With the onset of spring and some warmer days November is normally prime yellowbelly time, but so far this spring the yellas have been hard to find.

The Goulburn River above Echuca is producing the occasional yellowbelly; the best tactic is to fish the deeper sections with bait, worms or shrimp. The area around Stewarts Bridge has been the most productive with a couple of 3kg fish taken – but most other catches are smaller. The river around Kotupna is also worth trying as some nice sized golden perchs have also been caught on bait in that area.

The Murray River downstream of Echuca has seen the best of the golden perch action with the area near Wills Bend and Youngs Road the places to be. Again, fishing with bait from the bank is the most productive way of producing a yellowbelly or two. A quick mention also must go to The Narrows around Barmah as some reports of yellowbelly on bait have come from there as well.

I have heard several reports of good-sized redfin near the old Elmore Field Days Site of the Campaspe River. This section of the river is quite deep and is best trolled from a boat. Redfin caught in this area have been taken on small hard-bodied lures, with anything in a redfin pattern well worth a try. This part of the Campaspe River is also the home of some excellent yellas and casting spinnerbaits is also well worth trying.

Lake Mokoan is probably the best place to go for a good feed of yellowbelly, with lots of positive reports from the soon to be closed lake. The most productive baits are live shrimp and worms, which are best fished in the timbered areas. It’s important to consider the weather and light winds will make for a good fishing day at the lake.

For more information call in and see Garry at Gone Fishin, Annesley Street, Echuca.