April generally provides fairly stable weather, I guess that’s why it is so popular with campers over the Easter break.

The days are relatively warm, and the nights are just the right temperature for a nice fire and a cold beverage. That said, I would still be packing some Winter woollies and some rain gear, just in case.

The bigger impoundments such as Burrendong and Wyangala are full and can accommodate a large number of visitors. The fishing in both impoundments has been good.

A full Burrendong is a huge impoundment, quite daunting in fact when you first see it. The key with such big water is to break it down into sections, main basin, middle reaches and arms – don’t try and fish it all in one trip, that would be impossible.

It’s very easy in such an impoundment to get caught up in running all over the dam. Remember, fish don’t live in air they live in water, and that’s where your lure or bait has to be to catch one.

A quality depth sounder and the knowledge to interpret what it is showing you are of great value in such a large impoundment. The sounder allows you to concentrate on areas where there are fish, rather than where they are not.

Catching what you can see on the sounder is another thing, but you have already won half the battle.

Once you get to know your sounder and have confidence in it, you can target different species and bigger fish.

Trolling lures allows you to cover water, catch fish and gather information at the same time; it’s something I do a lot when visiting an impoundment for the first time or revisiting one that has had a major water level change.

You are quickly gathering information about water temperature, bottom composition, baitfish activity and fish concentrations – all good stuff.

If your boat is set up so you can quickly glance at your sounder while running at speed, so much the better – you may stumble across a little hump just loaded with fish.

Don’t discount submerged or semi-submerged trees out in deep water at Burrendong, Windamere, or Wyangala. Just because they may be in 20m of water and a long way from the bank does not mean they won’t produce fish. The limbs provide great cover and shade for baitfish and predators.

Big golden perch are semi-permanent residents on the right trees. Which tree, though; sometimes there are hundreds?

Big ones out on their own are like little islands and can attract more fish; one that’s semi-submerged and out off a point is also good.

Next time you’re out in the paddock or on a country road, check out those big old gumtrees, the ones with all the limbs missing. Where are all the limbs?

If farmer Joe has not picked them up they are usually around the base of the tree, which is a great mental picture to have in your head when you’re fishing such a tree on the water. The horizontal structure they provide can be dynamite in the right depth of water.

The cooler nights of April can trigger a cod feeding binge before things get a little tough for them during Winter.

I guess it’s like the kids fighting over the last half dozen chips left in the newspaper – who has the final say? If it’s anything like my place, it’s usually me!

Yes, I will be called a big meanie and most probably get a sideways frown from the good wife but those last half dozen chips in the newspaper are mine….

Same for the cod – the bigger fish get more active and they know from experience what’s ahead; the smaller fish will just have to wait their turn.