As the smoke clears from the New Years Eve fireworks and the painful screech and squeal of the ‘doof-doof’ boats decreases to a minimal level, we charge into February and prime cod fishing time in and around Lake Mulwala.

Balmy calm summer evenings have presented the greatest opportunity for surface fishing, which has become the most popular form of fishing over the past couple of seasons. With that, those using wake baits (sub-surface lures) is also on the increase. The surface action gives you the chance to tangle with numerous average size cod but also some genuine brutes.

As per usual, those working both spinnerbaits and hardbody lures will encounter numerous cod on a regular basis. The hour or two before dusk is prime cod time, however, these fish will respond to a well-placed lure all day long. Between 9am-5pm water deeper than 3m will be more productive, while 5pm-9am will see the shallow water come alive. Look for areas that have some current flow to increase your averages.

Looking back, the week between Christmas and New Year saw a multitude of fishos descend on Lake Mulwala and the Murray River below the weir. Many fishers came into the store with reports of plenty of small cod caught below the weir. Those fishing the lake caught better quality cod, but in less quantity. Mixed in with the smaller models were some outstanding cod.

Zac Alexander and Matthew Sakic had great success, using cheese to land three cod that measured between 75-100cm. Cain Peatling was the first in store to report a great lure caught cod the he trolled up among the speed boats. Cain’s fish measured a healthy 102cm. Corowa boy Kyle Dalrymple was next to hook a good cod with his also measuring 102cm. This was taken on a cast Gangster Spinnerbait. Brendan Pejkovic was next to step up to the plate and create his own memorable moment. Not happy with landing his personal best of 70cm only an hour or so before, Brendan’s cast Koolabung surface lure was gobbled up by a superb 105cm cod. To top this off, Jamie Beer was one lucky fella when his Kuttafurra surface lure was smashed by a behemoth that measured 122cms, an absolute Mulwala monster. Cod of this size don’t come out of Mulwala regularly, especially caught off the surface, so this undoubtedly wins the unofficial ‘Cod Of The Year’ for 2015.

Mulwala lad Joel Thomas recently landed a great cod that measured 94cm. In the same evening, a beautiful 98cm cod was caught by Will Sharrock of Albury. Will’s lure of choice was a jointed Taylor Made surface lure.

It may interest some to know that I’m now doing a weekly ‘live’ Lake Mulwala fishing report that can be viewed via Youtube or the Lake Mulwala Fish Camp & Ski Facebook page. It will be posted each Thursday and let you know the latest local action.

• 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.