Every genuine cod aficionado should be acting like a kid at Christmas as season of the green fish begins.

Over the past three months we have faced water conditions not seen for 10 years or more, so the fishing should be interesting if not a little tough for the first month or so of the season.

Once the water clarity settles and a bit of warmth creeps back into the now plentiful H2O, fishing should improve out of sight. Most areas seem to flourish after a good flush.

Throughout October there were minimal reports as deluge after deluge brought large and dirty inflows from further upstream.

Bait fishers produced the best results with scrub worms, shrimp and yabbies the best choices. With visibility down to less than 30cm, there were very few reports of lure-caught fish.

It’s always a challenge trying to anticipate what the new trends will be in the coming cod season.

Bladed lures have been a massive hit for the bream fishos and are creeping into the native scene.

Blades up to 90mm long specifically designed for Cod have been put out by Koolabung and Jaz Lures and I’m sure these will find a place into most lure fanatics’ tackle boxes over the next season and account for many fish.

Early reports from those who have used them for golden perch have been very positive.

Another product that’s taken my eye and is sure to account for plenty of fish is the new LED-impregnated flashing lure from Ballista Lures.

Once this lure is immersed in water it creates a circuit that makes a small LED light flash inside. This technology has been around for a while but the Ballista range has been specifically developed for targeting cod and golden perch by James Dainton from Shepparton.

The Cod Classic is almost upon us and thousands of anglers will flock to Lake Mulwala to celebrate the event that marks the opening to Cod season. There’ll be $125,000 in prizes, including seven boating packages and much more so many happy participants will go home with bags of goodies.

Many special guests will be appearing including Merv Hughes, Rod Mackenzie, Gus Storer, Hodgie the Barefoot Fisherman and many tackle and lure manufacturers.

At the end of the month the fourth Golden $$ competition was run. Designed as a golden perch, lure-only event with rules to minimise cod captures, 34 anglers competed for the $3000 cash on offer.

All had to work overtime to produce fish. Participants battled wind and rain in the five-hour morning session for no fish, then Simon De Oliviera and Wayne Stephens managed to find a school of yellas in open water. They jigged TN60 Jackalls and Daiwa Pro Vibes to land six fish in less than 30minutes.

A distant second were Wazza Hicks and his mate Dave from Mooroopna, with Graeme Clarke and Jim Taylor from Wagga Wagga third. Biggest yella for the day was 44cm. This was a well-supported event sure to grow in the future.

All the best for the upcoming season.