As the days become shorter and a little cooler, the fishing action is starting to heat up around Echuca. Reports that I have received show that the bigger fish are starting to become a lot more active.

The Murray River around Echuca is still a great place to catch yourself a big Murray cod. Local anglers working the heavily timbered areas above the Torrumbarry Weir with Quad Spin spinner baits in purple, red and black are doing very well. One local landed four excellent fish in a single morning’s fishing recently, the best of which was just over 90cm.

Baits of bardi grubs and yabbies are also productive for good-sized Murray cod. Fishing baits in tight next to the timber produces the best results. Baitfishing is a better bet a little closer to Echuca, with the Five Mile boat ramp the best place to start.

The Goulburn River is a little quiet at the moment with some small cod and golden perch being caught on baits of shrimps and worms. The best place to start is the Simpsons Bend area.

The Edward River at Mathoura is another place where baitfishing is producing the better results. Bardi grubs, shrimp and yabbies are the best baits to use. Golden perch and small to medium-sized cod are plentiful in this area.

This area is my hot spot at the moment with some great reports of excellent golden perch being caught. Bait is by far the best way to go here, with shrimp and worm cocktail the best. Yabbies are worth the effort as well. The snags are the places to work, with the baits being ‘bobbed’. At the moment the golden perch are very interested in these moving baits. Fish around 2-4kg have been caught in this manner.

The ‘Basin’ is still worth a go for a good bag of redfin. The water level is very low and caution when navigating is essential. The fish are best caught on shrimp and small yabbies. The trick to the Basin is to find a school of fish, anchor up and away you go.

The water level in the river at Echuca is starting to fall slowly but there is still plenty of water for fishing. For more information on the Echuca area call in and see Garry at Gone Fishin in Echuca.