May 2008 saw the end of an era with Gary Armstrong from Gone Fishin’ in Echuca deciding on a career change. Ten years is a fair stint looking after the needs of the fisherfolk in the Echuca district. We wish Gary all the best with his new venture. I’ll do my best to continue to submit informative fishing reports for the very productive Echuca/Moama area.

What a month it’s been, with the fishing around Echuca really taking off. All forms of angling have been taking quality fish. Cod to 7kg have been taken in the Broken Creek above Barmah by dedicated anglers fishing through the night. Oversize yabbies and bardi grubs have been the preferred baits.

The Campaspe has been the place to be for a mixed bag. A local fisho has caught cod up to 5.5kg around Rochester. The water in this area has cleared up in the last few weeks, enabling anglers to cast dark coloured spinnerbaits tight in amongst the structure while walking the banks. Redfin to 35cm have been caught closer to Echuca, with soft plastics and the ever-reliable Hogbacks being the lures of choice.

In the Murray River, weekend anglers have been rewarded for their efforts with golden perch up to 56cm taken on scrubworms and small yabbies. Fishing the shaded areas of the snags through the brighter part of the day seems to be the trick. Keen local angler John Hannon picked up six goldens in an afternoon session downstream from Caseys Road, which is around half way between Echuca and Torrumbarry. Casting Jackall TN70’s parallel to the cumbungi has been the way to go.

The big fish of Torrumbarry haven’t let anglers down, with five cod over 1m caught and released in as many weeks. Trolling hard-bodied lures in the deeper holes has resulted in these quality fish. In terms of colours, red/blacks and purples have been good, and lures that will reach the depths of 25 to 35ft are the way to go. I was lucky enough to tangle with a cod measuring 105cm. This fish took a liking to a J.D Python lure in the carp pattern. After a brief battle he was released back to his watery home.

In April, the Torrumbarry Community Club held its annual family fishing competition. With a total of 230 entrants, plenty of fish were caught with the biggest being a cod of 102cm. We hear the boat wasn’t much bigger than this thumper of a fish! It was a job well done by the young fella who successfully caught and then releases his cod. The longest golden perch measured in at 59cm, while a cod of 58cm won it for the ladies. All fish were released.

With the water temperature a tad under 17oC and dropping, it shouldn’t be too long before only the bravest water skiers decide it’s time to leave the anglers alone to fish the calm waters they missed so much over summer.

The first frosts have appeared, which means the Murray crays should start moving soon. Upstream of the Echuca east boat ramp has been a productive stretch over the last few seasons. Dropping the nets in 3-5m off the clay banks has usually brought home the goods. Cray bait consisting of ox liver, split sheep heads and carp chunks do pretty well. Before heading out, please check your Fishing Guide for size and bag limits, and remember to put back all females in berry, they are the breeders.

For the latest info on what’s biting in the Echuca/Moama area, drop in and see Justin at J.T’s Fishing & Camping, 16 Meninya St, Moama NSW (opposite the Border Inn Hotel), or call on 03 5480 3868.

The author caught this 105cm Murray cod on a J.D Python lure in the carp pattern. It was released unharmed after a quick photo.