If the weather forecast for the latter part of this week and the weekend miraculously proves accurate, it appears we may finally see a few consecutive days of southerly winds.
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This is something we haven’t seen on the Mid North Coast for quite some time.
Hopefully there will be a twofold benefit of seeing the mercury drop a tad, while also bringing the warm ocean currents in to shore.
Fingers crossed it may even disperse a little red weed which has been along our coastline for far too long, spoiling the shoreline for anglers and beachgoers.
On the beaches, once again red weed remains the primary obstacle, as it has been for the past few months.
Although it is slowly breaking down, hence the odour, it remains significant enough to deter most hardened beach fishos.
Until such time as the winds and currents conspire to push it back to sea, the best bet seems to be to stay mobile, seeking the cleaner sections of water.
There are a few bream, whiting and tailor around if you find the clean water.
In the estuaries, best reports have again been from up river as expected given the absence of any significant rainfall for some time.
Flathead have been the pick of species with around Rawdon Island fishing well.
Some nice bream have also been active in the same area, with surface lures working proving particularly effective.
On the whiting front, some nice quality fish have been taken well up the Maria, with worms and yabbies achieving the better results.
Some solid trevally have also been in the Maria, with surface lures or shallow diving minnows the way to go.
In the lower reaches, we have seen a surprising run of blackfish in as good of condition as you would ever wish to see.
The breakwalls have both fished well, as too the Lady Nelson Wharf and around Westport.
Cabbage has been achieving the better results.
Off the rocks, the land-based game enthusiasts are beginning to get excited, with rumours of a couple of Spanish mackerel taken from the stones not too far north.
If the predicted southerly change eventuates, I would expect a high level of participation on the more popular ledges.
These would be Hat Head to the north and Point Perpendicular to the south, with longtail tuna, mackerel and cobia all sought after species.
Time will tell whether the fish cooperate as hoped.
Also off the rocks, a few tailor and blackfish have been around Diamond Head, while Plomer has held a school mulloway.
Offshore, there have been some nice kingfish and Samson fish in around 70 metres of water when the current allows. Live baits and jigs have both worked well.
On the pelagic front, there have been quite good numbers of small black marlin in close, while the odd cobia has also been encountered in Barries Bay.
Time will tell when or if the mackerel turn up, but there will be no shortage of prospectors now a few southerlies have started bringing the warm currents right in.
Until next time, tight lines, and good fishing to all.
