With conditions nearing perfect as the Summer winds taper off and the bite in the sun diminishes, this is the time to be planning your assault on Lake Mulwala and the Murray River below the Yarrawonga Weir.

The next few months are prime time to target the mighty green fish and all styles of lure fishing should yield pleasing results. Best bet is keep your ear to the ground to find out exactly what colours, depths and general locations in the lake or river where the cod are biting.

Recent weather was challenging but it didn’t put a halt to the many great reports. The most impressive catch, one of the biggest cod I have ever seen, came from Jimmy Solomonides, of Oakleigh. Jimmy was fishing below the weir when his large bardi grub was gobbled up by an enormous monster over 1.3m long. An exact measurement and weight were not gained because this fish was released ASAP but you will not see many bigger in this area.

Billy Wilson, of Preston, was another to land some quality ‘green’ downstream, with 76cm and 70cm fish reward for his effort.

Locals Tim and James Loomes had a day out, landing 15 cod to 48cm casting smaller hardbodies to the snags. The boys were always within sight of the weir.

A plethora of smaller river fish, mainly trout cod, silver perch and carp, has been caught. Anglers are saying these smaller fish are becoming pests, stealing bait at will. Best bet is to use a bait protection sock to help preserve valuable baits like bardi grubs.

Fishing has been tougher in Lake Mulwala but switched-on anglers have been reaping the rewards. Early morning and late afternoon have produced best returns, with the majority of fish caught on the troll.

James Marth came up trumps after a battle with a mighty beast that measured 112cm, A great effort for a 15-year-old who loves his fishing.

Adam Thomson cast a spinnerbait to tangle with a beauty a tad under the magical metre. By all reports it was a bit of a circus in the boat but after a couple of happy snaps, this healthy fish was released to fight another day. The same outing also produced a 68cm cod for Glen Becker to top off their evening.

Brad Pepper and ‘Wheels’ trolled up some nice cod well into the 70s while Neil McKay and Chris Fittkav spent a couple of days out in the boat returning similar results. Lures of choice have been the Paul Nicell Humptys and the most popular cod lure at present bar none, the Koolabung.

Grant Jones used a bardi grub to tempt a very healthy 105cm beast and, credit to him, this cod was released.

One of the most popular options at this time of year is surface fishing, unmatched by any other style of fishing for sheer anticipation, excitement and exhilaration.

Casting poppers, paddlers or buzzbaits around the heavily timbered shallower parts of the lake will put you in with a great chance of getting a hit.

Adam Thomson with a 97cm Murray cod that took a spinnerbait and caused a few moments with the boat crew.