In the estuary, bream numbers and quality are consistent although the current full moon phase may see them a little more tentative during evening sessions. Light line and minimal lead will see better results with the moon about. Gut and strip baits should work well.

For daytime anglers, lures will also prove effective, especially soft vibes and plastics fished in the deeper sections. Still plenty of flathead in the system, with some nice models approaching a metre caught last weekend. Suspending minnows and soft vibes are the profiles of choice. Blackfish numbers are improving, with the breakwalls fishing well, and will pick up noticeably if the big swell eventuates.

One thing that won't benefit from the predicted swell is the entrance of Lake Cathie. Last weekend, closure seemed imminent only for a brief reprieve earlier this week. With the quantity of sand now around the entrance I wouldn't be surprised if the weekend swell breaks the camel's back. Hopefully mother nature proves me wrong.

Off the rocks some nice tailor have been on offer with the better results coming from around Crescent Head and Hat Head. Those throwing small metals have also scored a few bonito and the occasional kingfish.

Drummer numbers continue to improve with a few nice fish to around 3 kilograms taken from Diamond Head and Plomer. If the swell this weekend reaches what is forecast look for many ledges to be washed out and some great drummer action as soon as conditions allow. Still good numbers of bream and blackfish with Plomer and Miners worth a look.

On the beaches best results have been from the more protected corners with plenty of bream and whiting still about. Tailor numbers are also picking up as long as the swell allows reasonable access to any deeper gutters you can locate. The southern section of South Beach at Dunbogan has been worth a look, with the odd salmon and school mulloway also about.

Offshore, results have been quite mixed. On the days with a bit of current, snapper have been quite good in close on baits and plastics. But when the current stops so does the level of action. Wider out, there are some nice snapper in 50m to 70m, along with the odd kingfish and pearl perch.

On the inshore pelagic front, still plenty of mac tuna and a few solid longtails closer in, although mackerel reports are now few and far between.

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