After a slow start, winter has well and truly arrived on the Mid North Coast. While there is certainly a chill in the air at the present, the local angling scene remains red hot.
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If you’re not already doing it, now is a great time to don that extra layer of clothing and get out and enjoy some of the fantastic angling action on offer.
In the estuary, blackfish numbers remain excellent at the break walls, Lady Nelson wharf and around Westport. The quality has been tops with many fish well over a kilo.
Bream numbers are now close to their peak, with our lower estuaries just about at their best for night breaming. Reports from the break walls have been most positive, with some terrific fish on offer.
As far as bait is concerned, pretty well anything will catch fish in varying numbers, however mullet gut, fished on a 1/0 chemically sharpened suicide hook and minimal lead will prove a deadly combination.
Those throwing soft vibes or crab imitation lures during daylight hours have also been doing well.
A few mulloway have also been reported from around the breakwalls in both the Hastings and Camden Haven, while the shallow flats in Limeburners and around Pelican Island are still producing quality flathead.
Off the rocks, drummer numbers remain terrific with Lighthouse, Miners and Shelley’s all worth a look. In the absence of abalone gut, cunjevoi and prawns have been the baits of choice.
Bream and blackfish numbers have also been excellent, with the washes around Shelley’s locally and Plomer producing well. On the tailor front, a few reasonable fish have been around the Lighthouse at first light.
Off the beaches, bream remain terrific with both Lighthouse and North Beach fishing consistently. A few tailor and salmon have also been taken by those fishing pilchards or metals.
With terrific tides this weekend, both evening and dawn sessions should be terrific, as lot as the sea is somewhat settled, which I know the mulloway enthusiasts are certainly hoping for.
Offshore, the constant winds have certain been frustrating with only slim windows of opportunity of late. Those who have managed to get out have been doing very well on the snapper front, with terrific reports from both in front of Port and close in off Lake Cathie.
Soft plastics have been accounting for fish up to 6 kilos, while those fishing baits at anchor have been scoring plenty of plate sized fish.
Hopefully the winds will settle in the not too distant future and allow some decent access, particularly for those wishing to fish a little wider.
Until next week, good fishing and tight lines to all.