Reel Life | Winter fishing is on!

But for some, it interfered with their King’s Birthday long weekend plans, but that’s just the way winter weather goes.

There are some who will say there wasn’t enough.

Be that as it may, rain is nearly always welcome when you’re on the land.

The advantage of rain is that it will wash fresh food into the river.

This is when the cod are feeding up in readiness for the breeding season.

Not only will they be in a feeding mood, but they’ll also be in good condition.

When fishing, you should target fish close to the bank; that’s where the fresh feeding grounds will be located, and that’s where the fish will be.

Yes, we need the start of winter to keep the inland fishing season flourishing.

While the cold puts yabbies and shrimp off the cod menu, worms — both scrub worms and garden worms — become the food of choice for hungry cod.

Of course, there’s also cheese and chicken, maybe even frozen bardi grubs.

But worms will bring the best results.

Yes, the early winter rains will be washing over fresh feeding grounds.

The rise in water levels, small at the moment, will uncover extra food for hungry fish — just what they need for the start of the breeding season.

So once again, fish close to the water’s edge for the best results.

The same goes for trout as for cod and yellowbelly.

Trout are starting to feed up after completing their breeding cycle, and worms are one of their main dietary requirements.

I have been asked, how do the fenders and similar lures work in attracting trout to bite?

It’s a simple method.

The fender shape acts like a feeding school of fish.

This makes real fish think there’s a free feed on the go.

The trout make a beeline for the flashing objects, and the first thing they run into is the baited hook being dragged behind the fender — and bingo, they become hooked.

The speed at which you troll is important. Don’t go too fast.

I’ve always been told that walking pace is as fast as you should troll.

The tip of the rod should have a regular bounce, and when a fish strikes, the rod will bow in an obvious manner.

If there’s no movement at the tip, then check to make sure you’re not tangled.

You might even find that you’ve caught a small fish, such as a redfin.

Another rule when using a fender is the distance behind the boat.

This is how you manage the depth you troll: At this time of year, you should be at about the surface, where the trout will be feeding. Remember, about 10 to 15 metres will keep you at the surface. To go deeper, you will need a weight and to troll further back.

Fenders work best when you troll at the level where the fish are feeding.

A rule of thumb, in the early morning, fish at the surface.

Then, as the day warms, go deeper.

To wind up about fenders, they can only be used in large dams or lakes.

They do not work in still rivers.

So Dartmouth, the Hume, Eildon and similar places are best.

Time to go saltwater fishing.

Rod Lawn from Adamas Fishing Charters, based at Queenscliff, said the start of winter had not been good for the action around his neck of the woods.

Rod said that tuna were on the go a bit down the coast at Apollo Bay.

While some tuna were sighted off Barwon Heads, getting them to bite was proving a tough chore.

He said that it was just some native small pinky snapper, flathead and the odd leatherjacket. It was also a bit slow around Western Port Bay as well.

Rod said the fishing at Western Port Bay was about the same, with the only difference being that gummy sharks were biting in the deep water off Phillip Island and San Remo.

North of the NSW border at Eden, John Liddell said the crew from Freedom Charters were bagging snapper along the inshore reefs, as well as morwong and kingfish.

Further north at Narooma, Graeme Cowley said the action was about the same around Montague Island.

Graeme said there were bream, luderick and flathead inside the lake and oyster leases.

Well, welcome the rain, the snow and winter.

Stay safe and good fishing!