Now that cod season has opened I know that many of you will satisfy your desires to get some green fish in amongst the golden perch and redfin.

Reports from around Echuca are that the yellas are still plentiful. Local angler Alan Henson and brother Gary spent a few days fishing the Campaspe River, just above Rochester, for some good ones to 45cm. The best tactic was to cast spinnerbaits into structure and work them slowly back to the boat. The most productive colours were combinations of green and white.

Some local anglers baitfishing around the east boat ramp have had some excellent results on the goldens. Fishing from the bank with small yabbies or scrubworms is the way to go.

Another hot spot is the area below the Campaspe junction. These yellas have also fallen to yabbies and scrubbies fished from the bank.

Keep an eye on the redfin in Waranga Basin. This place can really fish well for these great little table fish. Redfin can be caught in a variety of ways. Live or dead bait and trolling small hard-bodied lures works well, particularly those in redfin colours. Jigging is also productive while you drift. Last season many good redfin were caught on single and double tail soft plastics that were bumped along the bottom. The other thing that seems to bring them on is a couple of good hot days.

Back in late October, a group of mates fished the mighty Darling River for some goldens, as we’ve done for about ten years. The fishing was very tough and the river was in a very poor condition. We fished below the Menindee Lakes and there was little flow. It looks to be becoming increasingly shallow and choked with weed and slime. I don’t think we’ll be going back, which is a real shame!

All the best on the green fish this season.