This week has been rather slow on the angling front with overall participation understandably down given the recent bushfires and the smoky aftermath.
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Hopefully the Mid-North Coast, and entire state for that matter, will get some much-needed rain soon, and conditions begin to ease in the short term.
In the estuary, our summer staples of whiting and flathead have been quite active. Good reports on whiting have come from Limeburners and Blackmans Point in particular, with worms and yabbies working well.
Whiting can be taken at most times and during all tide phases, but the better fish have generally been more active after dark.
On the flathead front, lures continue to account for the vast majority of fish, with consistent reports pretty well from all points east of Wauchope.
For blackfish enthusiasts, the breakwalls are still worth a look on cabbage, while Settlement Point and Limeburners have also seen fish feeding on green weed.
Mud crabs have been a little quiet, but blue swimmer reports are solid from most locations downstream of Rawdon Island.
Off the beaches, a few nice whiting have been showing up at Lighthouse, North Beach and Shelleys. Worms have been the gun bait, with a few nice bream also mixed in with the whiting.
Tailor reports remain sporadic at best. Middle Rock and South Beach at Dunbogan would appear your best options.
Off the rocks, you have had to work for results which is generally the case at this time of year. Lighthouse remains worth a look for a few late season drummer, as does Diamond Head. Plomer has held a few bream and blackfish but not in big numbers.
Hopefully when the water warms a little more we might see a few chopper tailor show up towards Christmas as they usually do.
Offshore, despite conditions still being largely average, some reasonable fish are on offer. The FAD has been worth a look with some nice mahi mahi approaching 10 kilograms on offer, with small skirts are live baits proving effective.
Wider out, the odd striped marlin is about for the game fishing enthusiasts. Off the reefs, snapper, pig fish, pearl perch and morwong have all been biting consistently, with the reefs north and south of Port fishing well.
The flathead grounds in around 55 metres east of the bar are also worth a look if you are simply after a tasty feed.
Finally, don't forget the Marine Rescue Port Macquarie night has been rescheduled for Saturday 6.30pm at The Westport Club. Always a good night and well worth attending.
