Golden Lures and coastal catches: celebrating 42 years of tournament fishing

CELEBRATING its 42nd year, the Garmin Golden Lure Tournament is back with an exciting line-up for competing anglers.

Weather permitting, it promises to be a fantastic event for everyone involved.

Spectators are encouraged to head down to the Hastings River waterfront this Saturday morning at 7:45am to witness the traditional sail-past as the fleet heads out to sea.

Based at the Port Macquarie Marina, the tournament also invites the public to visit the weigh station each afternoon to see the day’s catch.

Meanwhile, the Camden Haven region continues to be a standout for variety, offering excellent options across its beaches, estuaries, and offshore reefs.

Beach anglers have been enjoying a steady run of tailor, primarily using small metal lures, with salmon occasionally joining the mix.

For those sticking to the estuaries, Dunbogan and North Haven are producing consistent numbers of bream and whiting, while Lake Cathie remains the premier local hotspot for anyone chasing the elusive mulloway.

Offshore, snapper numbers are holding strong across most reefs.

While many plate-sized fish are being landed, some larger specimens have been caught on the reefs off Lake Cathie. Success has been split between those using soft plastics and those sticking to traditional anchoring and burley techniques.

Anglers venturing further into the deep have also encountered mahi mahi and the occasional striped marlin.

In the Port Macquarie area, rock fishing for bream remains a highlight, particularly along the stretch from the Lighthouse to Point Plomer.

Local spots like Rocky’s and Miners have been especially productive.

While prawns and mullet strips are the most popular baits, worms and pipis have also been effective.

Tailor activity has been a bit more sporadic lately, though some quality fish are still being caught.

Mulloway enthusiasts are finding success around the Lighthouse and Miners using a combination of bait and lures. Offshore conditions were ideal this week for exploring inshore reefs, with the game fishing scene highlighted by black marlin and mackerel catches from South West Rocks down to Plomer Bay.

Unfortunately, the forecast is expected to take a turn for the worse this week.

Once the weather settles, however, there is high hope that more pelagic species will begin to move further south.

By Kate SHELTON