THE Macleay River remains a prime location for flathead enthusiasts, with reports of excellent catches being made throughout the system.
The most successful anglers are primarily using live herring as their bait of choice.
Offshore activity continues to deliver, as kingfish are actively feeding near Fish Rock, Black Rock, and the FAD.
With the seasonal shift to warmer months, there is growing anticipation for the imminent arrival of black marlin further north.
For freshwater anglers, reports last week confirm some great Australian bass were caught in the upper reaches of the Macleay River.
Catch rates in the Camden Haven area have been highly variable.
While a few small tailor have been sighted near the rocks at Bonny Hills, overall success has been limited. Better prospects lie with luderick and bream, which are showing promise, particularly around the Dunbogan and Crowdy headlands.
Offshore, anglers working the local reefs are finding success with a mixed bag of snapper, pearl perch, and assorted reef species.
Further offshore, the Rowlands area is yielding solid kingfish and samsonfish. Boats fishing wider have even reported surface sightings of striped marlin.
In nearby Lake Cathie, the water is warming up, and the whiting are really starting to increase their activity.
The full moon on Wednesday should also produce some good runs of school prawns this weekend.
The Hastings River region is currently showing the most promise and consistency.
A noticeable increase in whiting numbers suggests an excellent season is on the way.
Productive locations include Limeburners, Blackmans Point, and the Maria River, where worms, yabbies, and surface lures have been effective.
Bream fishing remains reliable, with decent catches coming from the northern break wall after sunset.
Flathead are well dispersed and numerous, and lure fishing upstream is yielding consistent results.
Improved numbers of mud crabs are also being found, especially within the deeper upstream holes.
On the beaches, North Shore is the top pick for bream and whiting, while Lighthouse Beach is offering up small tailor and the occasional salmon.
Further upstream, freshwater anglers have been reporting good catches of Australian bass.
Offshore Snapper fishing has been a highlight, with quality fish caught on soft plastics off Lighthouse and Point Plomer.
While mahi mahi provided good sport at the Port Macquarie FAD mid-week, the weekend bite was noticeably slower.
Additionally, deeper reefs off Point Plomer are holding a few kingfish, which are being taken on live bait and jigs.
Over the long weekend local gamefishing anglers reported another great few days of striped marlin activity with many catching their first marlin.
By Kate SHELTON
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