The cod are still on the bite but so are lots of other species.

Although the weather has been a very mixed bag over the past month, you cannot say the same for the fishing.

With the water temperature still quite warm, the Yarra River around Templestowe and Eltham has continued to produce Murray cod. Most success is with surface and sub-surface lures, especially late in the evening.

Persistent casting along rock bars and bank side structure with flowing water nearby should result in territorial strikes from the resident cod.

Cod, being a lazy predator, lures should be cast as tight to timber and rock as possible to anger the fish into striking. Single and tandem blade ½ oz Bassman Spinnerbaits are perfect for doing this.

Reports of Macquarie perch have also increased over the past month with good Ringwood customers Larry and Martin being successful near Pound Road landing a good-sized one around the 2lb mark last week on scrubworms. They caught and released three for the morning.

Best baits for the Macquarie perch are medium sized scrubworms tossed out in the slow moving current near some structural trees or rocks. Maccas will spit the bait, so remember not to strike on the first nibble.

Sugarloaf Reservoir has been hit and miss over the past few weeks. Golden perch to over a kilo have been caught during the warm spells, with most anglers lure fishing for them. Best lures have been Squidgy Lobbies in dusk and lava, bounced along the bottom on 1/12-1/8th jig heads, as well as Stiffy Fat Ones in the shallow runner, and Devil Vibes worked along the drop offs.

When fishing Sugar Loaf for perch, try to time your efforts around a rising barometer, or during a spell of warmer weather when the fish are actively hunting shrimp and baitfish along the ledges and weed beds.

Rowville Lakes has been fishing well for trout, redfin and roach. Most are caught fishing maggots used in conjunction with Stimulate premix berley. Customer Colin has had some good trout around 400g and large carp taking his baits fishing along side the reed edges.

Lilydale Lake has been sporadic, with Customer Frank catching trout around 1lb along the pump house wall, on cut scrub worms and occasionally on 7g Tassie Devils, with pink and yellows working well.

Many other anglers have had varying success in the lake, which has been fishing best after rainfall or early in the morning. Try to include berley cages and mixes in your setup, and fish your rod low and flat to the water with an open bail arm, as the fish have been quite finicky of late.

Aura Vale Lake has been busy lately, with lots of anglers targeting the small redfin perch, which are abundant in the lake. Most angers prefer small hardbodies such as SX40s and Smelters fished along the lily pad edges.

The larger fish are commonly caught on bigger vibe-style lures slow rolled or hopped along the deep lake floor; some of these fish can be up to 40cm.

Brighter patterns and colours schemes in lures such as Jackal TN60s and Ecogear VX40s are invoking more reaction bites from these fish.

Wonga Park through to Templestowe has also started to fire for those targeting redfin. Redfin will be found in backwaters with reeds and small stick structures. Small scrubworms or Redfin Attractors in gold or copper colours, used with a slow pulsating action will get their attention.

Had some success? Send me the details via email at --e-mail address hidden-- . And include the angler, species, where caught (you don’t need to give me all your secrets) and what bait, lure or flies you used.