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Golden opportunities abound
  |  First Published: November 2007



With most rivers low and water temperatures on the rise, anglers are reporting excellent catches of golden perch in almost all areas.

The Murray River upstream of Swan Hill around Pental Island has seen perch to 2kg and more landed on baits of shrimp and worms. The Little Murray has also been another close hot spot with good redfin and goldens taking bladed lures and bait.

Both rivers should continue to fish well as the weather continues to warm.

Downstream, Boundary Bend has also begun to fire with plenty of goldens and a large number of small cod dropping in on the bait anglers.

Most fishos are doing the right thing by returning the cod to the river. Don’t forget that deeply hooked fish are better off with the hook left in them, it’s simply a matter of cutting the line as close to the mouth as possible.

Robinvale has been a little quiet. A reputed big cod haunt, many anglers overlook this destination as a producer of quality-sized goldens.

While you might not catch as many in the backed-up pool water, those you do land are of a better size. Fish of 3kg to 4kg are landed on bait during Spring by anglers fishing tight to the numerous snags and drop-offs – great fun on light tackle.

For the most these larger fish are females and are better returned to the river. There is always the odd smaller specimen better suited to the pan.

The Wemen area downstream of Euston continues to fish well. With water levels down, be careful boating on this section of river because there are numerous hazards that include rock bars and large submerged logs. These hazards are also home to plenty of fish and you will find that by poking around quietly, you are far more likely to meet them.

All the smaller rivers, including the Murrumbidgee, Wakool and Edward, are also producing plenty of golden perch. This is to be expected at this time of the year with rising water temperatures. The fishing all round will only improve over the coming month.

RULE-BENDERS

It’s great to see most anglers doing the right thing during the closed cod season. It’s also a shame to see a few prominent fishos that are bending the rules.

It’s hard to convince anyone you would travel long distances along the Murray River to catch golden perch when they are in better numbers a short distance away. Perhaps a one-off visit to investigate new water, but a string of repeat trips to the same destination smells a little fishy to me. Pardon the pun, but I just don’t believe it.

With a little over a month to go for the closure, it will be interesting to see how the coming cod season goes. With low waters expected in most rivers, restraint may be called on for possibly the best cod season any of us are ever likely to witness.

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