Fishing: boating warnings and big bream

OVER the past week, the coast has been drenched again – a downpour accompanied by a consistent swell and a welcome hint of Spring’s warmer weather.

The combination of these conditions has been a bit of a mixed bag.

In recent weeks, I’ve noticed a couple of notable boating incidents, from a vessel stranded high and dry on the boat ramp to another taking on water in the river mouth.

These events are a timely and critical reminder for all boaters to perform a thorough check of their safety gear.

Now is the perfect opportunity to service your life jackets, through to conducting essential trailer maintenance, ensuring you are prepared for the next outing.

This week the Camden Haven River region has been a hotspot for local anglers, with reports of some impressive catches.

Dunbogan Beach has been particularly productive, holding a good number of salmon.

However, last weekend proved to be challenging for those venturing offshore, with conditions not ideal for a successful fishing trip.

In the Hastings River, luderick have slowed down a bit in the lower reaches, although the break walls are still worth a shot if you are using green weed or sea cabbage.

On a more positive note, bream fishing has picked up, with Limeburners Creek holding some nice fish.

Both yabbies and mullet gut have been effective baits in this area.

For rock fishing anglers, Point Plomer and Queens have been yielding some quality tailor.

Closer to home, the area below the Lighthouse has also produced a few decent bags of tailor.

Bream fishing has been reasonable from the rocks, with those who get out for the dawn sessions enjoying the best results.

Further north in the Macleay region, the river continues to be a reliable spot for luderick and bream, with good-sized fish being caught off the local wharfs and break walls.

Along the beaches, there is still plenty of bream action, along with the occasional dart.

Tailor have been a bit patchy; it’s worth checking out Gap Beach at first light, as casting metal lures or pilchards has proven to be a successful strategy.

By Kate SHELTON