This time of year is arguably the most anticipated season from an angling perspective. The ocean waters are still warm, meaning our summer orientated species are still active, whilst over the next month or so many of our popular winter species begin their annual spawning runs along our coastline. Put simply, pretty well all species are on offer during this season, and often in quite memorable numbers. In the estuaries, bream numbers and quality begin to pick up, especially if significant rainfall is received.

For the lure enthusiasts, surface presentations will still prove effective, although blades, soft vibes and soft plastics will come into their own as winter approaches. On the bait front, live yabbies and mullet fillets always work well, as to gut baits particularly after dark. Flathead activity also remain terrific, with all manner of lures worth throwing. From a bait perspective, prawns and mullets fillets will work, but by far the premier morsel to offer is whitebait. Whiting will still be viable targets with worms and yabbies the premier offerings. Blackfish numbers will also begin to pick up in the lower reaches especially around the break walls.

Greenweed, cabbage and weed flies will all prove successful. And with plenty of mullet progressively moving into the lower estuary preparing for their annual run up the coast, some terrific mulloway are bound to be on offer.

Off the beaches, a few whiting should remain active for at least another month or two at least. Tailor numbers should begin to improve as the baitfish schools begin to travel the coastline, which will also see mulloway activity increase substantially. And anytime from May onwards, bream should begin travelling with some terrific action on offer during this time.

Off the rocks, our bread and butter species such as bream, tailor and blackfish should progressively improve, while a few early season drummer may well show up.

Autumn is also prime time for land based game opportunities, with mackerel, cobia and longtail tuna all viable targets along the mid north coast at this time of year.

Offshore, mackerel, cobia and longtails will all be on offer in Barries Bay as well as other close in reef locations. Wider out, mahi mahi will be at the FAD until such time as it’s removed, while marlin will remain worth chasing for a couple of months yet.

Snapper, kingfish, pearl perch and other reef species will all be worth chasing as well during autumn.