As a result our angling season is running a little later which, on the positive side, means the best of the action is still to come.

In the estuary, bream numbers are improving and should do even more in the coming weeks. Best results have been during evening sessions, especially with mullet strips, gut baits and yabbies. 

Flathead numbers are excellent, with quality fish on offer from all points between Rawdon Island and the breakwalls. Those throwing lures, particularly soft vibes, have had the better results. These same lures have also been producing plenty of school mulloway from around the highway bridges and other holes and structures up river.

Blackfish numbers are slowly picking up, although there are still plenty of throwbacks. Green weed and weed flies have both proven successful. Results should improve markedly in the coming weeks when some of the big schools of bronzies hanging around the headlands move into the estuaries and begin feeding. Many expect the season proper to kick off in the lower estuary with the next big sea. 

On the beaches, Lighthouse has been producing some nice bream and a steady stream of tailor, albeit mostly in the chopper class. North beach has fished well for both species as well as a few late season whiting. School mulloway action remains consistent, with reasonable reports of fish from North Beach, Lake Cathie and North Haven. With great tides from the latter part of this week onwards, results should be solid as long as conditions remain reasonable.

Tailor are consistent off the rocks, with Lighthouse, Miners and Shelley’s all giving up good feeds, and Point Plomer and surrounds delivering the better quality fish. Evening anglers report increasing numbers of well-conditioned bream, while the odd school mulloway has been taken on both beach worms and tailor fillets.

Blackfish numbers have been reasonable, with Shelleys and Miners certainly worth a look, while Plomer and the adjoining headlands have seen some encouraging early season drummer action. Look for results to improve as the water cools in the next few weeks.

On the offshore scene, while the continued presence of 22 degree water in close has seen the snapper yet to fully fire up, results are steadily improving with a few cracking fish caught. Off Plomer, snapper numbers have been reasonable with both soft plastics and live baits proving effective, while the odd very nice fish has been taken close in off Lake Cathie.

Squid are still worth chasing on the close in kelp beds off Port and Plomer, while the odd mackerel and longtail tuna are still about close in for those keen on some inshore pelagic action.

Until next week, good fishing and tight lines to all.