While this time of year is not generally known for producing spectacular results, there has certainly been enough angling action to keep fishos interested, no matter whether your passion lies offshore, on the beaches or rocks, or within our river system.
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In the estuary, flathead continue to dominate however whiting numbers are improving each week. Best bait for whiting remains either beach worms or yabbies, with Blackmans Point, Limeburners, the Maria and the back channel all well worth a look locally.
Those travelling south to Lake Cathie have also been scoring some nice fish despite the system being closed. Look for the whiting to be responsive to surface lures from now on, as the water warms and prawn activity increases.
Flathead are spread pretty well throughout the entire Hastings estuary with areas upstream in both the Hastings and Maria rivers still fishing best. However numbers closer to Port have been quite good with fish taken from the back channel, Hibbard and Limeburners.
Best bait continues to be whitebait, however lures of all types have also been scoring heaps of quality fish.
On the blackfish front, results have been inconsistent however the breakwalls are still worth a look on either green weed, cabbage or weed flies.
For bream enthusiasts, best reports are from around Rawdon Island, with some nice fish approaching a kilogram taken on both lures and baits.
Good news on the crabbing front with blue swimmers and muddies active in the Hastings. In the absence of any fresh influx of late, look for the blue swimmers a little further upstream than usual. Those using witches hats report getting a healthy mix of both species in the same locations.
Off the beaches, we are still hearing reports of red weed north of Port however south remains largely clean. The next onset of nor' easters late this week may change that.
Best reports of late have been on the bream front, with Lighthouse Beach continuing to fish well. A few salmon and whiting have also been taken from in front of Lake Cathie, together with the occasional school mulloway.
On the rocks, the odd drummer is still on offer primarily from Diamond Head and Point Perpendicular. While the numbers may not be great, there have been a few quality fish to around 3kg taken over recent weeks.
Bream numbers remain reasonable, especially around Plomer and Crescent Head, with night time sessions the go. A few blackfish and groper are still being extracted from Bonny Hills and Point Perpendicular.
On the offshore scene, in between the winds and rough seas, snapper numbers remain solid, particularly from the reefs in under 50 metres of water. Along with the snapper, pearl perch have been in good numbers while a little wider, the odd Sampson fish, teraglin and kingfish to around 10 kilos have been encountered.
On the mahi mahi front, fish are around the FAD, however remain subdued. Hopefully a bit of warmer water will see them fire up.
Until next time, tight lines and good fishing to all.
