This last fortnight has seen the best stretch of weather in many months, with plenty of sun, little wind and calm seas. Enjoy this while it lasts, as we are way overdue for some much needed decent rainfall.
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Most beaches are holding a fair amount of formations, courtesy of a sustained period of quite calm seas. Tailor have been quite consistent with most stretches of sand producing fish both at first and last light. Bream have also picked up noticeably after the recent full moon, with Lighthouse in particular worth a look. Best results over the past week have been at night.
Off the rocks, tailor remain reasonable with Lighthouse and Shelleys giving up a few fish, however Point Plomer and Crescent Head have held some better quality fish about 2 kilograms. Night-time anglers report increasing numbers of well conditioned bream, while the odd mulloway has been encountered, no doubt following either the mullet or tailor schools.
Early season results for drummer are encouraging with Diamond Head and Point Perpendicular worth a look. To date, most fish are in the under 2kg bracket however, as the waters cool, look for a few better fish to show up.
In the estuary, bream numbers are improving and should continue to do so now the full moon is behind us. Evening sessions on the breakwalls, and in Limeburners could well prove productive. Flathead numbers are excellent, with quality fish from all points between Wauchope and the breakwalls. Whitebait and lures of most profiles have been the premier offering.
Blackfish numbers are reasonable, although the bite and quality has been a little inconsistent. Perhaps the next batch of crook weather may see an improvement. There are still a few nice mulloway on offer in the lower reaches, with live mullet and large hard-bodied lures worth throwing. Up river, school-sized fish are around the bridges, with live herring, soft plastics and soft vibes working well.
Offshore the recent full phase produced mixed results. Pat from Fish Port Macquarie Charters has been putting his clients onto some nice mulloway, while others scored a few snapper and teraglin, all during evening charters.
Daytime anglers have found a few snapper and pearl perch, with the reefs off Plomer producing the better overall results. There are still a few mahi mahi hanging around, although just bear in mind the annual winter removal of the NSW Fisheries FAD is imminent, so be quick to get the last action of the season. We have also a few early season signs of leatherjackets showing up.
