The catch and release tournament will run 6am Saturday to 1pm Sunday, with all proceeds going to the Leukemia Foundation.

“It's a catch and release with the biggest flathead being submitted by each angler with a picture on a brag mat,” Troy said.

”Its $10 entry fee for over 16 years and free for under 16 years old, with prizes for senior and junior biggest flathead, plus prizes for mystery length senior and junior.

“Presentation will be at Warners Bay Hotel on Sunday 3pm with a sausage sizzle.”

Anyone interested can contact Troy at troyterrill@gmail.com or there are entry forms at Fishermans Warehouse at Mark's Point.

“Registration cut-off is November 1. We’re also holding a Tackle and Flathead talk withJason Nunn from Fishermans Warehouse at Warners Bay Hotel on Tuesday, October 30 from 6pm for anyone who is interested In the comp.

“Charlestown Anglers will be raffling a rod and reel combo, with all proceeds again going to the Leukemia Foundation.”

Troy reports Dan Guifoyle fished the lake last week and caught a cracker bream going 46.5cm on a 100mm Samaki vibe while chasing jew and on another day he also landed a 120cm jew from the lake.

“Chad Kelly and myself headed up Port Stephens two weeks ago as there was big winds and swell, chasing drummer,” Troy added. “We ended up with 11 drummer, all around the 2kg mark, and 8 bream, the biggest going 43cm.

“It was a bit hard carrying fishing gear and 25 kilo of fish over the rocks.

“Young Sam Law got a nice kingfish in the lake going 73cm on a vibe, with his dad, “Boota” Law, filming the action.”

Been some great kingfish kicking around the breakwall at Nelson Bay this week.

Peter Perekovic from Corlette landed a beauty well over 10kg.

“The locals have been trying to keep it to themselves, but they’ve been there for nearly a month now,” according to Brent “Hammer” Hancock, from Tackle World Port Stephens.

“They come and go and they are the type of fish that can drive people crazy.

“Some use lures, some use live baits. We’ve been selling lots of poppers and stick baits.

“Things like your Nomad Madscads and Nomad Chug Norris go good.

“The Madscad is like a cross between a stick and swim bait and kings love them.

“The ‘slimey mackerel’ colour seems to appeal.”

On top of a good lure, anglers will be well advised to arm up with heavy duty line if they’re to be any chance of taming these tanks.

“You’ll need minimum 50lb to 80lb braid and 80lb leaders and even then there will be no guarantees,” Brent said.

“Kings are a ‘50-50’ fish – 50 per cent chance of a hook-up, and 50 per cent chance of landing them.

“I used to chase them when I was a young fella but I’ve given it up because it’s too frustrating.”

Encouraging signs on the snapper front up Port Stephens way – Pacific Blue Charters got an 8kg fish last weekend.

“Hopefully as the full moon passes, we’ll see more fish like that on the chew,” Brent said.

“I don’t know why but it seems harder to get snapper and other reef species so much when we’re on the full moon.”  

Meanwhile, Nelson Bay has been fishing real well for sand whiting, big models up to 38cm. Live tube worms working well.

Still plenty of really nice flatties about too, and Brent reckons big soft plastics are the go.

“The Pro Lure Fishtail in the 130ml has been working really well,” he said.

“There’s one colour called a ‘lime pepper’ and another called ‘golden eye’ which have been very popular on the bigger flathead.”

On the subject of new gear, Brent is a big rap on a hard body lure from Japan called a ‘Flow Shad’ made by a company called Jackson.

“A lot of guys have been trolling those and we just can’t keep enough on the wall which means they’re going all right,” he said.

Recreational Fishing Trust funding applications for amounts up to $10,000 opened this week.

Applications are open to anyone anyone with a great idea to improve recreational fishing in the local area – fishing clubs and organisations, universities, councils, community groups, and individuals.

Joint applications, including those that combine freshwater and saltwater projects, are encouraged.

You can discuss ideas with DPI Fisheries by calling (02) 4916 3835 or by emailing recreational.fishingtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au.