From a fishing perspective, it's not going to change things up too much this weekend.

Showers are predicted and the odd electrical storm, which means you'll have to be a bit careful and patient if you're on the water.

As Jason "One For" Nunn says, don't be a lightning conductor.

"You go waving your graphite fishing wand in an electrical storm, you might just get turned into a magician," Jason said.

"Be a bit sensible when a severe thunderstorm is posted.

"Sometimes conditions can get squally, but don't panic, just remember, rain and wind pass."

Word out wide there is there's the odd pelagic about and signs that things may be about to improve dramatically.

Water on shelf has been a bit crappy and dirty, hovering round the 22-degree mark, and an ugly browny green colour indicative of an upwelling possibly the result of recent nor-easterly winds.

Way over the back round the 300 fathom mark, there's a temperature break with water spiking up to 25 degrees, but again, not a vibrant blue colour, more a steel grey.

The good news is that good water may well be on the way and possibly appearing as early as this weekend.

"There a good contingent of Hunter boats up at Port Macquarie this week fishing the Golden Lure tournament which concludes today, and apparently the water is a beautiful colour," Jason said.

"They've been getting black marlin, striped marlin, blues and dolphin fish, wahu and yellow fin.

"The types of fish caught are a great sign, not only for anyone heading out this weekend, but for the upcoming local gamefishing tournament season."

Many local anglers will be in the process of fine-tuning their boats for the upcoming events.

"The guys on Fifi are heading out this weekend just to have a look and make sure things are in good working order so they can be competitive," Jason said.

Lake Macquarie hosts the Big Fish Bonanza on February 8-9.

Newcastle and Port Stephen GFC host the Garmin Billfish Shootout February 14-16 out of Nelson Bay.

The NSWGFA Interclub State Championships then runs out of Nelson Bay from February 20-23 followed by the East Coast Classic, hosted by Newcastle GFC out of Newcastle on March 7-8.

Jason reports there is a fair bit of current on the Farm this week, which might be a pre-current indicator of this good water to come.

"You don't wants lots of current, just a bit to move things through," he said.

Inshore reefs are holding good numbers of bonito which is another indicator that water is improving.

Beach temperatures have pushed up as high as 21 degrees and in that type of water, expect to see not only bonito, but mulloway and trag.

"Probably not as many snapper as you might expect this week," Jason said.

"Mornings look favourable as far as wind goes, there might be some scuddy showers but the seas are looking pretty predictable."

Lake Macquarie has been on fire all week with plenty of mulloway, flathead, bream and whiting caught.

It could have something to do with the rise in the amount of squid about.

Which could in turn be due to the build-up for the January prawn run, which hopefully kicks off next week and runs into the Australia Day long weekend.

"They have been catching squid comfortably in the normal haunts all week," Jason said. "Everyone's in the channel jigging.

"Normally February to March is a better but each time you get a prawn run they increase.

"The full moon was last Saturday night and the prawn run usually kicks off seven to 10 days after that, so it's looking good for Australia Day.

"This will be your last opportunity for the summer."

A word of warning if you decide to get out in the water with a push scoop, watch out for nasties, like bull routs and blue ring octopus, particularly if you've got the kids. "Areas like Valentine are prone to that sort of thing," Jason said.

"And if you're using a push scoop, make sure it's registered and complies."

Jason has been astounded by the volume of illegal crab traps he's seen this summer.

"In the lake, you can only use witches hats or a drop dilly, which is a thing with two rings that lies flat on the bottom," Jason said.

"Any type of enclosed trap - round, square or rectangular - is totally illegally.

"And remember, what's legal in one waterway is not the same with another and it's up to the individual to make sure they comply.

"The best advice if you're in doubt is to check with fisheries or your local tackle shop."