This time of year brings cool, crisp mornings and pleasant days that offer anglers a great chance of tangling with a magnificent Murray cod.

Lures, especially spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, will come into their own when worked slowly in 2m-5m of water around submerged timber. For those looking for a ‘horse’, deeper-diving lures more than 100mm long that can reach 6m-plus will give you the best chance.

Fishing throughout mid-Autumn slowly improved as water clarity returned after the flooding.

Early April marked the running of the 20th anniversary Invitational Mulwala Classic at the Shoreline Caravan Park, when 112 anglers from all parts of the country pitted their skill against each other over three days of fishing.

Conditions were absolutely perfect but pulling fish over the first two days of the competition was as hard as pulling teeth.

In total, 39 legal size (60cm) cod were measured and released with Gary Bolger of Bendigo taking out largest cod with a magnificent 94cm fish. Cameron Jones of Sydney was overall champion with a three legal cod over two days of tough going. Thirteen golden perch to a very healthy 54cm were captured.

Sunday’s fishing was under the Da$h 4 Ca$h format and the cod had a change of heart and decided to play the game to some extent. Most teams reported some action although most were undersize.

There were eight teams who landed a ‘legal’ while Cod Hunter Fishing Tours guide Roger Miles and partner Derek Blow managed two to take the first-place cash. Joffa Stanton returned a super-fit 80cm model to finish second while Steven Munns’s 73cm was good enough to secure him third.

Over Easter there were plenty of anglers about with varied results. The best report from the lake came from Curtis Biggs, who landed a healthy 85cm cod.

Mulwala regulars Glen Bartels and Lundy had a great trip with numerous legal cod from 60cm-75cm.

Downstream, good cod were reported with several over the magical metre caught on bait and lures. Yellas also made plenty of welcome appearances with small yabbies and shrimp the preferred bait.

Make sure that if you are chasing Murray crays that you are well aware of all rules, regulations and bag limits. Ignorance is no excuse when Fisheries come calling.

If you need, call in and I’ll kit you out with a measuring device and all the info needed to make sure you are totally compliant.

Curtis Biggs with his 85cm Murray cod.