In the estuaries, flathead are once again the star attraction and will likely remain so over the coming months. As seems to be the case nowadays, those throwing lures are accounting for the better levels of action, with soft plastics, soft vibes, blades and hard bodied divers all working well.

Of course bait fishing remains a viable approach with whitebait being arguably the premier offering, although prawns, pilchards, yabbies and mullet strips will also prove effective. Just remember, keep your bait moving when chasing flathead, as they are an ambush predator, usually waiting on the bottom for food to come to them. If your bait is stationary or anchored to the bottom with a large sinker, flathead encounters will only be incidental at best.

Also in the estuaries, blackfish numbers have been up in the lower reaches, with the break walls and Westport seeing reasonable results over the past week. Those using weed flies have enjoyed particular success. Whiting numbers have also been encouraging from the Hastings, with results sure to pick up as the waters warm.

Bream numbers however are down in the lower reaches, although reasonable results continue to be achieved by those throwing lures up river. Some nice school mulloway have also been active throughout the upper reaches, while the tides and moon during the latter part of this week will be ideal for chasing a larger model off the break walls.

Off the beaches, a few school mulloway have been caught on both Lighthouse and North beach during early evening sessions. Beach worms and whole squid have both proven successful. A few salmon have also been about late afternoons, while mornings have produced a few bream and whiting. Tailor however have been largely disappointing.

On the rocks, a few better than average tailor were active leading up to the full moon which is always a bonus at this time of year. Locally, Lighthouse again has proven the pick of locations, whilst Crescent Head and South West Rocks have also produced a few reasonable bags.

Those fishing south around Diamond Head and Point Perpendicular have also scored a few late season drummer, some reasonable bream and the odd snapper which is always a welcome bonus for land based anglers.

Offshore, snapper results have again been mixed in close, with some doing reasonably well and other struggling. No doubt the cool green water has not been helping in this regard, Best reports have come from those anchoring and burlying close in south of the Lighthouse. Wider out, kingfish numbers have been consistent around Trag Rock, with fish up to 12 kilos on offer, while wider still some terrific striped marlin have been wider out for the game fishing enthusiasts.