We are now well into spring, almost as if Mother Nature has waved a magic wand.

We have gone from cold to warm, and we are starting to get more active.

We are not the only ones to be affected by the weather.

Snakes start to feel the chill disappear, and they become more active as they rouse from their winter hibernation.

Four months of not eating sure makes a reptile hungry, and they start looking around for a feed.

We in Australia have some of the most deadliest snakes in the world, and in our region we have three of the most dangerous.

The eastern brown snake, the tiger snake and the red-belly black snake — all three capable of killing with a single bite.

We need to be aware of snakes at this time of year because we move into their hunting areas when we go fishing around the riverbanks and overgrown bush.

Tiger and brown snakes are the worst, as they carry potent venom, and a bite can cause death if untreated.

Like sharks are a danger in the ocean, snakes are a danger in the bush, so take care.

I received a call from Graham Cowley at Narooma reporting that yellowfin tuna were on the bite in what he described as the best numbers he had seen for many years.

Not only off the shelf but inshore as well.

He said most were 25 to 35 kilograms.

Graham said he was also bagging a heap of flathead and snapper, as well as morwong.

And if you didn’t mind a tussle, there were always kingfish on the go.

Near the NSW/Victoria border at Eden, the tuna were off the shelf according to John Liddle, who said that mixed among the yellowfin were southern bluefin moving up from the south.

He said it was one of the best tuna seasons he had seen since he moved to Eden from Shepparton.

John said there were some anglers who preferred to fish inshore and catch snapper.

He said that they, too, were catching plenty of fish.

Rod Lawn from Adamas Fishing Charters at Queenscliff said spring was looking good, with snapper starting to move into the region around the heads and Point Lonsdale, as well as Barwon.

He said that while most snapper were pinky sized he was catching an occasional bigger fish.

Rod said that while squid were sparse, whiting and flathead filled the gap.

He said that gummy sharks in the areas around the inlets were also providing anglers with action.

Rod said the same could be said about Western Port Bay.

In Bass Strait, James Luddington on Flinders Island said that around Lady Barron, there were plenty of gummy sharks, flathead and leatherjacket, but few anglers.

James said it was a shame more anglers did not go to the island at this time of year because the fishing was pretty damn good.

Meanwhile, in our region, we have experienced some fine spring weather ideal for freshwater fishing in lakes and rivers.

While it is closed season on cod, yellowbelly, redfin and trout are on the bite, and nice fish have been caught in both the Murray and the Goulburn rivers.

With cod season closed, most of the action appears to be redfin, with the Hume, Waranga Basin and one other spot supplying the action — Lake Eppalock near Bendigo.

Redfin can also be caught in Eildon around the tree line and also at Peppin Point.

Speaking of Eildon and cod, Eildon is open for catching cod, but bag and size limits apply.

Stay water safe, road safe and snake safe.

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Friday, 23rd April 2027

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