Murray Codference to lure fishers to Shepparton

Taylor Hunt presenting at Murray codference © Victorian Fisheries Authority

Murray cod © Victorian Fisheries Authority

Murray cod fishers will descend on Shepparton for the 7th Murray Codference, once again being held in the heart of the Goulburn Valley on Saturday 16 November from 9am to 4pm.

Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said the free event has become a favourite for native fishing enthusiasts and will once again feature presentations from a host of experts, including renowned recreational fishers Lubin Pfeiffer, Kate Norman, Colby Lesko and Robbie Alexander.

"Our Codference has become one of the most highly anticipated dates for cod fishers from Victoria and interstate and it's a great way to get you primed for the season opening again in many lakes and rivers on December 1," Mr Dowling said.

"Attendees can learn how some of the best fishers in the country target and catch metre-long cod, the latest on our record-breaking stocking effort and updates on the project to triple the size of our Arcadia hatchery - which is just a short drive down the road from Shepp."

This year's event will be held at a new venue - the GV Hotel on High Street - and has again attracted an array of renowned cod fishing experts from Victoria and interstate.

Recognised as Australia's pre-eminent recreational fisher, keynote speaker Lubin Pfeiffer travels the globe in search of great fishing experiences as part of TV programs BigAngryFish and Full Scale Fishing Adventures. He has also represented Australia at world fly fishing championships, but his love for Murray cod and immense skill catching them keeps him coming back to the iconic native species in Victoria's rivers and lakes.

Fishing personality and photographer Robbie Alexander, who has more than 130,000 followers on his Robbiefishing Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages, will share basics for beginners so you can get the family wetting a line and catching their first cod.

Young guns of the recreational fishing scene, Colby Lesko and Kate Norman, will help you catch your next 'metery' and all speakers will discuss using livescope or active targeting in cod fishing.

The VFA and project partners will also share the latest on construction of the Arcadia hatchery expansion, Cracking the Code on Macquarie perch production and the 10inTen initiative to boost numbers of threatened species at the Snobs Creek conservation hatchery.

"This year's Codference will be our best yet and we'd love to see you there, chat fishing and share lunch as we get set for a bumper summer of cod fishing," Mr Dowling said.

Tickets for the event are free, lunch will be provided and spaces are expected to fill up fast. To register and find out more head to vfa.vic.gov.au/murraycodference.