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Perfect conditions for cod and crays
  |  First Published: July 2008



With a consistently high barometer over the last few weeks, conditions for fishing have been ideal. Cool foggy mornings leading into sunny days with hardly a breath of wind are perfect!

Anglers heading out using the cover of fog to provide low light conditions have been having success casting spinnerbaits in the shallows. Cod to 76cm have taken spinnerbaits in purple/gold, purple/white and chartreuse/black.

As the day becomes brighter, accurate casts amongst the timber can draw out a cod. Work shaded parts of the snag, such as crossover limbs, rootballs or up against the bank. The bases of vertical standing timber also allow cod to park themselves in the shade. Jackalls and spinnerbaits are great for fishing this vertical structure as they can sink straight down into the strike zone.

Anglers walking the banks of the Wakool River have caught cod of 40-58cm, as well as the odd golden perch of 1kg. Oargee Plows in the green/black pattern have been good in the deeper pools.

Stevens Weir on the Edward River has turned it on, with a few lucky fishers taking cod over 1m on trolled deep diving lures. Local Carl Hipwell also trolled up a thumping 55cm golden perch on a purple/black Oargee.

Boat launching around Barmah on the Murray River has been difficult, but those getting out there have done well, with bardi grubs fished upstream of the snags taking their share of cod.

Bait fishing in the Murray near Echuca has been hit and miss lately but persistent anglers have done well using scrubworms and bardi grubs.

Anglers trolling the Murray downstream of Wills Bend have landed cod of 45-60cm. AC Invaders in the black/white and red/black colours have been popular in 6-7m of water.

Downstream at Torrumbarry, fishos have been rewarded for their efforts using Bassman Mumblers. Cod can’t resist the action of these lures, which throw out plenty of vibration. With the addition of a Bozo soft plastic, they look life-like in the water.

Anyone chasing a feed of redfin should head for Waranga Basin. With the water level a tad under 12%, boat launching has been tricky but well worth the effort. Drifting using small yabbies and Ice jigs has resulted in the capture of reddies to 1.6kg. At this time of year it is also worth casting Hogbacks and small hard-bodied lures into the irrigation channels.

The cray season is well underway. The water around the Five Mile Boat Ramp has been very productive, as has the area around the Echuca East Boat Ramp. Chunks of carp have been the best bait.

For the latest info on what’s biting in the Echuca/Moama area, drop in and see Justin at J.T’s Fishing & Camping, 16 Meninya St Moama, New South Wales (opposite the Border Inn Hotel), or call 03 5480 3868.

The crays are on the go in the Murray River. Garry Armstrong caught these ones near Five Mile Boat Ramp last year, and this has been a good spot again this season.

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