A fisherman from South Australia has made headlines after landing a monumental Murray cod during a solo trip on the Murray River. Kasey Parkinson, who recently received recognition from the Australian National Sportfishing Association (ANSA), caught the fish, which measured an impressive 4.4 feet (approximately 1.37 metres) in length. This catch has set both a state and national record, making it a significant achievement in the sportfishing community.
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Parkinson described the experience as unforgettable. He noted that the fish completely surpassed his previous record, stating, “It absolutely smashed my PB,” referring to his personal best catch. Fishing solo, he had been enjoying a productive few days prior to the moment he hooked the record cod early one morning. He explained to Yahoo News Australia that he decided to set out at dawn to make the most of the conditions.
Using equipment from Abu Garcia, a brand affiliated with Pure Fishing, Parkinson had already caught a decent fish by the time the giant cod struck his Bassman SiliJig lure around 9 a.m. The moment was nothing short of exhilarating. “It almost ripped the rod out of my hands,” he recalled, admitting he only realised the size of the fish once it was close to his boat.
Upon getting the cod into the net, which was barely large enough to accommodate the hefty catch, Parkinson’s emotions surged. In a statement, he expressed his sheer joy: “I was over the bloody moon.” The fish was measured for its official length, recorded at 1355mm, although it initially appeared longer during the photoshoot. Parkinson explained that it slipped slightly on the measuring mat, but he remained thrilled with the new achievement. His previous best record stood at around 1300mm.
Reflecting on the experience during an interview with Sunrise on Channel 7, Parkinson revealed that he had already been celebrating with a few beers after landing a significant first catch that day. The encounter with the record-breaking cod seemed almost fortuitous. “I just went around the corner, and I bumped into this one,” he said, adding with a laugh that from the video footage, it appeared easy at first glance.
However, lifting the massive fish for a photograph proved challenging. “There were a few nervous moments when I was going to net it at the back of the boat,” he said. The solo effort made handling the thrashing fish all the more daunting, with Parkinson candidly admitting the difficulty of managing such a large creature by himself.
This successful outing has not only boosted Parkinson’s fishing credentials but has also reaffirmed his love for the sport. After a brief photo session and celebratory moment with his impressive catch, he released the fish back into the water, watching as it swam away. “Still can’t believe how big this fish actually was,” he later shared on social media, emphasizing the significance of catching such an incredible specimen alone.
The story of Kasey Parkinson and his record-breaking Murray cod serves as an inspiring testament to the wonders of fishing, illustrating the thrill and unexpected joys that can come from the sport. As he continues to share his experiences with the fishing community, it is clear that this achievement will remain a memorable milestone in his angling adventures.