SPRING’S sweet chapter is wrapping up, and the anticipation for a blockbuster summer fishing season on the Mid North Coast.
Lake Cathie has been a popular spot for anglers.
Flathead have been hitting consistently, especially during the north-easterly winds, with good numbers of whiting and even a few surprise mulloway lurking near the Ocean Drive bridge.
The night-time prawn run has been red-hot, with successful catches of school prawns packing the foreshore, boat ramp, and the perch hole.
The Hastings River continues to be a reliable source for quality flathead and whiting, which are spread throughout the system.
Bigger mulloway are starting to show up, with deep sections during tide changes proving to be the sweet spot, try working larger soft plastics.
Freshwater action has been impressive, with bass numbers surging.
Expect the bass bite to explode as summer heat arrives and insect hatches intensify.
Offshore, the action is promising. Snapper up to five kilograms have been caught near the Port Macquarie Lighthouse using both bait and plastics.
Heading deeper, anglers have pulled up excellent catches of cod, kingfish, and various reef fish.
Marlin catches were reportedly on the quieter side last weekend.
Southbound, Crowdy and Perpendicular Point are producing some epic rock fishing, with large tailor being a standout catch.
School mulloway are active along most headlands, with Dunbogan being a popular choice for those working soft plastics.
Offshore reports include hauls of teraglin and snapper, plus some great local kingfish catches last weekend.
In the Macleay river anglers are landing good numbers of flathead, bream, and even a few kingfish near the river mouth. Beach anglers at Hat Head have been rewarded with bream, dart and flathead.
Further offshore to the north, locals are reporting encouraging catches of snapper and kingfish.
As we head into summer, the Mid North Coast promises truly exceptional fishing.
Whether you’re chasing trophies or just wetting a line, there’s an opportunity waiting for every angler.
Tight lines.
By Kate SHELTON
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