THIS week has brought large southerly swell across the Mid North Coast, making conditions challenging for anglers both on the rocks and offshore.
Thankfully, the forecast is looking much more promising, with conditions expected to ease by the weekend and continue improving into next week.
This should open up some great opportunities to get back out on the water.
The Hastings River has been producing impressive schools of mulloway further upstream, and as conditions settle during Spring, there should be some good opportunities for anglers targeting these fish around the breakwalls and deeper sections of the river.
There have also been reports of mud crabs being caught. With the water beginning to warm and we head towards summer, we can expect the crabbing to continue improving.
On the beaches, bream are being caught from protected corners, with anglers fishing the evening high tide having the best results.
Along with bream, schools of mulloway have also been encountered, providing an exciting bonus for beach anglers. Offshore, game fishing anglers have been putting in the hard yards chasing pelagic species. Striped marlin have been a little quiet recently, but as we move further into September and conditions improve, we should start to see more consistent numbers of fish.
Closer to shore, snapper remain active, although they are requiring a little more effort to find and tempt. Anchoring up and establishing a good berley trail is currently proving the most effective approach.
In Camden Haven, the southerly swell has kept rock fishing relatively subdued this week.
Anglers targeting luderick with cabbage have still managed some decent catches, while the occasional drummer continues to be caught around the washes.
As the swell eases, rock anglers should have a much better opportunity to get out and target these species over the coming week.
Offshore, there remains a healthy population of snapper and pearl perch across many of the local reefs, along with plenty of nannygai and a few kingfish being found in the wider grounds.
With conditions expected to settle, it looks like the coming weekend could provide a welcome return to the water.
As always, check the latest local weather forecast and marine conditions before heading out on the Mid North Coast.
By Kate SHELTON
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