Mother Nature has certainly shown us who’s in control over the past week. Firstly Lake Cathie finally closed to the sea after being open for over 21 months.
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I for one cannot recall when it was last opened for this length of time.
Secondly, the mercury approached 40 degrees last weekend which is most unusual for this time of year. Hopefully this not a precursor for the summer ahead, and more importantly, fingers crossed for some reasonable rainfall in the not too distant future.
In the estuary, blackfish have been reasonable with some nice fish still available for those willing to put in the time. Best results have come from the break walls and the Lady Nelson Wharf, with both greenweed and weed flies successful.
Flathead numbers continue to improve almost daily with pretty well all areas downstream of Rawdon Island producing fish on both lures and baits. There have been some terrific fish in excess of 75cm caught, with the vast majority released to breed another day.
On the bream front, best reports have come from those fishing the upper reaches on lures, although Limeburners after dark is also worth a look. Whiting numbers have also begun to pick up. In the Hastings, around Blackmans Point, Settlement Point and Limeburners have all been worth a look, as to of course Lake Cathie even though closed.
On the crustacean front, the Hastings is again producing some solid mud crabs, while preliminary investigations indicate Lake Cathie is indeed holding plenty of prawns, albeit of questionable size as yet. No doubt the coming months will see plenty of interest on this front.
On the rocks, a few tailor remain on offer for those keen to rise well before 5am, while the evening sessions around high tide should produce a few bream for those willing to put in the time.
Still a few solid groper on offer for those keen to float a few crabs, although as usual, this is critically dependent upon on getting the seas down to a level to safely fish the more productive ledges. Drummer numbers also remain terrific with Diamond Head well worth prospecting with either prawns or cunjevoi.
On the beaches, middle rock and around Lake Cathie has been fishing quite well with some nice bream and whiting, as well as the odd school mulloway. North Beach has also fished well for mulloway with quite a few fish over a meter taken on worms. Best reports on the tailor from are again from the Camden Haven area.
Offshore, those who have been able to get out during the brief interludes between blows have generally been well rewarded. Snapper have been terrific both off Port and Plomer, with both baits and plastics effective, particularly in depths of 40 to 50m. A few kingfish and pearl have also been on offer, while wide out, some nice blue eye and bass groper have been extracted from the depths.
Until next week, good fishing and tight lines to all.