Well winter is now officially behind us once again, and fingers crossed the new season brings not only some great angling throughout the Mid-North Coast, but more importantly a pathway out of our current Covid pandemic and lockdown restrictions.
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In the estuary, flathead remain excellent, as they have pretty well all winter. Lures of most profiles continue to prove the premier method of attack, however drifting with lightly weighted whitebait has also seen good results.
Bream numbers are reasonable and there are still some solid fish amongst them. Best reports have come from around Hibbard and Limeburners, with mullet gut, strips and of course yabbies all working well.
On the blackfish front, there are still a few reasonable fish about, with the breakwalls and Limeburners both worth a throw on weed, cabbage or flies.
A few nice whiting are also on offer, with Lake Cathie starting to again fish well after a quiet few weeks. Live prawns after dark has been a winning combination.
On the beaches, bream remain reasonably consistent along with the odd whiting. North Beach and around Lake Cathie are worth a look. Pipis and beach worms have both seen good results.
A few school mulloway and salmon have also been taken from the same locations on worms and lures respectively.
Tailor have been a little quiet although the odd few have been taken in early mornings from the Camden Haven area.
Off the rocks, there are still a few drummer around for those willing to put in the time. Best reports have been from Point Perpendicular and Miners, with cunjevoi the bait of choice. The key as always is to be prepared to be mobile, look for the more washed-out ledges or gutters, and of course burlying heavily.
Tailor numbers remain reasonable with the odd nice greenback about, with the better reports unfortunately from just north of our LGA.
Plenty of groper are around for those willing to toss in a crab on the appropriate tackle. Get a decent foot hold and hang on.
Offshore, snapper numbers remain fantastic. Many rate August, September or early October as the best time of year for snapper, and I certainly don't disagree.
Pretty well all forms of angling have seen good results on the reds, but without a doubt, lures seem to be the premier method, particularly when it comes to quality. Best results of late have come from the close-in reefs off Port and Lighthouse on plastics, micro jigs and sinking stickbaits.
Naturally enough given the current Covid restrictions which preclude travelling further than 3 nautical miles offshore, no reports have come in from the wider grounds, although rumour has it leather jackets are still around in big numbers.