July 15, 2026
Geoff Shelton awarded Marine Rescue Life Membership after nearly four decades of service Greg Davies, Marine Rescue Port Macquarie unit commander, Ray Mazurek ESM Marine Rescue NSW director, and Geoff Shelton.
Fishing

Geoff Shelton awarded Marine Rescue Life Membership after nearly four decades of service

FOR more than 37 years, Geoff Shelton has answered the call when people were in trouble at sea. From searching for missing divers in rough conditions to rescuing stranded fishermen against overwhelming odds, Geoff has spent almost four decades volunteering with Port Macquarie’s marine rescue service, a commitment that has now been recognised with the […]

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Freya’s standout offshore catch from the Mid North Coast
Fishing

Freya’s standout offshore catch from the Mid North Coast

LAST weekend was a true angler’s paradise along the Mid North Coast, with perfect weather drawing large numbers of fishing enthusiasts to the water. Looking ahead, the extended forecast suggests this run of settled winter conditions should continue for at least another week. The Camden Haven area has been a standout for offshore fishing, with […]

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FISHING: Sick of the rain? Head to the riverbanks and breakwalls Water levels in Lake Cathie have jumped up by over 400mm in just two weeks. Photo: PHMC.
Fishing

FISHING: Sick of the rain? Head to the riverbanks and breakwalls

I DON’T know about you, but I am absolutely sick of this rain. The rivers have dirtied right up, the swell has been relentless, and we’ve seen plenty of erosion along the coastline. To give you an idea, water levels in Lake Cathie have jumped up by over 400mm in just two weeks. The Camden […]

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Bream, Blue-eye and Black Marlin: A diverse week on the water Local legend: Indi Garvey celebrated this catch a few weeks ago, landing a black marlin off the Port Macquarie coast. Caught on 15kg line.
Fishing

Bream, Blue-eye and Black Marlin: A diverse week on the water

THE annual sea mullet migration is on the verge of beginning. While large schools are still holding in the river systems and don’t quite seem ready to spawn, the atmosphere on the coast is one of high anticipation. Local commercial fishing families, relying on decades of passed-down knowledge, are already prepping their nets and watching […]

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Inshore sailfish bite as hot water and fast currents push toward the coast Dynamic Duo, Troy Boese and Harriet Crowley celebrate the successful catch and release of a magnificent sailfish over the weekend.
Fishing

Inshore sailfish bite as hot water and fast currents push toward the coast

Dynamic Duo, Troy Boese and Harriet Crowley celebrate the successful catch and release of a magnificent sailfish over the weekend. Local anglers Finn and Thomas with a sailfish landed during the peak of the recent offshore activity. THIS weekend’s forecast is looking supreme, with the moon and tides aligning perfectly for some hot fishing action. […]

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FISHING: Hook, line and Spanish Mackerel
Fishing

FISHING: Hook, line and Spanish Mackerel

IT’S been a busy week across our local waterways, with the best results coming from those sticking to the rivers or finding the warm water offshore. From the Camden Haven up to the Macleay, here is what’s biting. In the Macleay River region, bream populations remain healthy and active. Anglers working lures around rocky ledges […]

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Mid North Coast fishing update
Fishing

Mid North Coast fishing update

IT is a tough week for our local fishing family following the news that Ned Kelly’s Bait n Tackle in Port Macquarie was broken into last weekend. The intruder caused significant damage to the shop fittings and walked away with a fair amount of stock. Bryce has poured incredible time and effort into this business, […]

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FISHING: Shootouts, mackerel, and local legends
Fishing

FISHING: Shootouts, mackerel, and local legends

I SPENT the weekend down at Nelson Bay for the 2026 Garmin Billfish Shootout, and man, what an event. With over 100 boats hitting the water, the atmosphere was unreal and it was easily one of the best tournaments I’ve seen in a while. It was also great to see some of our local Port […]

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FISHING: Lizards, pelagics, and a missing FAD
Fishing

FISHING: Lizards, pelagics, and a missing FAD

IF you’re looking for calmer waters this week, the local wharfs and river mouths are the go-to spots for bream. However, the real standout has been the flathead fishing, it’s been nothing short of exceptional. Local anglers are landing impressive catches near Pelican Island and the Limeburners Creek entrance. For the best results, try using […]

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Fishing: Cobia surge at Plomer Bay as sharks challenge anglers
Fishing

Fishing: Cobia surge at Plomer Bay as sharks challenge anglers

ANGLERS are currently enjoying a productive run in the Hastings River, where bream catches remain consistently high. Prawns and yabbies have been the standout baits while those heading further upstream are finding plenty of flathead eager to strike both surface and diving lures. The crabbing scene is equally active. Pelican Island is producing a run […]

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