The planning is done, all the calls made.
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Now it is just the waiting game.
We are going on a fishing trip.
Look out, snapper, here we come.
It has been almost 12 months since we graced the waters off Queenscliff with our presence, but this weekend, look out. Here we come — the Fab Four.
No, not the Beatles, but some of the best fishing talent.
Me and three friends will be heading south to board Adamas, Rod Lawn’s trusty vessel.
And yo ho ho and shiver me timbers, we are going fishing.
Rod has assured us that the fish are there.
He said only two things would stop us from catching a bag of fish.
One is the weather — we don’t want it too rough — and the second thing is our talent as anglers.
Well, what can I say? Even a blind pig can find an acorn, so there is hope for us (even if it is just the law of averages).
So with a yo ho ho, shiver me timbers, all ahoy the poop deck.
And let’s man the crow’s nest, show them our Jolly Roger, and all aboard the good ship Adamas.
And look out, snapper, here we come! Oh, I think I said that.
Oh well.
The second event to occur on the fishing calendar is, of course, the cod season re-opening in both Victoria and NSW, when rivers, streams, and other waterways reopen for the taking of Murray cod.
Of course, Lake Eildon has always been open, subject to bag and size limits for anglers.
The weather has played a big part in the success or otherwise of the opening.
Most areas would have been affected by rainfall and the rise of river levels, and the accessibility of riverbanks, the water and even camping grounds.
Most reports I received were of general harsh odds, with bank fishing a no-no.
Better results went to boat anglers who had access to proper boat ramps.
Generally speaking, cod tend to be more active during thundery weather and rising water.
Anglers, however, like to stay dry, and so fishing is put on hold.
I heard of one group who spent just on $90 purchasing bardi grubs as well as yabbies, shrimp, worms, cheese and chicken.
I hope it was not spent in vain.
I stopped buying bardi grubs years ago when I promised that all I was doing was feeding them to carp.
In fact, the mouth of a cod is designed in such a way that it will take and eat anything that will fit inside.
So, a rule of thumb is use big bait to catch cod.
I am, at this time, still waiting to hear how most anglers went on cod opening.
There seemed to be a good number of boat trailers heading to the rivers, so I expect there would have been a decent number of fish taken.
But as to size and the locations, I am yet to hear.
In other freshwater news, it seems that trout fishing has slowed.
But yellowbelly and redfin have maintained good numbers.
Redfin remains on the bite in Waranga Basin and its outlets, and also in the Hume Weir.
Also, Lake Eppalock is worth fishing for redfin.
The best place to fish for redfin is, of course, Lake Eildon, where they are mainly biting around the tree lines.
As far as yellowbelly go, anywhere you fish for cod, you will also find yellowbelly.
They will also take the same baits, but if you use a lure with a rattle in it, you will find you get better results when hunting for yellowbelly.
They have a typically large perch mouth, but not as large as a cod mouth.
We have some excellent fishing spots in our region, with good quality fishing to be had.
Speaking of quality, I know I have already mentioned Queenscliff, and I will have a first-hand report for you next week.
North of the NSW border at Eden, John Liddell said the crew from Freedom Charters were bagging quality snapper on the reefs from Boyd’s Lookout to Green Cape.
Further north at Narooma, Graham Cowley said good-sized flathead were biting off Montague Island, and kingfish as well.
Down south at Flinders Island, James Luddington reported gummy sharks, flathead, whiting and snapper around the Lady Barron area.
Until next week, stay safe and good fishing.