Peninsula Around Nagambie, from Northwood Road to the Wineries, there are some good numbers of Redfin and Yellowbelly, mainly on bait such as worms, yabbies and shrimp. Try tying off near some of the willow trees in the backwaters.
Getting some massive Carp in the shallower backwater areas such as Majors Creek, a nice bunch of worms on a size 6 wide mouth hook and a running sinker should do the trick.
The water is still a little cool and seems pretty dirty around Kirwans Bridge, however getting reports of some nice Redfin and Yellowbelly being caught. You’ll have to work pretty hard for them, sounding up schools before fishing or moving every 15 minutes is the way to go. Bobbing yabbies, shrimp or 3 to 4 inch soft plastics is working well in the area.
Below the weir from Murchison East, Toolamba, Arcadia, Shepparton to Undera are all fishing really well for Yellowbelly. Water is at a good height and is nice and clear, perfect for lure fishing. Small spinnerbaits are the standout.
With Cod Classic just two weekends away, we spoke with the man who has successfully steered the Cod Classic ship to its 20th event, a man who needs little introduction, Tony Bennett. Check out what we had to say.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN THE AUSSIE FISHING INDUSTRY TO DATE, HIGHLIGHTS ETC.
Never intended or tried getting into the fishing industry but that all changed the day late friend and Mulwala Football Club president Brian McKee suggested we run a fishing competition for the football club. From that day onwards mine & wife Vanessa’s life has been committed to making the Cod Classic work. From there it has snowballed into everything fishing related – fishing media, tackle shops, casting tuition and everything else fishing related. Have seen many come and go but you don’t last in this industry if you upset the wrong people, surprisingly it gets very political! The highlights aren’t the fish but more the many friends we have met though fishing.
MY DEFINING FISHING MOMENT WAS
Nothing “defining” because I don’t stress to much if I don’t catch a fish. Earliest memories were fishing on the banks of Lake Charm, Lake Merran and the Murray River as a kid back in the 70’s
I KNOW I’M ONTO A GOOD FISH WHEN
The bells go off! or apparently when I start swearing!
THREE BITS OF GEAR I COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT ARE
Wilson Mulwala Cod Rod & Daiwa Tatula Reel, Tonic Sunnies & Southern Comfort Cans! (most important)
MY COD CLASSIC HIGHLIGHT IS
Seeing the many competitors enjoying an event that you work so hard as a team to put on. The positive feedback is what keeps you going.
MY TIP FOR FISHING COD CLASSIC IS
Enjoy! Anything outside of that could end up leaving you disappointed. Stick at it, if you can’t catch a Cod on a lure try some bait. You only need a legal fish to get you in the prize draws.
MY LURE OF CHOICE FOR COD CLASSIC IS
Lake Mulwala Fish Camp Ski’s own Baby Cod pattern Gantarel. Only available in store at LMFCS!
I’M MOST EXCITED FOR 2019 COD CLASSIC BECAUSE
Seeing our regular competitors plus many new faces setting a potential crowd record in excess of 3100 competitors.
YOU SHOULD BE AT THE 2019 COD CLASSIC BECAUSE
It is an iconic event on the Australian Fishing Events calendar not to be missed.
IF I COULD GO FISHING WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD IT WOULD BE
It would be a pretty full boat with a fair bit of bullsh#t and banter going on! I would have to fit in my old man Gordon, second mate Darren Ryan, deck hand Hoges, esky monitor Dean Turner along with Mackenzie, Bassman & Hodge for the banter. Fishing alongside us would be Paul Hetherington, Col Hyland, Thommo, Cal & Merv Hughes for back up!
Only a few days until cod opening and the excitement is just too hard to contain! Many anglers like myself are getting ready and prepping for opening day. What I want to touch on in this edition is my tips for the day:
START EARLY
First, make sure you hit the water early! As a rule of thumb, the morning fish the best in summer as it is, but even more so on Murray Cod opening when there will be lots of people around. You want to beat the crowds and the sun and get on the water early!
Fishing during the night is another great option throughout December on the warmer nights, the cod will be active and even surface fishing is a great option.
TIPS FOR RIVERS AND CREEKS
Flowing water will be on the top of anglers lists for December 1st. The fish wouldn’t have seen a lure for over 3 months, they will be hungry and it’s the perfect time to fish these areas.
As the middle of summer hits these smaller waterways can become very slow so early December is the prime time before this heat hits.
The go to lure all depends on the type of water you are fishing but I love using surface lures in low light periods. I have a local creek not far from me which I fish during the night and then the next morning using surface lures and its great fun in December. If you’re fishing a small creek using 60-100mm paddlers, nothing too big is the best option. They are easy to cast, work well and the small fish love them.
In a lot of the local rivers casting spinnerbaits and hardbodies at the bank side structure is a proven method that you cannot go wrong with for cod opening, and if you’re fishing boulder water then soft plastic and swimbaits are a good option.
You may find the fish might slow down come the middle of the day but that’s normal for cod. Just try to focus on the darkest shadows you can find. Even pull up for a bait fish under a shady tree.
TIPS FOR LAKES AND DAMS
Our large bodies of water are another great option to look at for your cod opening trip. The middle of the day will be very tough in deep impoundments like Eildon, Blowering, Copeton etc so fishing the morning and afternoon are key in these places.
The you have the shallow lake systems like our one and only, Nagambie and Mulwala. These places will fish well all day with the bankside cover and standing timber and it’s a great time to fish both lake systems.
Fishing shallow edges in the morning with surface lures can bring some incredible fishing action and also during the night. Surface sessions at Mulwala in December during the night can be incredible, especially on a full moon, so definitely give that a crack. During the day casting spinnerbaits in against the willows along the edges works well and running diving hardbodies past the shaded side of the standing trees works well.
USE YOUR CONFIDENCE LURE
When you first hit the water, I recommend using your confidence lure and your go-to technique. Why? It’s always good to get off the mark early for the season ahead and its amazing what confidence can do to your session.
If you get your confidence up you’ll land your casts better, be in the zone and have a better opening day. My go-to is casting Mud Guts spinnerbaits to bank side structure if I’m fishing in a river or creek. If its nighttime, I’ll probably use an 80mm Gobsmacked paddler.
If I head to Blowering, I’d cast an IGNITE Cod Fury at the bank right on first light or during the night. Or if I visit Nagambie I’ll cast Mud Guts Spinnerbaits at the willows along the bank or use a Balista Dyno to cast at the standing stumps along the edge of the river.
Whatever you confidence lure is, use it on December 1st.
Good luck with your session this weekend and I hope you land that personal best cod!
