As autumn really starts to set in, local freshwater anglers will start to notice a bit of a change in fish behaviour.

Cooler air temperatures influence the water temperature and the fish act accordingly. Fish like Murray cod and yellowbelly are still readily available for anglers who specifically target them, but from around Easter on the cooler weather generally slows them down a little.

Locally stocked urban lakes however have been producing a few rainbows for keen young anglers using suspended powerbait rigs, with Casey Fields and Karkarook being the pick. Remember to use berley when targeting these trout also as it will help to keep the fish around for longer, and could turn a zero fish day into a really good one!

The odd redfin and trout has also been caught by lure fishers walking around the edges of the lake casting small soft plastics like ZMan Grubz and hardbodies such as the Strike Pro Pygmy, especially in any colour pattern with a touch of gold to it.

Devilsbend Reservoir down on the Peninsula has been producing the odd trout amongst schools of smaller redfin for anglers recently. Local angler Adrian has been persisting with the reservoir and has been landing plenty of medium sized redfin on a variety of lures, including small soft plastics and shallow running hardbodies.

Adrian has met other anglers fishing here who are not having the same luck, as they have been casting their offerings straight into the thick weed that follows the shoreline. Most of the fish that Adrian has been catching have been caught in small ‘pockets’ of clearer water amongst the weed, and having the correct outfit to pinpoint your casts to this area will make the difference between a bite and none.

The trout and redfin have been using these pockets as a good ambush point, ready to dart out and snap up a small galaxia or aquatic insect, or hopefully your lure. The reservoir has a very large amount of food for the trout and redfin, and lots of lure choices will imitate the various food items present. One of the tips for spending your time unhooking fish and not so much weed – try not to use a fast sinking lure. Your lure is more likely to foul up on weed if it plummets straight down into it, rather than slowly fluttering down around it. Just keep a keen eye on your line at all times, as some of the time the fish will hit your lure as it sinks haplessly down around the weedbeds.

• If you have had some success in these areas lately send me a photo and go into the draw for your chance to win a HD Sports Camera valued at $129.99

Email it to: --e-mail address hidden-- and include, angler’s name, species, and the area you were fishing.

For up to date fishing information, contact the guys at Compleat Angler in Dandenong on 9794 9397 or drop in and see us at 241 – 243 Princes Hwy, Dandenong, we are open 7 days a week.

For our other latest fishing reports and to download information sheets, go to www fishingcamping.com.au

Photo courtesy of Adrian Jurcut .