Winter kicked in with a vengeance on Monday and the wicked westerly winds blew many anglers off the water.

But for those hardy souls who've braved the wind and chill, there have been opportunities.

Joel Fahy caught an 1180mm fishing at night on a live squid through the week. His first jew fish ever.

In Newcastle Harbour, small school jew are responding to Samaki Vibelicious lures and Fishtraps (by Zerek), according to Geoff "Kanga" Ruse, from Freddy's Fishing World at Broadmeadow.

"Plenty of good tailor being caught in the lake despite the wind too," Kanga added.

"Todd Myles 'of Smiles', who manages our Rutherford Shop, was not put off by the wind this week.

"Noticing it would be too tough in a boat, he went land-based, casting with the wind, and reaped rewards.

"He got some real good 60cm-plus tailor."

Plenty of good bream all over the lake at the moment too,.according to the guys at Fishermans Warehouse at Marks Point.

"Big healthy fish," they said.

Kanga concurs. His mate Bryant pulled a photographically confirmed 49cm monster out of Newcastle Harbour last weekend.

"He's been doing really well with the bream, registering multiple fish in the 40cm range," Kanga said.

"Meanwhile, I've heard snapper are biting well up around the Port Stephens region, still a few bonito about and a healthy supply of flathead in all estuaries, particularly the lake."

"They're starting to move into those deeper holes," a spokesperson from Fishermans Warehouse added.

People are reminded to keep an eye out for the larger tagged flathead in Lake Macquarie - those over 70cm.

The tagging is part of the Trophy Flathead Fishery program being conducted by DPI to gather data on the species.

If you hook a big lizard and it has a pink tag on it, be sure to record the length, tag number and where you caught it, and relay that info back to DPI or your local tackle shop.

With the weather a bit average it's a good time to talk gear, and two things exciting Geoff Kanga Ruse are the Gekka rods and Certate reels, both by Daiwa.

"The rods are super lightweight and tough, made from one of Daiwa's highest grade graphites with Fuji K alconite guides," Kanga said.

"Cosmetically they look sick - candle apple red and gold - and they're great for throwing lures and soft plastics.

"The Daiwa Certate reels are a monocoque design, lighter than previous models, but the gearbox is twice the size and twice as strong.

"It means that you have a reel that is going to last longer, can handle more load and also gives more leverage under load."

Following on from last week's news about Operation Small Fry and the statewide crackdown on the keeping of undersize fish comes this warning from DPI - SOIG is watching you.

SOIG stands for "Statewide Operation and Investigations" Unit, an elite DPI team which has conducted a series of covert and over operations across NSW this year.

Ten people have been apprehended so far and face some serious consequences.

One sting involved the Hunter Region where two men from Newcastle were found illegally possessing 13 Eastern Rock Lobsters, three of which were prohibited size near Port Stephens.

According to a DPI spokesperson, SOIG officers observed a man leave a boat with the lobsters in an attempt to evade detection.

The man was apprehended with the lobsters and the skipper was later detained at a boat ramp.

Each man faces a maximum penalty of $44,000 each.

Similar offences were recorded on the North Coast, Illawarra and Merimbula and stand as a warning to anglers about the perils of illegal fishing.

NSW DPI Fisheries Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully, said the SOIG teams are working with local fisheries officers using a wide variety of sophisticated investigation techniques and those flouting the rules should be concerned.

"We have a range of surveillance technologies available to us and we're employing them across the state," Mr Tully said.

"The vast majority of fishers do the right thing but unfortunately there is a small minority that does the illegal fishing and those responsible need to think about whether they're being watched by our fisheries officers."

If you suspect illegal fishing activity you can report it to the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 or via FishSmart NSW app (available from the App Store or Google Play).

People can also report online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/compliance.