THE Lake Cathie Fishing Club’s annual fish auction was a resounding success this past weekend, showcasing the incredible generosity and community spirit within our local angling scene.
It was truly inspiring to see everyone come together for such a worthy cause.
In the Macleay region the river is producing good sized bream off the breakwalls, with the occasional flathead. Offshore local anglers have been targeting the deeper reefs off South West Rocks have enjoyed success catching blue-eye trevalla and kingfish.
In the Hastings this week anglers are currently enjoying a fantastic luderick bite, with reports of some impressive catches exceeding a kilo just last weekend.
The breakwalls and coal wall are proving to be prime locations for these tasty fish.
For those targeting mulloway, there are still some solid specimens lurking around the breakwalls, with a few around fifteen to twenty kilos caught last weekend.
If you’re heading to the beaches, Oxley Beach and Lighthouse Beach are the spots to hit this week for a chance at some delicious bream and tailor.
While pipis are a reliable bait, don’t hesitate to experiment with lures. Rock fishing enthusiasts are also finding success with drummer and tailor, particularly around Oxley and Miners Beaches.
Offshore, the deeper reefs are yielding some great-sized kingfish, with live bait proving most effective.
You might also encounter a few teraglin and pearl perch in the same vicinity.
Closer to shore, our winter snapper season is in full swing, with terrific reds being caught on both plastics and baits.
Venturing south to the Camden Haven, anglers are experiencing consistent tailor action on the beaches, with those around Lake Cathie and Dunbogan being particularly productive, especially during evening sessions.
For rock fishing, try the southern rock ledges around Perpendicular Point and Diamond Head for drummer, tailor, and school mulloway.
Offshore from the Camden Haven, the snapper fishing season continues to impress.
Soft plastics are proving irresistible to trophy fish, though bait anglers are also hauling in plenty of plate-sized snapper.
Kingfish, pearl perch, and a variety of mixed reef species are also likely additions to your esky.
With the forecast predicting some fantastic and much-anticipated winter weather, it’s the perfect time to get out on the water and enjoy the beautiful local waterways.
By Kate SHELTON
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