Fisherman ‘Over the Moon’ After Reeling in Record-Breaking 4.4-Foot Cod in South Australia: news

Angler Lands Record-Breaking 4.4-Foot Murray Cod in South Australia

South Australian sports angler Kasey Parkinson has etched his name into the record books after landing an enormous 1,355-millimeter (approximately 4.4-foot) Murray cod along the River Murray. The remarkable catch has been officially certified by the Australian National Sportfishing Association (ANSA) as both a South Australian and national length record.

The Catch of a Lifetime

Parkinson was testing a Bassman SiliJig on the South Australian stretch of the Murray River when the apex native predator struck. The take was so violent it nearly ripped the rod from his hands. While fighting the fish boatside, the sheer scale of the cod became apparent; it barely fit inside the landing net.

Initial brag mat measurements showed the fish stretching to approximately 1,370 mm, though official certification later confirmed a verified record length of 1,355 mm after accounting for mat placement during photography. The catch eclipsed his previous personal best of roughly 1,300 mm.

Certified Record and Safe Release

Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii) are Australia’s largest strictly freshwater fish and a cultural icon of the Murray-Darling Basin. Reaching lengths over one meter requires decades of growth, making specimens exceeding 1.3 meters exceptionally rare.

In line with conservation guidelines and strict native fishery regulations, Parkinson prioritized fish welfare. After taking verified measurements and photos on the mat, he released the giant cod unharmed back into the Murray River.

Following the formal approval of the ANSA length record, Parkinson shared that he was “over the moon,” describing the certified national milestone as an unforgettable high point in his angling career.