Don’t pack that cod gear away just yet; it’s taken a while but the monster has finally begun to stir.

As our farming sector revels in the recent rains, those chasing the local green fish have also had something to smile about.

At this time of the year the weather may be cold but the fishing is nothing short of hot.

Most anglers will tell you the best cod fishing takes place in the warmer months but I’m not most anglers and that theory has more holes in it than a suicide bomber.

A recent day on the water at Robinvale is testament in itself to how productive cold-water cod fishing can be.

Barely on the water five minutes and the first strike changed the posture from seat to feet in an instant.

Nothing frightens the bajebas out of you like the strike from a big cod, in this case just over 24kg (50lb).

An hour later, a pigeon pair. Top that off with another pushing 18kg and a little fella at 11kg and you have to ask yourself why more anglers don’t chase Murray cod once the weather cools down.

This is our third such trip in as many weeks, with each producing at least one 24kg-plus cod. This sort of action should continue until the close of the season.

If you don’t pursue cod in your local waters because you have been coerced into thinking they are a warm-weather species, think again. The biggest and the best come during the Winter months.

Murray crays are still running in most areas between Swan Hill and Robinvale.

Gone are the days of an easy feed; you have to work your butt off just to get a taste. Best catches have been taken during the dark hours, with some anglers working their nets all night.

Carp is still the No 1 bait but they are very hard to get at this time of the year. A ready supply hidden in the back of the freezer when they are plentiful is a wise move – just don’t tell the cook.

Unfortunately, the grapevine of information dries up at this time of year so it’s hard to say what’s happening in other sections of the Murray.

So we will wrap this up by saying that over the next few months you can don the hat and scarf and head for the footy or take advantage of the most productive time of year to target giant Murray cod.

Why head to the footy or linger by the fire when there are big Winter bruisers like this on the bite?