The wait is over, and keen anglers are raring to dip their lines in the water to catch 'that' fish.
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Murray Cod season is officially open, and both fishing clubs and recreational parks are preparing to reel in the crowds.
Lake Keepit Reflections Park manager Leith Smith said even as they hit two days into the season he'd had quite a few avid fishers come through, which indicates to him the park will be very busy over Christmas.
He's already seen some big Murray Cod come out of the water, pushing around 70 to 80 centimeters.
He says it's just a shame he wasn't the one to catch them.
"The biggest we've ever caught here would be over a metre, and I have seen some pictures of a fish that was 105 centimetres," he explained.
"That one metre mark, that's always the target to hit - it's pretty rarified but hopefully who knows, with a bit of luck it'll be me."
But while catching fish that big may require some tricky handling, according to West Tamworth fishing club president Col Jeffries, it's all about maintaining their sustainability.
"If we caught one that big we would put it back, even if we didn't have to, because they're the breeders," he said.
He reckons Copeton Dam would be brimming with the king of fish at the moment, and hopes to get out and see for himself.
The biggest Cod he knows of came in over 30 pounds in the old measurement.
South Bowlo fishing club president Brett Douglass said the club could barely contain their collective excitement at having a crack at reeling in a big Murray Cod.
"The biggest I've seen at Chaffey dam was 1.175 metres, and it took a bit of wheeling in - I didn't catch that one though," Mr Douglas laughed.
"There is probably bigger fish than that in there, for those who are up to the challenge, but whether they come on to the bite or not that's a different story."
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Recent inflows into rivers and dams has created a much healthier environment for our native fish species, meaning we have some of the best conditions seen in many years.
"We've even seen a few Yellow Bellies - and it's been a while since we've seen any of them around," Mr Smith explained.
All ready to pull in the biggest, they were all mindful of the rules.
A daily bag limit of two Murray Cod per person and a total possession limit of four applies when fishing in any inland waters.
Anglers are also required to release Murray Cod which are smaller than 55cm, or bigger than 75cm, with the least possible harm.
