A spinnerbait has to be one of the most effective ways to target Murray cod. It's hard to believe such a crazy concoction of parts can account for so many fish — so how do you actually fish one?
Why spinnerbaits work so well for Murray cod
There are three main reasons: snag resistance, presence and versatility.
Snag resistance. We all know Murray cod are ambush predators, and there's no better place to ambush from than deep in heavy structure. To get your lure into that structure, it needs to be snag-resistant — and there aren't many better options than a spinnerbait. The wire form guides the lure through timber, while the blades shield the hooks from hanging up.
Presence. For a lure that's generally quite small in the hand, a spinnerbait presents surprisingly large in the water. Thumping blades produce plenty of vibration and flash, and skirts that bloom out add bulk, making the lure appear bigger than it is. Add a trailer plastic and you increase both profile and vibration again, drawing fish in from further away.
Versatility. Out of all the lures on the market, there isn't another quite as adaptable. Change the blade combination, change the head weight, add a trailer — the possibilities are endless.
The real beauty is being able to change it up on the water. If you find fish sitting deeper, slow your retrieve and let the spinnerbait sink down. If the fish are higher in the water column, crack it into gear as soon as it hits the water and burn it back to secure the bite.
How to actually fish a spinnerbait for cod
Target pressure points. Aim for areas on laydowns and rocky structure that fish can hide from flows and sunlight anywhere that looks like an ideal ambush position.
The 3-cast rule. Never let your first cast sink too far — a lure dropping past a fish's nose can spook it. Instead, work the water column in three passes: the first cast about 50cm deep, the second through the middle, the third about 50cm off the bottom. Once a cast produces a fish or a follow, use the count-down method to put the lure back at exactly that depth on every subsequent cast.
Retrieve. A general rule of thumb is to retrieve just fast enough to feel the blades thumping. But keep in mind this isn’t a 1 speed fits all situation, a fast burn can be super effective on fish hunting bait schools.
Bump and pause. Let the lure deflect off timber and rock. The strike almost always comes on the drop immediately after a deflection, so keep your line tight and be ready.
Set the hook with a sweep, not a strike. A slow, firm sweep to the side drives the hook home. A sharp strike often pulls the lure away before the fish has it properly.
Matching the lure to depth and structure
Although spinnerbaits can be fished in a huge variety of ways, certain weights and presentations have their strong suits:
The Creek Seeker is the perfect all-rounder — fishable from 0.5m to 4m, with a sweet spot around 2m, and it catches fish of all sizes.
The Green Seeker is my go-to. In my experience it accounts for the largest number of fish in the entire Border Bomber Lures range. It's optimised for burning over shallow water or slow-rolling through structure in 3–4m.
The Cod Bomber is built for larger cod — slow-rolled through structure and rock in 2–5m.
The Dual Wielder is the one for slowing everything down. The twinspin configuration keeps the lure in the strike zone longer and produces extra vibration to pull fish in from further away.
Gear that helps
I suggest a baitcasting setup. Recommended rods would be between 6-7ft long with a regular taper and a cast weight up to 100g. A 200 size baitcast reel with a minimum of 30lb braid (50lb recommended) with a mono or fluorocarbon leader gives you the line contact to feel blades thumping and structure ticking, without sacrificing abrasion resistance around timber.
Check your local rules
Murray cod are a protected species with closed seasons, size limits and gear restrictions that vary by state. Before you fish, check the rules for your state fisheries authority — it takes two minutes and it matters.
FAQs
What size spinnerbait should I use for Murray cod?
Generally 1/2oz to 1oz, depending on depth and current. Lighter heads for shallow water and slower presentations, heavier heads for deep timber and faster flows.
What line should I run?
Braid mainline with a mono or fluorocarbon leader is the most common setup, giving you feel and abrasion resistance.
Do you need a stinger hook for cod?
Not on a Border Bomber. Stinger hooks have their place, but they also add snag risk and extra hooks around a big fish's head. We build every spinnerbait on a stingerless platform and run longer-shank hooks instead — that improves hookups on short strikes while keeping the lure cleaner through timber. Fewer snags means more time in the strike zone.
Can you fish spinnerbaits in rivers?
Yes — this is where they truly shine. Cast into heavy structure that lines the river banks.
Shop the range
Every Border Bomber lure is hand-built in Australia, stingerless and running VMC hooks. If you're not sure where to start, the Creek Seeker is the all-rounder most anglers begin with.
