Rain and more rain was the order of business around the cod season opening. It poured from the heavens in a silver blanket and with grain too wet to strip, there was but one thing to do – hit the river and wet a line.

With all the runoff, most waters quickly turned to mud and those keen to wet a lure turned to bait in the hope of scoring a fish or two.

While the cod were about in good numbers, there were few that provided bragging rights for their captors, with far more undersize fish than those above.

The Wakool, Edward and Murrumbidgee all produced their share of action but again, most of the fish have been in the smaller size range.

A few better-sized cod have been caught around Stony Crossing and downstream to Kyalite on the Wakool, with the best around 12kg landed on lures.

Spinnerbaits and fluoro hard-bodies in pink, orange and green are proving best in the dirty water.

Along the Murray it has been a similar story with regular hot spots failing to deliver as anglers contend with good flows and dirty water.

Those drowning bait are questioning the continued closure on silver perch as every grub or these voracious fish devour soft bait that hits the water. In some areas they seem to be stacked a dozen deep.

Some ripper golden perch are turning up for anglers soaking cocktail baits of shrimps and worms around the edges of current and flow.

Above the weir at Robinvale and downstream to Wemen and beyond, anglers are revelling in the good numbers and size of perch on the chew.

Over coming weeks as water clarity begins to improve, a shift away from bait to lures will mean more cod of size are reported in most areas.

Don’t forget the surface option; those warm, balmy nights are just the ticket for some topwater action.

We had some great early season success last year working the surface in the hour around darkness.

It’s great fun and when a large cod implodes at your feet, it scares the pants off you.

All up, it’s been a slower than normal start to the season and much of this can be attributed to the high rainfall, resulting in poor water clarity.

I expect that as things return to normal and the water begins to clear, good numbers of cod will be landed on lures. And, as always, there will be some absolute lunkers.