There is no doubt fishing is a great pastime for both the young and not so young. 

So, why not get out on the water and wet a line and enjoy some winter angling on the Mid-North Coast, especially while the weather is cooperating.

In the estuary, while the Hastings continues to fish very well indeed, Lake Cathie will now become a focal point courtesy of the manual opening a couple of days ago.

Despite the time of year, whiting and flathead will both be well worth targeting, with bream and blackfish also distinct possibilities once the clean ocean water begins to push back into the system.

In the Hastings, bream remain terrific from most parts with baits and lures effective.

Flathead have also been common particularly around the Hibbard area, while a few school mulloway have been taken in the deeper holes up river towards Wauchope.

On the blackfish front, results have only been average over the past week, with the breakwalls fishing as well as anywhere.

Off the rocks, tailor remain a well worth chasing from most headlands, with some nice fish to around 2 kilos on offer. Best results seem to be coming from around Plomer and Big Hill.

Drummer remain well worth chasing providing you can locate areas well washed out. Locally, Rockys is worth prospecting with either cunjevoi or prawns.

On the bream front, this weekend’s big tides will see them well worth chasing after dark from the shallow washes around Shelleys and Miners, with either tailor or mullet strips recommended offerings.

Off the beaches, the recent offshore winds have seen many promising formations develop.

Lighthouse has been quite consistent for tailor and salmon, with metal lures working well.

North beach has seen the better of the bream action with pipis and mullet strips seeing good results.

Mulloway numbers however have been down a little, although the next few nights could see the fish active as long as you can locate a formation fishable given the very high tides.

Offshore, conditions remain less than ideal on most days despite the big swell predicted for last weekend barely developing.

Those who have managed to get out have generally been doing quite well on reef species, with snapper, pearl perch and a few kingfish on offer.

The reefs off Plomer in between 45 metres and 60m have been quite productive for mixed bags, while the close in reefs off Lighthouse beach have yielded a few very nice snapper, predominately on soft plastics.

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