Cam Fishing - Guide to freshwater lures

by Cameron Jones.

PART 1

Freshwater fishing continues to gain in popularity each year, as more and more coastal and big city anglers seek out the peace and tranquility of the picturesque environment that surrounds many of our freshwater rivers and impoundments. From our largest freshwater native the Murray Cod to the aggressive Australian bass, the opportunities available are endless.

Unlike the often-slow meticulous nature of bait fishing, the use of artificial lures that include soft plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, crankbaits and surface lures tend to trigger an attack response or reflex strike from fish. The more active nature of lure fishing also enables the angler to probe structure and whilst covering more water than a static or slow drifting bait.

The lure or "Artificial" as it is known, typically incorporates some form of hardware for added appeal and fish attraction through either flash or vibration. Because fishing conditions are constantly changing, it is essential to be able to adapt to these changes to remain successful. This is why so many quality anglers utilise the widest range of components into their presentations and are continually fine-tuning or refining lure size, shape and colour until results are forthcoming. Remember also that the speed at which a lure should be retrieved is generally dictated by water temperature or seasonal habits.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

Our vast continent has a network of interconnecting rivers and streams that are home to a large range of species. On the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range, freshwater rivers flow into tidal estuaries that pour out into the sea. These tidal waterways are home to the popular Australian Bass, which is found from the Mary River in Queensland down to Gippsland in Victoria. The aggressive nature of the bass means that it will respond to most lure patterns from surface lures, crankbaits, soft plastic's and jigs. They feed heavily during the warmer months on insects, small baitfish, crabs and prawns. Lures that mimic such food items stand the best chance of arousing their curious nature.

To the west of the range, almost the whole of southeastern Australia's inland is part of the Murray Darling Basin. This area includes parts of southern Queensland, NSW, ACT, Victoria and South Australia and covers approximately 14% of the total area of Australia. The fishing within this area suffers greatly from mans intervention with the natural environment thus effecting the overall quality of the fishery. Drought is also a constant threat each year, effecting the reproduction and migration of most native species. A general reduction in river bag limits and the growing trend toward catch and release has started to improve the fishing in some regions, although it will require a constant effort if things are to ever return to the tranquil fish rich waters of the past.

Some inland rivers are large enough to allow boat anglers easy access to troll deep diving lures or spinnerbaits along snag filled banks. However many rivers are generally too narrow or inaccessible for boats, offering the land based angler some unique tranquil waters in which to cast lures for Murray cod, golden perch, silver perch and trout.

IMPOUNDMENTS

Impoundments have for years been like a saving grace for many freshwater anglers as natural rivers become choked, polluted, overfished or simply dry out due to drought. These large catchment areas are built to retain water for supply to neighbouring towns and cities. Intern these impoundments provide an ideal environment for many native species to flourish. Most impoundment waters still have naturally occurring stocks of native fish, although the assistance of stocking via angling clubs and fisheries has attributed to outstanding population growths.

Impoundment natives have certain similarities to their sturdy river cousins, although they often display traits peculiar to the areas in which they develop. This is directly related to the cover and the type of forage they depend upon. The growth rates of fish in impoundments often exceeds river fish by 20%, due to the relative abundance of food, and ease at which it can be obtained. This is another feature that explains the growing popularity in fishing such waterways.