A steep rise in water temp has Port Stephens estuary firing this week, according to Paul "Ringo" Lennon, from Fish Port Stephens Estuary Charters.
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Unfortunately this weekend is not looking all that flash with a southerly dominating the weather map, and wind and showers forecast.
Not unfishable if you're really keen but it could be a bit chilly and blowey.
Water up over 20 degrees throughout the bay has really triggered the flathead on the chew.
"They're really spread out, from the top end of bay to Tilligerry and Allworth," Ringo said.
"Also been a few whiting appear especially upstream of the bay, Jimmys Beach, on high tide with worms fishing the shallows."
There's been the odd jew showing up round the bridges at Karuah - fish up to 90cm.
Still a few luderick along the various breakwalls but they will taper off as the water temps rise.
"They're still catching them on the tide changes," Ringo said.
Lots of squid in weed beds from Jimmys beach, down to Boat Harbour, attacting lots of attention from predators.
"Everythings chasing them offshore," Ringo said.
"There's been lots of kings around Fingal and Little Island.
"A couple of my mates fished around there this weekend for bream and couldn't get through the kings.
"Heaps of fish up to legal size."
Plenty of snapper in close from Broughton Island through to Seal Rocks.
Anglers have been doing well on plastics up around Seals, reporting fish up to 7kg and 8kg.
Rising water temps have sparked up local beaches from Stockton, through to Fingal and up to Hawks Nest all producing good bream and whiting.
"Anglers have been getting great results fishing gutters on high tides using live beach worms," Ringo said.
Weather woes
Jason "One For" Nunn, from Fishermans Warehouse at Marks Point, reckons fishos have been doing it tough with the weather this last week or so, and it's not looking all that crash hot again this weekend, but there are fish around.
"Last week was a bit tough due to the variance on the wind, rain, southerlies, then big nor-easterlies," he said.
"It restricted movement and it could be the same again this weekend.
"It's all looking very onshore which is a shame because there are some nice fish poking around offshore - reds, kings
"Flathead, whiting and bream have been dominating in the estuaries."
Prawn run hope
The great engine of fishing is hope, and with the full moon approaching on October 14, there is the great hope of the first major prawn run ten or so days after to looking forward to.
"The fishing will be triggered by that October prawn run, I'm guess," Jason said.
"It should get going around the 24th and be on for another seven or more days after that."
Meanwhile, Lake anglers report solid numbers of small jew throughout and some nice whiting coming on.
"Not too many big jew - a lot under 70cm," Jason said.
"The whiting have been building over the last couple of weeks and it's a good sign.
"As is the prevalence of squid about.
"My tip this weekend is to fish the shallows in the flats and stay out of the wind or just get yourself ready for the weeks to come and do some maintenance."
Dredge issue
The state of Swansea Channel is a big concern for boat owners as we head into summer and Christmas.
The question of sand dredging is again in the spotlight as boats are getting stuck in the shallows, even at high tide.
Jason reckons he's taken calls this week from Sydney mariners inquiring whether they will be able to get their boats into the lake.
Understandably, its an assurance Jason can't give because at the moment, the amount sand, and the issues of water flow it is creating, is a very serious issue that needs addressing.
Meanwhile, anyone bringing their boat up from Sydney or elsewhere is going to think twice about heading to the lake.
"They've budgeted for 10 more days of dredging for this year, but that's going to do nothing," Jason said.
"They're pumping the sand over onto Elizabeth Island and it's just being washed by the wind, rain and tide back into the channel.
"That's choking the channel and increasing the pace of water flow which in turn exacerbates the erosion issues.
"It is farcical situation because the future of the lake is not being into consideration.
"The sand needs to be removed entirely, not pumped onto the sand islands.
"For that to happen we need correct management, a plan and a committee of concerned stakeholders with some idea to give some directions.
"Unfortunately, resources are thin and I'm not optimistic at this stage."