Once again we seen have another mixed up week weatherwise, with southerlies and nor' easters alternating every few days, but once again only a little rainfall.
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In the estuary, flathead numbers are terrific, with plenty of fish throughout the Hastings from Wauchope down to the breakwalls. Those throwing lures continue to enjoy the best of the action, however a lightly weighted whitebait will also prove effective.
On the blackfish front, catches remain a little on the inconsistent side although there have been plenty of fish sighted throughout the lower estuary. Bream numbers remain solid with the better results from around Rawdon Island on lures during the day, and either yabbies or mullet strips after dark.
The lower reaches have seen a few nice mulloway to around 20 kilograms taken over the full moon period on live baits and lures. Plenty of school-sized fish further upriver with soft vibes best.
We have also seen a significant increase in whiting activity with the flats around Pelican Island and Limeburners giving up some top fish on worms and yabbies. Look for surface lures to prove effective in the coming months.
Off the rocks, the odd drummer is about with the occasional fish up to 3 kilos. Might still be worth prospecting with cunjevoi or peeled prawns. Tailor are reasonable from most headlands, but the odd large greenback was taken from Crescent Head and Diamond Head in the recent full moon phase. Those keen on chasing bream, are best to head to Crescent Head with fresh tailor strips, either early mornings or after dark.
On the beaches, red weed is appearing - definitely not what we want to see so early in the season. Fingers crossed we don't get a repeat of last year. With the absence of significant rainfall, however, it's not encouraging.
There have been some reasonable late season bream around Lighthouse in particular. Best results have been after dark on worms and pipis. Tailor results have been average with the better action at North Haven and Dunbogan. The southern end of Lighthouse around Lake Cathie has also produced a few nice whiting on worms.
Offshore, snapper numbers remain terrific. The reefs off Plomer in about 40-50 metres have been consistently holding fish to around 6kg. The reefs off Port and closer in off Lighthouse beach have been worth a visit with soft plastics particularly effective on the better quality reds.
Wider out, trag rock has held some nice kingfish to around 10kg, while most reefs have seen reasonable numbers of pearl perch and the odd mulloway.
