I know I have said it before, but it doesn’t hurt to say it again.
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Autumn, in my opinion, is the best time of the year.
Mild sunny days, light winds — and the fishing is at its best.
Native fish such as cod and yellowbelly are feeding up for the breeding season.
Trout are becoming more active as they prepare to spawn.
Even redfin are getting their fill to prepare for the winter months.
On the downside, two of the best natural baits, yabbies and shrimp, are burrowing into the mud to hibernate for winter.
All other baits remain in plentiful supply.
We have come up with some alternative food supply for fish. For example, cheese and raw chicken — not ideal, but they do fill the gap.
There are also lures that work well at attracting fish to your hook.
And don’t forget worms — both garden and scrub worms.
They never fail at bringing on a bite.
Most of the fishing in our region at this time of year is done in the Goulburn River, from around Seymour to the Murray.
Anglers fish mostly for cod and yellowbelly.
Upstream of Seymour, trout are the targeted species from below Eildon to where the river flows into the dam.
Fishing the snags and the slow backwater with either bait or lures is where to find cod during the day, then near the surface in the dark with surface lures.
You will, of course, pick up the occasional silver perch, redfin or carp.
At this time of year, it might be any of the above.
The pondage at Eildon is where the unwanted breeding trout from Snobs Creek Hatchery are released.
This leads to trophy-size fish being caught on the odd occasion.
Above the wall and into the dam, and then into its headwaters, wild trout abound.
This makes the Goulburn one of the most productive fishing rivers in the state.
Other waterways are the Dartmouth Dam and its tributaries, the Kiewa River and the Mitta Mitta River from the headwaters to the Murray.
Another benefit of fishing during autumn is the lack of flies to annoy and pester.
Add to that the reduction of mozzies, and it all makes fishing more enjoyable.
One more thing in favour of fishing is that the banks of the rivers are dry and less slippery.
Speaking of which, fishing the lake in Shepparton is a bonus — there is no bank at all, making it safe for the elderly and the young.
All you have to worry about is landing your bait in a weed-free zone.
Down south at Queenscliff, Rod Lawn from Adamas Fishing Charters said he had been having a great time fishing in both Port Phillip Bay and also outside the heads off Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads.
Rod mentioned that he had been bagging kingfish and snapper, as well as flathead and large salmon.
When fishing offshore, Rod will sometimes use a method of deep-water berleying.
In other words, he will fill a large container with fish scraps.
There are slots cut in the side and bottom.
He then attaches it to a rope hooked to a float and sinks it over a desired location.
He then moves to another location to continue fishing.
After a while, he will return to the float and fish around it.
The scraps will have done their job and will have attracted fish to it.
Rod said that some of the better fishing around the heads had been off Point Lonsdale to Ocean Grove with the kingfish on the bite.
Live bait and knife jigs have been the best method.
Down along the coast, Rod said tuna were being caught around Portland and as far as the South Australian border.
Heading north to Eden, John Liddell said snapper, morwong and other table fish, including flathead and kingfish, were biting from Boyd’s Lookout to Green Cape.
The action was going gangbusters.
Further north at Narooma, Graham Cowley reported that it was the same around Montague Island.
Down south at Flinders Island, James Luddington said he had tied up his boat for the season.
But for those that want to, there are still gummy sharks and flathead to be caught.
So once again, let me wish you good fishing — and stay safe.