishing approach

Know your water – Whether you’re fishing narrow rivers, deep impoundments, or shallow gorges, each setting demands different gear. Rivers and creeks require shorter, accurate casts near structure, while large lakes call for heavy-duty setups capable of long casts or trolling deeper water.
Choose the right rod and reel – Use medium to heavy spin or baitcast combos (6’–7’6”) with strong backbone and smooth drag—built for battling big cod.
Line matters – Spool with 30–60 lb braid and pair it with a 20–50 lb fluorocarbon leader for strength and abrasion resistance near snags.
Lure selection – Cod strike hard and often without warning. Surface paddlers are thrilling in low light and shallow zones. Spinnerbaits are ideal for snag-laden rivers, while large swimbaits, wakebaits, and deep divers excel in impoundments. Choose lure size, action, and depth based on water conditions and cod behaviour—slow retrieves and accurate placement are key.

Keep reading for the best lures, baits, and tactics that consistently catch Murray Cod.

Choosing Between Bait or Lures for Murray Cod

Choosing between bait and lures for Murray Cod depends on several key factors. In tighter, land-based spots or during colder months, bait like yabbies, worms, or bardi grubs is often more effective—especially in murky water where scent helps attract fish. Lures, however, come into their own in warmer weather and clearer conditions, particularly when fishing from a boat or needing to cover more ground. Surface lures, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits work best when cod are active and willing to chase. Ultimately, your decision should be based on access, season, water clarity, and how actively you want to fish.

Choosing between live bait and lures for catching Murray Cod

🎣 Did you know?

Murray Cod can detect vibrations long before they see a lure, making action and retrieve more important than looks. A slow roll, pause, or subtle surface wobble often triggers strikes where flash alone fails. Matching your retrieve to cod behaviour is key.

Picking The Best Bait or Lures For Murray Cod

Choosing the right lures and baits for Murray Cod comes down to the environment you’re fishing and how cod behave in each. Cod are ambush predators, but their response to different presentations varies depending on depth, structure, water clarity, and temperature. Whether you’re fishing lakes, boating, or hiking into remote rivers, matching your lure or bait to the location is key to getting bites.

To help you choose effectively, here’s a breakdown of what works best in each cod environment:

Small Rivers & Creeks
Large Rivers
Lakes & Impoundments
Gorges & Rock Pools

Lures For Small Rivers & Creeks

Surface Lures

– Jackall Pompadour Jr. – Black Bone or Frog – 66mm
Best for tight water; slow roll along overhanging structure.

– Balista Hunchback 90 – Purple Beast, Goldescent.
Subtle topwater action for narrow, quiet creeks.

– Strike Pro Hunchback – Bullfrog, Dark Trout.
Small crawler for surface boils near snags.

Spinnerbaits

– Bassman Codman 5/8oz – Black/Red, Purple/Chartreuse.
Compact frame, excellent for shallow snag zones.

– TT Vortex Spinnerbait 3/8oz – Green Pumpkin, Gold Shad.
Ideal when targeting edges and pockets.

– Mud Guts – Black/Red, Purple Chartreuse.
Smaller profile for finesse spinnerbaiting.

Top Murray Cod crankbait for small rivers and creeks

Crankbaits / Shallow Divers

– Oar-Gee Wee Pee – Murray River Special – 75mm.
Shallow diver perfect for undercut banks.

– Balista Trigger 70 – Sunset, Ghost Perch.
Good visibility with LED flash, even in tannin water.

– Jackall TN60 (lipless crankbait) – Peacock, Champagne Tiger.
Sinking, rattle-heavy — great for murky or deeper holes

Lures for Large Rivers

Surface Lures

– Barambah Bidjiwong 170 – Green Dragon, Natural.
Loud surface walker for dusk patrols.

– Kingfisher Wakebait – Purple Rain, Ghost.
Best fished around timber in low light.

– Balista Tremor – Purple Beast, Lizard.
LED for night or in discoloured water; large fish zones

Spinnerbaits

– Bassman Mumbler 1oz – Black n Blue, Firetiger
Strong vibration for murky river bends.

– Mud Guts Big Guts – Green, Black n Red
Great for deep timber and swirling eddies.

– TT Lures Vortex 1oz – Black/Gold, Purple
Outside bends, sunken timber, faster runs.

Deep Divers & Swimbaits

– Oar-Gee Plow 100mm – Purple, Green, Red/Black
Proven lure in cod-heavy inland rivers.

– AC Invader 90mm – Greens, Natural, Purple
deep holes, rock ledges, timber snags, and current breaks.

– Jackall Gantia 180 – Dark or Natural
Clear deep pools, slack water behind structure.

– MegaBass Magdraft 8′ or 10′ – Olive or Trout Colour
Main channel, deep drop-offs, and boulder runs.

Lures for Lakes & Impoundments

Swimbaits

– Megabass Magdraft Freestyle 6” – White, Shad.
Rig weedless and slow-roll past standing timber.

– Savage Gear 4Play Pro 190mm – Carp, Goldfish.
Four-joint glider, great for clear lake conditions.

– Molix Glide 178 – Cod, Perch.
Big profile for hunting monster lake cod.

Cod wakebaits and surface lures for lake fishing

Wakebaits / Surface

– Balista Tremor – Black, Purple Glimmer.
Low light or night fishing around weed lines and structure.

– Jackall Gigantarel – Golden Perch, Ghost Carp.
Hybrid glide/wakebait. Deadly over weed beds.

– Koolabung Codwalker – Black/Red, Firetail, Frog.
Large bays, points, and the back of coves during early morning.

Trolling / Deep Divers

– Oar-Gee Plow – Tiger Moth, Purple Glimmer.
Deep trolling on drop-offs, submerged timber, and channels.

– StumpJumper #1 – Black/Purple, Brown/Orange.
Trolling variable depths in lake arms and floodplains.

– Predatek Boomerang 90 – Black/Chartreuse, Natural.
Ideal for winter and early spring trolling.

Lures for Gorges & Rock Pools

Rock pool and gorge lures for Murray Cod

Surface / Glide Lures

– Jackall Pompadour Jr – Black Bone or Purple Cod.
Compact for tight water w/ massive surface disturbance.

– Balista Hunchback 90 – Purple/Gold or Frog.
Retrieve slowly along cliff bases or rock faces.

– Savage Gear 3D Rat (Mini) – Brown, Black or White.
Great for deep rock pools with steep edges.

Light Cranks & Walkers

– Kingfisher Wakebait 80 – Olive Shad, Black/Gold.
Excellent in slow-moving water w/ a subtle surface roll.

– Pontoon 21 Greedy Guts – Muddler or Brown Craw.
Twitch-and-pause retrieve works well in slow pools.

– Oar-Gee Lil Ripper 75mm – Purple or Black/Red.
Perfect for bouncing off rocks in confined pools.

Swimbaits

– Megabass Magdraft (6″,8″) – Natural baitfish patterns.
slow retrieves along rock faces & submerged structures.

– Barambah Bony Shad – Carp or natural colours.
Suitable for casting into deep pools w/ slow retrieve.

– Westin HypoTeez ST – Smelt or Official Roach.
Great with both slow and fast retrieves in clear water.

Deadly Natural Baits For Each Cod Environment

Small Rivers & Creeks
Live yabbies or prawns – Rigged with a light sinker near snags.
Worms – Garden worms or scrub worms on a running sinker rig.
Cheese cubes – Surprisingly effective when drifted near structure.

Large Rivers
Bardi grubs – Premium choice for big river cod; fish near structure or drop-offs.
Large yabbies – Dead or alive, fished on a heavy-duty sinker rig.
Chunks of chicken or beef heart – Old-school but still effective when fresh and fished tight to structure.

Lakes & Impoundments
Large yabbies – Fished deep with a paternoster or running rig near submerged timber.
Cheese & garlic mix – Wrapped on a hook with bait thread; strong scent for still water cod.
Scrub worms – Multiple worms threaded on a single hook—ideal for passive sessions.

Gorges & Rock Pools
Live worms, prawns or small yabbies – Lightly weighted and drifted.
Insect-style baits – Grasshoppers or crickets, especially in summer, can be deadly.

Understanding Murray Cod Fishing Rules & Regulations

Before chasing Murray Cod, it’s important to understand the local regulations that protect this iconic species. Cod are slow-growing and heavily managed, with rules varying by state and waterway—including size limits, closed seasons, bag limits, and gear restrictions. Whether fishing a wild river or stocked impoundment, staying informed supports sustainable fishing and preserves the fishery for future generations. Use the links below to check the latest regulations in your area.

New South Wales:
Murray Cod fishing regulation

Victoria:
Murray Cod fishing regulation

South Australia:
Murray Cod fishing regulation

Queensland:
Murray Cod fishing regulation

ACT:
Murray Cod fishing regulation

FAQs

With so many lure brands on the market, her are a few of the top brands.

Below are some of the top brands based on lure type.

Spinnerbaits
– Mud Guts Spinnerbaits
– Bassman
– Molix

Hardbody Lures
– Balista
– Taylor Made
– Nils Master
– King Hit
– Megabass

Swimbaits
– Jackall Gantia
– Huddleston
– Gobsmacked
– AC Swimbait

Surface Lures
– Gobsmacked
– Koolabung Codcracker
– Balista
– Spro Frog

Soft Plastics
– Berkley Hollow Belly
– Molix
– Irukandji Sicario
– Powerbait Ripple Shad
– Jackall Gantarel

What are the best coloured lures for catching Murray Cod?

Below are the ideal colour types for different types of lures. However, a good rule of thumb is that dark colours such as black, purple, and dark green are effective in murky waters (bright colours work as well), while natural hues like olive, brown, and white are preferred in clearer conditions.

Spinnerbaits
Natural hues like green and brown are effective in clear water, while brighter colours such as chartreuse or white are preferable in murky conditions.

Hard-bodied Lures
Natural patterns resembling local baitfish are effective; however, incorporating lures with UV or fluorescent finishes can enhance visibility in deeper or stained waters.

Soft Plastics
Natural colours like silver, gold, and green pumpkin are effective; however, experimenting with brighter colours can be beneficial in certain conditions such as murky water.

Surface Lures
Dark silhouettes like black or dark green are effective for night fishing, while natural frog or mouse patterns work well during daylight.

How important is lure action for Murray Cod?

Lure action is crucial. Erratic movements can mimic injured prey, enticing cod to strike. In other scenarios, a slow and steady retrieve can be effective; or varying the speed and incorporating pauses can trigger strikes, especially if the fish are less active. It’s beneficial to experiment with different actions to see what works best in your fishing location and lure type.

Should I use different lures based on the time of the day?

There are different lures than can be more effective based on the time of the day. Check out a few tips below.

Dawn (First Light)
Best Lure Types:
– Surface paddlers (e.g. Jackall Pompadour, Barambah Bidjiwong)
– Wakebaits (e.g. Giant Flat Shad, Molix Glide 178)
– Spinnerbaits with dark skirts

Why:
Cod are most active during low light. Surface lures shine here as cod are feeding in the shallows and reacting to topwater disturbance.

Daytime (Bright & Midday Hours)
Best Lure Types:
– Deep-diving hardbodies (e.g. Oar-Gee Plow, Balista Dyno 120)
– Swimbaits (e.g. Jackall Gantarel, Megabass Magdraft)
– Spinnerbaits fished slow and deep near timber

Why:
Cod often retreat to deeper structure or shade. Use lures that can reach those depths and stay in the strike zone longer.

Dusk (Golden Hour)
Best Lure Types:
– Surface lures (as per dawn)
– Wakebaits and Glidebaits (e.g. Savage Gear 4Play, Jackall Gigantarel)
– Spinnerbaits around shallow edges

Why:
Like dawn, this is prime feeding time. Cod push into the shallows—perfect for topwater and visual presentations.

Night
Best Lure Types:
– Large paddlers and noisy surface lures
– Slow-rolled spinnerbaits
– LED-enhanced deep divers (e.g. Balista Dyno series)

Why:
Cod feed confidently at night but rely on vibration and sound. Loud, slow-moving lures that displace water help them locate and strike in the dark.

How much do Murray Cod lures cost?

Cod lures can range from a few dollars to well above $60 for the larger high quality lures. A great way to keep the costs down and still access the best lures is to look for online sales and purchase lures in the off season.