"

Spring into goldens
  |  First Published: November 2004



With Murray cod under a closed season, many anglers pack their gear away until the season reopens in December. While you may not be able to catch cod, this is one of the best times of the year to target other species, such as golden perch.

Warm Spring days turn the underwater world into a hive of activity as shrimp and all manner of invertebrate creatures begin the build-up to the Summer explosion. It’s at this time of year river levels rise and new ground is claimed as prime feeding areas for goldens. While there is plenty of water to be found, the clarity is generally poor so pack the lures away as bait is the most consistent producer of fish at this time.

Reports have already started to filter in with good catches taken in the Murray River around Wemen and the Murrumbidgee near Balranald. With the rivers up and temperatures climbing, most areas will fish well over the coming months.

POISED PARAsITES

Unfortunately, the rising waters also stimulate the activities of a solemn creature more commonly referred to in my part of the world as the ‘river redneck’. Its fishing practices are diverse, with any method apart from rod and reel being deemed acceptable – drum nets are the preferred weapons.

Rarely seen during daylight hours, the river redneck prefers to hide its activities under the cover of darkness. It is commonly touted that its nocturnal habits imply that it fully understands its actions fall well outside the realms of acceptable fishing behaviour.

Unfortunately, seemingly possessing an exceptionally low IQ and over-inflated ego render it incapable of comprehending its self-destructive nature.

Fortunately, for the rest of the fishing fraternity, the river redneck is on the decline with fewer sightings reported each season. If you find yourself in a position to observe the activities of this creature, do so from a distance as their seemingly diminished brain capacity makes them highly unpredictable. Do not approach them yourself. Instead, contact your local Fisheries officers – they are geared up and adept in dealing with the greedy nature of this parasite.

CAPS

1.Young Jock MacKenzie loves spring golden perch.

2.The worm-yabby cocktail – a deadly bait for shallow water golden perch.

Reads: 951

Matched Content ... powered by Google




Latest Articles




Fishing Monthly Magazines On Instagram

Digital Editions

Read Digital Editions

Current Magazine - Editorial Content

Western Australia Fishing Monthly
Victoria Fishing Monthly
Queensland Fishing Monthly