DESPITE the fact we are now apparently in another El Nino weather pattern, last weekend saw significant rainfall, both coastal and throughout the catchment area of the Mid-North Coast.
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As a result, the angling landscape has changed temporarily with Lake Cathie rising about 40cm, the Hastings turning brown and freshwater pursuits put on hold for the time being.
Despite this, plenty of angling opportunities exist following a fresh, and in any case, unless more significant follow up rainfall is received, things should be back to normal in around a week or so.
In the estuaries, bream numbers have really picked up the lower reaches of the Hastings. Best results have come from both break walls and around Settlement Point, with mullet strips and gut baits working well.
Flathead numbers also remain solid although the better results will be achieved in the lower reaches until the clarity improves further upstream.
On the whiting front, Limeburners and the back channel are both starting to hold some nice fish, with the better results being achieved around the top of the tide.
For mulloway enthusiasts, the fresh wasn’t significant enough to see the larger models congregate around the walls, but plenty of school sized fish remain on offer as they have been for some time now.
Those throwing lures continue to achieve the better results.
At Lake Cathie, as mentioned the water level has risen significantly but is still a long way off triggering manual opening.
Despite the rise, fishing remains excellent with great numbers of flathead and some cracking whiting on offer downstream of the Perch Hole. As for what effect this change in water level will have on the prawning front remains to be seen.
On the beaches, whiting numbers continue to improve with Lighthouse in particular giving up some nice fish. Best bet is to fish the shallower sand bars on the rising tide with either worms or pipis, and avoid the deeper gutters.
A few reasonable bream also remain on offer, with Grants Beach continuing to fish quite well.
The southern end of North Beach should also be worth investigating given the small fresh currently coming down the Hastings.
For night time anglers, school mulloway remain viable targets, with good tides for chasing them kicking off over the next few nights.
Off the rocks, a few tailor have shown up around Point Plomer, although generally speaking, they are only in the chopper class.
A few blackfish continue to be encountered locally, with Shelley’s and Miner’s the pick of locations. For night time rock hoppers, a few bream remain on offer together with a few school mulloway, with either Big Hill or Plomer worth a look.
On the land based game front, we have heard quite a few whispers regarding cobia at Hat Head, so lobbing a livie may not be as silly as it sounds at this time of year.
Offshore, those who have been able to take advantage of the limited weather windows have generally been doing quite well.
Snapper numbers are reasonable with both baits and plastics working well. Best results of late have come from the reefs south of Port.
Some cracking pearl perch have also been on offer, including a sensational 5.65 kilo model scored by Rohan Dawson earlier this week on a live slimey.
Wider out, mahi mahi numbers are encouraging, with the FAD certainly worth a visit, especially if you can get there with livies before the competition arrives.
Until next week, good fishing and tight lines to all.