I hope everyone was able to get out and enjoy the opening of cod season, it’s shaping up to be a cracker! All fishing methods this time of year should see you in with a great chance of action.

Traditionally lure fishing tends to turn up bigger cod while the bait fishers will be rewarded with numbers. For the trollers, 70-120mm lures are always a great choice while spinnerbaits should not be discounted, as they have produced many fish on the troll in the past couple of years. Those who prefer to cast tend to use spinnerbaits and crankbaits, but a look at casting some timber hardbodies should not be discounted. Cod have seen many spinnerbaits over the past 15 years and it might be a case of ‘what’s old is new again’ with a return to the old style timber lures. The bait crew should be looking towards bardi grubs, yabbies and the ever-popular scrub worm.

Fishing below the weir early in the season generally produces plenty of undersize Murray cod, the protected trout cod, the fun to catch silver perch, numerous carp and good numbers of yellas. The Murray is more often than not a better option for the family if they are looking to put the kids onto a fish for a bit of fun.

A special mention goes out to Sally Finch. Under expert guidance of her new partner, Sally managed to catch four nice yellas casting Bassman Spinnerbaits. Not a bad effort for somebody that hasn’t done much fishing before!

The feel good story for the month came from an excited conversation and photos from a proud father and grandfather. It related to the exploits of young 3-year-old Derik Cjepa. Derik is a passionate, young kid who is very handy when it comes to casting a line. Unbelievably, Derik was casting and retrieving a hook and sinker with no bait. In the process a small cod grabbed hold and became hooked! To top that off, the following day, Derik was casting a spinnerbait from the bank and hooked up and landed a nice cod of around 45cm, again, all on his own. Great work young fella!

I welcome all anglers visiting Yarrawonga over the Christmas period to pop in and say hello at Lake Mulwala Fish Camp & Ski (opposite Mulwala Post Office) and out our new store located between Rivers and One Zac in the main street of Yarrawonga. We are your local tackle specialists and specialise in all things ‘green’. I’m sure we can put you onto a fish or two and make your visit to the region a rewarding and memorable one.

• If you are visiting town, I urge you to call into Lake Mulwala Fish, Camp & Ski (opposite the post office) in Mulwala and say G’day. We are your largest Murray cod-specific shop in Yarrawonga/Mulwala and specialise in all things ‘green’! For any information on the upcoming events or fishing reports, give us a hoy on (03) 5744 3133.