This past week has seen some fantastic winter angling throughout the Mid-North Coast, although early morning starts or evening sessions have been quite chilly to say the least.
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In the estuary flathead have been terrific, again putting to bed the old myth that this species is a summer only proposition. Lures of all types have proven effective with plenty of quality fish above 60cm.
Those content to use baits have also enjoyed success, with whitebait and mullet fillets both working well.
While fish have been active in most parts, the middle section between Hibbard and Rawdon Island, including the lower part of the Maria, seems to be the more consistent.
On the bream front, the big evening tides have seen the breakwalls a little quiet, however Limeburners has fished well with either gut baits or yabbies.
Blackfish numbers remain fair, with the breakwalls again fishing as well as anywhere.
To the south, it shouldn’t be too long until Lake Cathie begins to fire, with the water now slowly beginning to clear after last week’s successful opening.
As most will have noted, a different opening position was created this year, predominately to help protect areas recently refilled with sand. Time will tell how this effects the entrances longevity.
Off the rocks, drummer remain active in varying degrees with the better reports of late coming from areas south of Port. Once again, finding well washed out locations has been paramount to success.
Locally, Lighthouse and Plomer have both held tailor, while Miners has fished well for bream either at dawn or after dark.
A few nice groper have also been accessible given the calm seas.
On the beaches, results have been only average over the past week, with just sporadic catches of bream, tailor and salmon.
Now the exceptionally high tides of last weekend have passed, look for formations to begin to redevelop quite rapidly, with more consistent results likely to follow.
Offshore, conditions have been largely terrific with calm seas and little current on most days. As such, those fishing the bottom have been finding good mixed catches of snapper, pearl perch, mulloway and flathead.
Those chasing snapper on lures have also been enjoying good results, with nice fish from most reefs.
Given the absence of current of late, a few have been fishing the wider reefs deeper than 70 meters with good results, something that is not viable with lures for a large part of the year.
Until next time, tight lines and good fishing to all.
