In the estuaries, whiting numbers remain terrific, with fish again taken from most areas of the Hastings, including the Maria, Limeburners and Lake Cathie. Pick of the baits remain live worms or yabbies, although surface lures of all types are now accounting for quality fish. Flathead remain excellent, with good numbers of pan sized fish around Pelican Island, and some larger specimens encountered in the lower reaches.

On the blackfish scene, a few solid fish were taken from Limeburners over the past week, while the breakwalls have produced consistent if not spectacular results. Bream numbers have been a little down as we expect at this time of year, although reasonable results are now being achieved well upstream, predominately on lures.

There are still plenty of school sized mulloway in the system, with reports from the breakwalls, Rocks Ferry Bridge and many places in between. There are quite a few prawns now active throughout the Lake Cathie system which is significantly improved from last month. While the size is still a little short of desirable, next dark will no doubt attract plenty of interest from prawning enthusiasts.

Off the beaches, mulloway numbers remain consistent with fish still around in good numbers. North Beach, North Haven and South Beach have all produced fish ranging from just legal up to around 20 kilograms. As usual, for the school-sized fish beach worms are the go, however slabs or live baits will prove more enticing for the better quality models. Apart from mulloway, a sprinkling of tailor and salmon are still active particularly late afternoons, while day time anglers are finding the odd nice bream and whiting.

Off the rocks, the occasional drummer remains on offer, with the headlands south of the Camden Haven area producing the more consistent results. Cunjevoi and large peeled prawns have been the pick of baits. Also off the rocks, some reasonable tailor were taken from Plomer just after the full moon, along with the occasional school mulloway. No word yet of pelagics locally, however nice warm water is beginning to snake down the coast and reports from north of South West Rocks suggest an early start to the season is certainly possible.

Offshore, results have been a little mixed as is often the case at this time of year. The weekend saw only average results, but mid week snapper were terrific, with plenty of fish to 8 kilos taken in between 30 and 40m off Cathie. Lures seemed to be the more successful approach. The wider reefs off Plomer have also been worth a look for kingfish, with live baits seeing the better action. No real news on the marlin front, however there are a few terrific mahi mahi at the FAD and wider.

Until next time, tight lines and good fishing to all.