Our winter angling season on the Mid North Coast is really starting to fire with some exceptional action over the past week. Whilst the floods of late March may have proven devastating for many, it has proven a real catalyst for coastal angling, kick starting the season better than we have seen for quite a few years.
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Bream and tarwhine have been terrific off the break walls, around Settlement Point and in Limeburners, with those bait fishing after dark using prawns and strip baits scoring plenty of fish to over a kilo. Daytime angling has also been great with soft vibes and soft plastics fished deep seeing consistent results. Blackfish numbers have also picked up noticeably, with greenweed, flies and cabbage all proving successful at times.
Flathead also remain active in most locations downstream of Rawdon Island, with whitebait or lures the way to go. Lake Cathie has also been fishing consistently for flathead as well. On the mulloway front, a few decent fish have started to become active in the lower Hastings, with live baits or lures fished around evening tide changes the keys to success. Up river, juvenile numbers remain solid.
On the beaches, despite a fair bit of consistent swell over the past week, some top action has been enjoyed. North Beach has been holding tailor to over 2 kilos, whilst most beaches continue to produce a great run of bream and some nice late season whiting. Worms and pipis have been the go for both of these species. A few school mulloway are also getting about, although many are undersize so careful release practices are encouraged.
Of the rocks, tailor numbers and quality have improved markedly with plenty of fish to over 2 kilos on most headland north and south of town. Pilchards, garfish and metals have all proven successful. Those fishing the washes have also been finding plenty of bream, blackfish and drummer, with numbers of the latter particularly encouraging for this point in the season. The key is finding the gutters free of sand.
Offshore, snapper numbers are picking up in close with plenty of pan sized fish and a few larger models. Live baits or lures are again accounting for most of the better fish. Wider out, a few teraglin and pearl perch have been on offer, together with the odd kingfish and mulloway. For those content with a tasty feed of flathead, the sand flats in around 60m have been quite productive. On the pelagic front, while we are coming towards the end of the mackerel season, mac tuna numbers are everywhere, with the odd longtail tuna still cruising around as well.
