What a start we’ve had to the cod season with reports of plenty of under sized fish to a handful of cod well over the metre mark taken in the first weeks of the season.

The water downstream from Stevens Weir has produced big numbers of small cod with all baits, particularly scrubworms, working the best. The bardi grub has also had a hammering on cod with the longest coming in at 96cm.

With plenty of water passing through the weir, the yellowbelly have been pretty active taking almost anything that is put past them. Wayne Williams and a few mates from Torrumbarry had a good couple of days fishing this water at the start of the season; catching and releasing around 50 fish; a mixture of cod and yellowbelly.

Back upstream towards Mathoura, the bardi grub was the bait of choice for two cod estimated at close to 20kg each. The oily scent from the grubs seems to be working well in the dirty water.

With increased water flow the area around the Narrows has been a bit tricky to fish for some. Extra weight is needed to keep the baits in the one spot in the fast flowing current. Trolling with the electric motor isn’t an option but can be handy when retrieving a snagged lure as you can hold the boat in position as you get the lure back.

Scrubworms and shrimp have accounted for plenty of cod up to 50cm and the silver perch have been out in a feeding frenzy picking at worms and grubs, which can become an expensive exercise after a while. There is a product on the market called a Grub Sock and as the name suggests you place your grub into a fine elastic stocking. The fish can still smell and taste your bait but are unable to suck out the guts of the grub as the ‘sock’ holds it all together. I’ve heard of anglers catching several fish using the same grub.

The best report to come from Broken Creek was a cod estimated at 25kg taken by an angler fishing with two yabbies facing each other on the same hook. The noise from their nippers as they fight each other is a good way to get the attention of a nearby cod.

One lucky lady angler had a great start to the season catching a cod that measured 110cm on a purple Stumpjumper while on a day out with Murray River Fishing Tours. What first felt like a snag that wouldn’t move turned into fish of a lifetime. A few quick photos and cod was released back to his snag riddled home.

Another report well worth a mention was a 116cm cod caught on a dark blue Big Mong being trolled in the deeper water around Torrumbarry.

Below the weir yellowbelly to 54cm are still being caught on the crankbaits and shrimp despite the fluctuating water levels. Matty Lake from Moama and his fishing partner both picked up five cod each while using scrubworms while out for a few hours.

Downstream of the Gunbower boat ramp the cod have been hitting lures with plenty of force but not staying connected. Jackall Doozers in the darker colours have worked well in the deeper water.

The resident redfin have fired up again with large numbers of table sized fish caught. The best report was of around 60 fish ranging 500g-1.6kg. The most productive baits were small yabbies and worms while soft plastic lures and size three Stumpjumper’s in the green/black colour also took their share. Locating the school of redfin and then being able to stay with them seems to be the key to get the good numbers.

For more information on what’s biting around Echuca and Moama, drop into J.T’s Fishing & Camping Moama, opposite the Border Inn Hotel, or phone Justin on 03 54 803 868.