At the time of writing the forecast for the the weekend is as good as we have seen for some time. Let’s hope the promised light winds, calm seas and plenty of sunshine indeed eventuates.
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In the estuaries, flathead continue to be the best bet with the Hastings and tributaries producing plenty of action, with fish ranging from juvenile to close to a metre.
Best reports have come from Hibbard, while Settlement Point and Blackmans Point are both worth a throw. A few reasonable bream have also been encountered but results have been patchy, while whiting continue to improve.
If you’re seeking a feed of good whiting, both the Maria and Limeburners are worth considering for those with access to a boat, while shore-based anglers could do a lot worse than to head for either the back channel or Blackmans Point.
As usual, live worms and yabbies will achieve the better results from a bait perspective, however the whiting are becoming more responsive to surface lures pretty well each day as the estuary waters slowly warm. Lake Cathie of course remains well worth a look despite being closed, with surface lures in particular attracting plenty of interest.
On the beaches, school mulloway reports remain terrific with consistent numbers of fish ranging from barely legal to over a metre coming from both Lighthouse and North Beach. Best results have been achieved by those using live worms, however whole squid and tailor fillets have both proven effective.
For best results, focus your efforts around either a change of tide, or change of light, or better still wait these to coincide which is prime time. Apart from mulloway, a few bream, whiting and tailor have taken, together with the odd salmon.
Off the rocks, a few tailor have been on offer from Point Plomer and surrounds, while the same locations during early morning or late afternoons are worth a throw for bream. A few nice blackfish have also been taken around Shelleys and Miners, however a bit of rough water is a must.
The next few weeks may also be well worth a throw for a late season drummer, as we have seen a few very good quality pigs on offer this month. For those keen on a bit of land-based game action, rumour has it there have been quite a few cobia encounters from the Hat head and South West Rocks areas.
Little to report from the offshore front, thanks largely to the constant winds which have been frustrating anglers no end. Hopefully this weekend will see the promised calm conditions indeed eventuate, and if so, I expect strong patronage.
For those heading out, snapper, kingfish and pearl perch will all be worth chasing off the reefs in around 30 to 50 meters. On the pelagic front, the FAD will be worth a look for mahi mahi while marlin and yellowfin will be viable targets around the shelf.
Until next week, tight lines and good fishing for all.