The final siren is about to sound on the 2013-14 cod fishing season from September through to November inclusive. For those that are keen, you have a week or so to track down that elusive green beast you may have been chasing season long!

Don't despair, you may be only one cast or a short troll away from what you are dreaming of. Wind the clock back 12 months and Mulwala local Brad ‘Sultan’ Pepper landed a hat-trick of metre-plus Murray cod below the weir in the dying moments of the season, so there is still hope! Best bet fishing anywhere within Lake Mulwala or the Murray River is to troll big lures, 120mm+ in search of the bigguns.

AC, Koolabung, StumpJumper, Custom Craft, Kuttafurra, Gidgee, Mud Eye and Paul Nicel's are all lures that won't let you down if you put them in the right place!

Once the frosts hit, July's fishing slowed dramatically with only sparse reports of cod and golden perch being caught within the region. The most exciting period was when the gates were opened below the weir and the yellas fired up for a few days, as they traditional do when there is an increase in water flows and a steady rise.

Riley Norrish and Ian Ratcliffe were a couple of young fellas who ‘met in the middle’ when they came together from Adelaide and Orange respectively. Six days fishing saw the boys have a lot of fun in between little action. After casting and trolling all points of the lake the boys changed tact and headed down the river with a bucketful of bait. Persistence paid off as on their final day Riley landed a healthy 42cm trout cod along with half a dozen crays (released) that took a liking to their scrub worms.

Cray season continued and with it reports suggested most crews were getting their daily bag limits with a bit of work. Majors Creek and above up to Bundalong returned more consistent results than below the weir.

Don't forget come 1 September the targeting of Murray cod is illegal and Murray cray season closes. If you are in search of a yella or two remember that the Murray River between the Yarrawonga Weir and main bridge at Tocumwal is totally closed to all forms of fishing.

• Competition season is drawing closer by the day. If you are keen to get your name added to the Cod Classic, Golden Dollars, Dash 4 Cash, His and Hers Partners Classic or Cod Nationals mailing lists shoot me an e-mail at --e-mail address hidden-- If visiting Yarrawonga/Mulwala I urge you to call into Lake Mulwala Fish Camp & Ski, the shop with the big green cod out the front (Opposite the Post Office) in Mulwala and say G’day. We are your largest Murray cod specific shop in the region and specialize in all things “Green”! For any info on upcoming events or fishing reports give us a call on 03 5744 3133.