It's that time of the year again when our Penn Fish of the Year competition is coming to an end. This year has again seen some terrific captures in all categories.
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You have until 6pm, on Tuesday, December 17, to weigh-in any fish you think may pip the current leaders. There are some great prizes for each species, so it's well worth doing. Final results will be announced in next week's column, so stay tuned.
In the estuaries, flathead continue to star however whiting numbers continue to improve as the waters warm.
Best results on the lizards are still coming from further up the Hastings, with whitebait, prawns and lures of every type all proving successful.
The lower reaches have also produced a run of large females as is usually the case at this time of year.
On the whiting front, beach worms and yabbies remain the pick of the baits, although surface lures are now beginning to come into their own.
On the bream scene, the break walls are still producing a few nice fish after dark, although the more consistent results have been achieved further up river on lures.
Blackfish remain a little hit and miss off the breakwalls and around Settlement Point and are simply a day to day proposition, with a feed rather than a bagful the best realistic result.
On the crab front, blue swimmer numbers and quality remain excellent from most locations between the back channel and Rawdon Island.
On the beaches, we are beginning to see more and more red weed in several locations which is not at all desirable. Fingers crossed is doesn't reach the extent seen last Xmas although time will tell.
From the limited reports, Lighthouse continues to produce a few reasonable bream and whiting, along with plenty of small dart in between.
Tailor remain spasmodic with around Middle Rock about as consistent as anywhere.
Off the rocks, the odd tailor has shown up with Lighthouse beach and blueface producing a few reasonable fish, while Diamond Head and Crowdy Head have fared a little better.
At present, the bite is brief with a pre-dawn start a must. Pilchards and metal lures have both proven successful.
On the drummer front, there is still the odd fish about although most are in the sub 2 kilogram bracket. Cunjevoi and prawns as usual have been achieving the better results.
Offshore reports have been quite good as far as bottom fishing is concerned, with snapper to around 5kg on offer, whilst pearl perch, pigfish, big flatties and teraglin have featured in most boxes.
Best results on the reds have been achieved by those throwing soft plastics, or anchoring, burlying and using either live bait or pilchards.
On the pelagic front, a few terrific mahi mahi to around 8 kilos have been encountered around the FAD and wider trap buoys, with live slimeys the bait of choice.
Marlin numbers however, have been slow although this can change any time depending upon the currents.
Until next time, tight lines and good fishing to all.