The fishing at the moment is full-on in the flow

ROBINVALE Rod Mackenzie codmac@bigpond.net.au

With the water temperature steadily dropping along the Murray River, anglers are enjoying an increased bite of native fish. It happens every season, and spells the start of the big cod run that rolls on into the cooler months. With the cooling water temps comes the disappearance of shrimp and yabbies, and the predators feed heavily in preparation for the loss of this easy fodder.

Along the Murray River, Swan Hill has yielded a few smaller Murray cod and golden perch on baits, with scrub worms, small yabbies and shrimp working well. The best cod of late taken on the troll near the road bridge measured in at 89cm on a purple lure.

In the local Kerang Lakes, the redin continue to bite well, with Lake Meran the pick. Several anglers have boasted sessions of 10-20 solid fish, some more than a kilo in weight, on blades and ice jigs.

Lake Kangaroo also has good numbers of redfin on jigs and plastics, with the odd solid golden perch muscling in. Some of these have measured up to 55cm.

Along the Murray River downstream, Robinvale is producing golden perch and the odd Murray cod on both bait and lures. Cod to 75cm have been taken on the cast and troll, with the perch scoffing down scrub worms. Carp numbers continue to be a problem, with some absolute thumpers scoffing baits intended for the soughtafter native fish. Further downstream along the Murray, Mildura and Wentworth continue to be the pick of the fishing spots, with several goodsized Murray cod over the metre mark landed. Most fish are being taken on the troll, and the best bite has