Anglers young and old usually head to the water to take advantage of what is arguably the most pleasant time of year.

And with good results of late from many locations, the season ahead is shaping up very nicely indeed.

In the estuary, a few solid bream have been on offer with the lower reaches around the coal wall and Limeburners producing the better results.

The word is pilchard pieces, mullet strips and yabbies have all worked well.

On the blackfish front, we are still seeing plenty of very well conditioned fish in the lower Hastings, with the breakwalls the place to be to take advantage of them. Cabbage and bull weed have been the go.

Mullet numbers also continue to swell in the lower reaches in anticipation of their annual exodus due in another couple of weeks.

With the mullet there, hopefully the mulloway will play the game as they generally do during this congregation.

Further up river, flathead numbers have been consistent between Hibbard and Rawdon Island, whilst Blackmans Point and Limeburners have both produced a few nice whiting.

Still plenty of mud crabs around both Rawdon Island and Telegraph Point.

Off the beaches, once again red weed has become an issue on many stretches of sand. 

This has been an ongoing problem now for nearly five months, which is longer than I can ever recall.

While the odd southerly blow has seen temporary relief, what we really need is a decent flood to finally clean things up.

If you can find clean water, tailor numbers have been quite good from north beach, whilst Lighthouse is still holding a few nice bream and whiting.

Off the rocks, tailor numbers remain consistent from most areas, with Plomer and Crescent Head in particular fishing well.

The Lighthouse locally is also worth a look as long as it is free of red weed. Those throwing small metals are also scoring some nice bonito.

On the land based game front, longtail tuna remain a viable target with Point Perpendicular remaining well patronised on most days.

If you are looking to target these sought after sport fish without plenty of company, the Lighthouse at Port, Bonny Hills and the north breakwall have all seen fish on a consistent basis.

Offshore, this past week has seen plenty of current streaming down from the north with mixed results.

Close in south of the Lighthouse has been fishing well for snapper, with both plastics and baits seeing good results on fish to over 8 kilos.

The odd spotted mackerel and longtail tuna have also been taken from the same area.

Barries remains a little fickle with the both of these species reasonably common, along with the occasional Spanish mackerel and cobia.

Wider out, the FAD continues to hold plenty of mahi mahi with the best results seen on the days when the current is not too quick.

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