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Time to Target a Big One
  |  First Published: April 2009



This is my favourite time of the year to go fishing. The weather patterns usually settle down with large high pressure systems making their way over the state. The reduced wind, combined with ideal temperatures, make for perfect conditions to go fishing.

Over the next couple of months we will see an increase in the numbers of large Murray cod and golden perch being caught from all over Victoria.

LAKE EPPALOCK

There continues to be good news from Lake Eppalock. Water levels remain stable and the fishing has been good. There was a report of an angler who managed to land a Murray cod weighing over 30kg. This is an exceptional fish for Lake Eppalock.

The Murray cod numbers being caught have been low, however if you put the time in you could land a quality Murray cod also.

The majority of captures continue to be golden perch and redfin. Most golden perch being caught have been between 1kg and 2kg. There is often increased activity and an improvement in the quality of golden perch being caught in the next two months so now might be the best time to give Eppalock another go.

The most productive methods for the golden perch continue to be casting and trolling lures. The most productive casting lures have been spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits. For those anglers trolling, small to medium sized hardbodies have been producing golden perch and redfin.

The redfin fishing continues to be good. The majority of fish are small with the occasional quality size. Bait fishing with worms and small yabbies has been productive and anglers have been taking some quality bags of these tasty imports.

Anglers should make the most of the good conditions in the lake while they last because it won’t be long and winter will be here and the fishing will slow dramatically.

CAMPASPE RIVER

The fishing in the Campaspe River continues to disappoint for the majority of anglers.

Unfortunately this season so far the fishing in the river has not lived up to expectations. Water clarity remains good however water flows and water levels remain low. Those anglers fishing the shallower sections of the river that receive a reduced amount of fishing pressure have the best results. However even those anglers who regularly fish these areas are experiencing mixed results.

On the good days anglers are managing to land several natives for the day with the occasional redfin. The good days have been few and far between for the majority of anglers though. For most anglers the catch rates continue to be low. Even though the fishing has been disappointing the Campaspe is a worthwhile destination and hopefully we might see an improvement in catch rates in the next two months.

CAIRN CURRAN

Water levels continue to drop in the lake. Water clarity is poor and the fishing is slow. With the receding water it will become more difficult for anglers to launch a boat. Anglers should be careful when launching a boat and a 4WD is recommended.

At this stage small redfin are the main species being caught. The most productive method has been bait fishing.

LODDON RIVER

The fishing in the Loddon River has been good with pleasing numbers of golden perch being caught. Both bait fishing and lure fishing has been productive for redfin.

Anglers targeting golden perch with lures have found casting spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits to be good options. Those fishers who have been trolling the edges of the weed beds have also produced reasonable results.

The fishing in the shallower sections of the Loddon River continues to be good, but this wont last as water temperatures start to drop. As water temperatures cool the deeper section of the Loddon at Bridgewater and Serpentine become the most productive areas.

The next two months are usually when the largest Murray cod are landed in this area. Cast and trolled lures produce bigger specimens here each season. Anglers should make the most of the favourable conditions and they might be surprised with the results.

Good luck in your efforts to land that big one.

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