The weather and angling conditions these school holidays have so far been just about as good as it gets at this time of year. Sure it's a tad cool, but it is winter.
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Let's just hope the re-emergence of COVID-19 elsewhere in the country is rapidly brought under control, so we can continue to enjoy what has been a great winter angling season.
In the estuary, bream have been reasonable despite the recent full moon with fish up to a kilogram off the breakwalls and in Limeburners.
The breakwalls have also been producing a consistent run of nice blackfish to around that size on both green weed and weed flies.
Up river, flathead have been terrific with all manner of lures and baits working.
Some nice whiting have also been active in Lake Cathie, however PMHC have today issued a caution notice in respect to lake.
Pending further analysis, the orange floc recently seen in the system is possibly related to acid sulphate, with council advising against swimming or eating marine life until results are known. Fingers crossed for a good outcome in this respect.
Off the rocks, drummer numbers remain terrific with good numbers of fish taken from most ledges. Call them what you like, eastern rock blackfish or drummer, but the appropriately titled pigs are one species, perhaps more than any other, which is eagerly awaited by many rock hoppers along the NSW coastline.
You only need to experience a good session of knuckle-busting fish to understand what the fuss is about.
Lighthouse, Rocky and Shelly beaches are worth a look, as are Plomer, Hat Head and most locations south.
Also of the rocks, good bream remain on offer albeit patchy at times, with Lighthouse and Diamond Head producing some nice fish.
Blackfish of course remain in good numbers for those willing to float a bit of cabbage around the washes, while dawn or dusk sessions from most locations are yielding tailor to about 2kg.
Off the beaches, there are a few nice bream and whiting around North Beach and Lighthouse.
Increasing numbers of salmon are also showing up which is to be expected at this time of year.
Tailor results have been a little patchy but some good-sized greenbacks have been around Crescent Head, while mulloway remain elusive.
Offshore, snapper action in close has really picked up with some top reds to over 8kg being taken on both plastics and baits.
Wider out, pearl perch and kingfish numbers have been consistent. We have also had our first real leatherjacket reports, with big schools as close in as 60 metres off Plomer.
