From being on the brink, cod have made a comeback in numbers, although they still have a long way to overcome carp.
Stocking and breeding programs are helping to tip the scales in the favour of cod.
And it’s one of the major reasons I fish the Goulburn where I do. The coffee and rum balls I get are great, but also the fishing is good — I catch a cod or two nearly every time I drop a line there.
True, the cod are juvenile, but I see that as a good sign for the future.
Another factor in the increase in cod is the non-removal of snags, which provide cover.
If we all stick to the closed season, then the size and bag limit, the future of cod in our rivers will be good.
While cod rest, you can still fish for yellowbelly.
You can use the same baits, but just a little lighter with tackle.
While being a perch, golden perch (yellowbelly) do not grow to the same size as cod, but will put up a fight like a redfin, which is also a perch — an English perch.
Another native fish that lives in our rivers is the silver perch, often called a bream.
It is protected in all rivers and streams in our region.
It is a fish that is difficult to hook because it has a very small mouth.
The rules governing silver perch are varied, and in some parts of Victoria, they can be taken.
Make sure you check the guide book.
While I have the time, I will correct an error from last week: cod season closed at midnight on August 31 and will reopen at midnight on November 30.
Sorry for last week’s mistake.
For trout, the best spot is still Lake Dartmouth, but last week’s weather made fishing there tough with wind, rain, snow and hail.
The fish don’t care but we do, so waiting for better conditions is in order.
It is the wind that needs to go.
The other conditions you can cope with.
At this time of year, the rainbow trout are just completing their breeding season and are keen to feed.
It’s time to look at saltwater fishing.
Rod Lawn from Adamas Fishing Charters based at Queenscliff said snapper were starting to appear in better numbers and some bigger fish were among them.
The next most popular fish is flathead, and they can be caught all year round on the sandy bottom.
Though not big fish, they can be taken in good numbers.
Other species on the bite are silver trevally and leatherjacket.
For some reason they are in good numbers and are large in size.
Gummy sharks are also being caught around the dive sites.
Western Port Bay is also fishing well, according to Rod, who said the rubble bed alongside the shipping lane at Hastings was worth a try for snapper, while gummy sharks could be caught in the deep near Phillip Island.
North of the NSW border, Eden is fishing well for snapper and morwong, according to John Liddell.
Meanwhile, Graham Cowley said it was the same around Montague Island.
He said flathead were also biting around the sandy bottom near the island.
Remember it is now closed cod season.
Well, stay safe and good fishing.
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