The hotter summer temperatures have definitely excited the big cod around Echuca. We are getting consistent reports of large cod being caught all around our region, with the best water being the Murray River both up and down stream from town.

The past couple of weeks have seen the action really on around town with plenty of trophy-sized cod being landed. I had reports of five 1m+ fish in the days between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

The Five Mile Reserve and boat ramp was the site of two of these captures, with both fish caught on dark coloured lures. One was 1.18m and the other was 1.12m. Another fish of 1.22 m was caught trolling at Dead Mans Bend near Merool Caravan Park. Bryan Watson caught this fish on Boxing Day, early in the morning on a colour 3, size 1 Stumpjumper.

Fish number four was caught by local angler Bluey Chapman. This fish was 1.1m and took a fresh bardi grub just one bend down stream from Goulburn Murray junction. Fish five was caught on a crushed yabby upstream of the Headworks boat ramp.

Plenty of other good-sized cod have been caught around town and while the river stays clear and at a good level the chances of a few more are high.

One cod that was caught early in January is noteworthy. This fish was caught by Bendigo angler Clint Ogston at Cristies Beach, which is just upstream of Echuca. The fish was caught around 11pm on a yabby and weighed a touch over 11kg (it was 950mm long). Upon cleaning this fish, Clint had a look at the stomach contents and to his amazement found the rather fresh remains of a red-bellied black snake! The snake was about 1.2m long.

The inlet channel that feeds Kow Swamp has been fishing well lately. Anglers have been catching good-sized redfin and yellowbelly on shrimp and worms. The occasional cod has also been caught here, with the best baits being yabby and bardi grubs. The small silver perch do seem to love eating the grubs, which is very annoying.

The Waranga Basin is at 25% capacity and is still worth a try for a bag of good-sized red fin. The way to go is to drift and fish with small yabbies and fresh shrimp until you find a school of fish then bob and jig with bait and soft plastics. Some excellent bags of 1-1.5kg fish have been caught of late.

The Wakool River is still producing good-sized yellowbelly and smaller cod. Lures have been the best tactic, with casting back to the banks and the snags the way to go. Shrimps bobbed around the snags are also providing some good yellowbelly.

The Goulburn River is very low and the fishing is quite hard work. Small yellowbelly are being caught on bait by those who persist. Worms are the best bait, but the fish are hard to find.

Not long now until the Echuca-Moama RSL & Citizens Club 2007 Fishing Classic. There is $40,000 in prizes to be won. Don't forget the $5000 cash WILL be won, so mark the dates down in your fishing diary the dates It is on March 23rd, 24th and 25th.

Until next month good fishin' to all.