Mud crabs in the creek, yellowfin success offshore

I SPENT last weekend camping at Hat Head with friends.

The kids had a blast catching mud crabs in the creek, while the dads headed offshore and were rewarded with some great yellowfin tuna action.

I must admit I was a little jealous, but someone had to look after the baby.

Fishing in the Camden Haven region has been a bit of a mixed bag lately.

While there has been some tailor caught around the local headlands, the action has been inconsistent.

Luderick and bream, however, have been more reliable, with both Bonny Hills and Crowdy headlands proving to be productive spots.

Offshore conditions have been typically unpredictable for this time of year, due to unsettled weather and strong currents.

Closer to shore, anglers are still catching nice snapper and a variety of other reef fish.

The Laurieton FAD has produced mahi mahi intermittently and is expected to improve as the warmer currents push further south.

On the game fishing front, a few marlin have been sighted offshore, raising hopes for increased activity as the inshore black marlin season begins further north.

In the Hastings River, bream have been caught around the breakwalls and local wharfs.

The local headlands are also yielding decent bream and tailor, along with excellent catches of drummer and luderick at Queens Head.

The offshore scene saw those who ventured out during the week encounter a variety of reef fish, including snapper and pearl perch. Game fishing enthusiasts who fished past the ridge were rewarded with yellowfin tuna.

Further north in the Macleay region, the fishing scene has been equally promising.

Inshore reefs have been productive for snapper and pearl perch, while mahi mahi have been in deeper waters off South West Rocks and Hat Head.

Kingfish have been spotted around Fish Rock and on the deeper reefs off Crescent Head.

Beach fishing is seeing a surge in bream activity, particularly in the northern areas like Horseshoe Bay, Goolawah Beach, and Big Hill.

Fresh worms, squid, and prawns have proven to be the most effective baits.

In the Macleay River itself, flathead fishing remains excellent, and whiting numbers are starting to show improvement, with some solid fish being landed near Jerseyville.

By Kate SHELTON