THE Murray River near Mildura is popular with anglers.
Over the past couple of seasons the locals have organised lure fishing tournaments based on the bream fishing tournaments held in estuaries.
What is different about the event is that it is based on yellowbelly.
Murray cod is the iconic fish of this river and this area produces big Murray cod, yet they are ignored for a smaller species that is more prolific and a food source for the cod.
Murray cod season won't reopen until next month, but this is a species restriction and it doesn't bother anglers who by preference target yellowbelly, even during the cod season.
Many times when I have been on the river fishing for cod I have seen more anglers fishing for yellowbelly.
The yellowbelly, or golden perch as it is officially known, is the bread and butter native fish in southern waterways.
I recently spent a couple of days in Canberra fishing the local lakes including Lake Burley Griffin, Yerrabi Ponds and Lake Ginninderra with Shaun Anderson. Our target species was yellowbelly.
This species is not the hardest, toughest or smartest fish but it is great value as a light tackle sportfishing option.
Catching yellas is not always easy. They school up in and around structures such as fallen timber, and any fish you have to pull out of a snag will present difficulties.
On light tackle the level of difficulty increases.
Shaun was working a baitcaster outfit and I was casting with a 3kg threadline outfit, both rigged with 7kg breaking strain leaders, a necessity due to the terrain the lures were pulling through.
We walked the shorelines of the various waters casting spinnerbaits, bibbed minnows and bibless crankbaits. The technique was to allow the lures to run deep and slow.
Distance from shore was not a determining factor in success as the yellowbelly were in close to rock walls, weed beds and fallen timber.
It was good fun and the fish were from 45cm to 55cm.
In the next month or so, many yellowbelly will be "roed up" for spawning and some huge fish will be caught, not just in Canberra but in all waters inhabited by them.
As with most of our native species, yellowbelly have a high tolerance of turbid and warm water.
On days when trout will be seeking oxygen and cooler water, and Murray cod are sulking, yellowbelly are likely to be feeding vigorously.
The main catalyst for bringing yellowbelly to a higher level of feeding activity is a rise in river level.
Yellowbelly are widely distributed in Victorian and southern NSW waters.
In recent years, they have been given a higher profile push by Victorian Fisheries and feature prominently in its stocking regimes being introduced into many waters, streams and lakes.
Most Mallee and Wimmera rivers hold reasonable numbers.
Last week, reports were coming through of consistent catches of yellowbelly to 3kg on lures from shore and boat at Lake Eildon. Other waters, such as Hume, Eppalock and Mulwala lakes are highly regarded for their yellowbelly.
Yellowbelly are abundant and provide the mainstay of the edible catch along the Murray River and tributaries like the Wakool, Murrumbidgee and Darling rivers.
Tackle is basic. Bait and lure anglers will find a 3-4 kg outfit with a medium threadline reel adequate. In timber, use a heavier leader of about 7kg.
The only reason to fish a heavier outfit is if there is a chance of hooking a big cod and you want to avoid being busted up. Baits that produce results include shrimp, scrubworms, small yabbies and bardi grubs.
- Steve Cooper can be heard on the Casting Off program on Radio Sport927 between 4.30am and 6.30am on Saturdays.
