Get ready to spring into spring this Sunday, Father's Day no less.
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What better reason to get out and wet a line with weather conditions tipped to clear up after a bit of a southerly blow on Saturday.
Nelson Bay is starting to warm, according to Paul "Ringo" Lennon, from Fish Port Stephens Estuary Charters.
"Lots of good flatties up the back of the bay up to Karuah," Paul said yesterday.
"Afternoon tides have been fishing the best when the shallow water warms up, especially after a couple of warmer days in a row."
The system is very clear at the moment which is a bit of blessing and curse at the same time.
"The clear water stretches right up the system which is unusual," Paul said.
"There bream are around but the clear water makes them real finnicky.
"Light leaders are really important in conditions like that.
"You need to go down to 4lb and throw small 2-3 inch soft plastics or small hard bodies."
Water is still pretty cold inside the bay, hovering around that 15-16 degree mark.
"But that should jump up as we move into spring and you'll see mulloway and flathead really come on the bite."
Off the rocks anglers are still getting good drummer, from Fingal through to Rocky Point.
"Bit of a mix there, with some nice bream in the wash as well," Paul said.
"We've seen a few squid around in the sheltered bays too. Some monsters - with 35cm hoods on them - real crackers."
These green-eye squid make great bait and good eating too.
"I like to leave them in milk for a day or two to tenderise if I'm going to eat them," Paul said.
Outside, Edith Breakers has been producing nice snapper.
No monsters, but some consistent fish up to 6kg.
"Same with the deeper reefs around Broughton and the V, which have also been holding trag," Paul said.
"I haven't heard much news about tuna, but they should definitely be on the radar this weekend
"Last week the swell was impressive in the way it came up and went down so quick, but it looks more settled this weekend if you're looking for a shot."
Whale watch
Paul was chasing bream up the system around Garden Island, halfway between Soldiers Point and Karuah, this week, when what should he spot but a whale.
"It hung there all day," Paul reported. "I thought he'd be flushed out with the outgoing tide but he was still there later in the day and looked like he was heading upstream.
"Might have thought he was a flathead."
A very big flathead.
Channel jackets
Sean Griffiths, from Fishermans Warehouse at Marks Point reports there's a lot leatherjackets in the channel.
Usually not a headline act when it comes to fishing, but Sean is adamant the pesky leatherjacket remains one of the great underated eating fish, and fair call.
"They're the easiest fish to clean," Sean said. "Just peel off the jacket and cook.
"Patches of salmon still hanging around the channel too. You're a better chance of getting them on the incoming tide."
A few good-sized snapper were caught in the lake this week and the theory is last weekend's big seas might have pushed them in and they've decided to hang around.
"David Sykes got a few this week, along with flathead, bream and tailor," Sean reports.
Following on from last week's news about the artificial reef put in place off Blacksmiths Beach, a few reports have surfaced of kingfish already taking an interest.
Closure over
The annual three-month closed season for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch in NSW waters finishes this Sunday.
The closure period from June 1 to September 1 is designed to protect the native species as they spawn and migrate over late autumn and early winter.
From Fathers Day it's game on again, but a reminder of the bag limit - two Australian bass or estuary perch per person, with a combined total possession limit of four fish per person.
"When fishing in rivers, only one fish is permitted to be over 35 centimetres in length," NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Senior Fisheries Manager Inland, Cameron Westaway said.
"The department enforces the three-month closure annually as during their spawning season, the schools of fish can be vulnerable to fishing.
"Now, in spring, most fish will return to their warmer weather feeding grounds higher up in the catchment."
Information on freshwater fishing rules can be found in the NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide from DPI Fisheries offices, at fishing licence agents and bait and tackle shops, and online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing.