February is often a month not regarded highly on the angling calendar, however this year is shaping up as above average courtesy of all the rainfall over Christmas and the new year period.
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With the upper estuaries now replenished, and reasonable clarity now returning the lower reaches, there will certainly plenty of great angling action to be enjoyed over the coming weeks.
In the estuaries, flathead have been terrific with fish on offer from basically all points downstream of Wauchope. Lures, whitebait and the humble mullet strip have all been worth throwing.
Pick of the other species has been whiting with terrific fish taken from around Pelican Island, Limeburners and of course Lake Cathie. A few nice bream have also been on offer around the breakwalls, along with the occasional blackfish.
Good to see a few mulloway again active around the recent moon, with the north wall giving up quite a few school sized fish, and the odd fish on the south wall. Some nice garfish are also in the Hastings if you are after some light line fun.
On the beaches, bream to around a kilogram have been taken from Lighthouse and North Beach, although the consistent swells of late have made conditions challenging. Some nice whiting have been caught on worms and pipis, while the recent full moon phase saw the occasional school mulloway after dark.
A few reasonable tailor have also returned to our part of the coast now the water clarity is close to normal.
Off the rocks, tailor numbers are reasonable with Point Plomer and Diamond Head faring best, while Lighthouse is also worth a throw. A few nice bream have been on the chew during early mornings, with tailor strips proving the bait of choice.
Little to report on the land-based game scene as yet, but from now onwards is generally when it all happens. The currents are shaping up favourably and bait schools are becoming more common each day.
Offshore, conditions have not been ideal for a while now with either wind or swell making most days uncomfortable at best. While a few snapper and pearl perch have been caught, flathead have been saving grace.
Good news however on the pelagic front, with a few spotted and Spanish mackerel now in Barries Bay, while we have also heard reports of wahoo not far north.
If you don't like crowds and are keen to chase these inshore pelagics, anywhere you find bait off Port or Lighthouse Beach in the 12-30 metre depth there will be fish.
As the sharks are nowhere near as plentiful you stand a very good chance of getting most fish to the boat in their entirety.
