"But let's call it an orgy of fish," he said.

"All due to water temps - 25.5 degrees on the Farm, flying fish, marlin, dolphin fish and bait everywhere.

"Twenty-three degrees on the beach - unbelievable.

"The water has finally made it in to us and it's cobalt blue and looking pretty good.

"Mick Zontos got a blue marlin 120kg on the shelf last Sunday which is another indicator how good things are.

"There's lots of bait everywhere and reports of black marlin being caught from as far north as Port Macquarie, Crowdy Head, South West Rocks, Port Stephens, all the way down past Sydney.

"Over the next couple of months I'd expect those numbers to increase."

Inshore waters are fishing well for snapper, jew, trag and bonito.

"Alex Schmaler-Loomes bagged out on reds up off Port during the week," Jason said.

"Duncan Manus fished the Farm early this week and got nice snapper in deep water.

"He said there was oodles of mahi mahi and the water was an incredible colour."

Lake Macquarie is in the midst of the January prawn run and squid numbers continue to build.

"Plenty of kings, jew, flathead and whiting being caught," Jason said.

"It is looming as an Australia Day fishfest.

"We've even seen a few tailor coming off Blacksmiths Breakwall and off the beach.

"I reckon you could fish from the beach halfway to New Zealand this weekend and expect to catch something."

Gamefishing gun Scotty Thorington, who runs Haven Sportfishing Charters out of Terrigal, agrees that the evidence this week is very encouraging as we head towards the first of the annual Hunter gamefishing tournaments.

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.

"Fish are starting to filter down in the EAC [East Australian Current] with good reports of black marlin being caught inshore this week north of Forster down to Seal Rocks," Scotty said.

"There's a bit of current offshore, which hopefully eases because there's a lot of deep bait there at the moment and once the water slows down we're looking at a pretty good bite this season."

Marlin numbers were down last year and Scotty says that's probably got local anglers playing the waiting game.

"I reckon it's put people off but just this weeks it's got crazy around SW Rocks with multiple hook-ups so the optimism is there.

"Just need to keep an eye on the water and watch it trickle down

"We will definitely see fish this season.

"The worst threat is big nor-east winds which roll cold water from the bottom to the surface.

"Periods of southerly weather push the warm water in from the shelf which is blue and full of life and drives the marlin season.

"A lot of anglers will have their eye on the Garmin Shootout this year and in particular the $200,000 on offer for a marlin over 258kg.

"It's unlimited line class but there is a of luck and skill involved.

"A lot of guys will be heading to that tournament and it seems the big money type tournaments are the way our sport is going.

"You look at the US where tournaments have multimillion dollar prizes."

Scott Morris, secretary of Newcastle Gamefishing Club, joined a number Newcastle Gamefishing Club boats that recently competed in the Port Macquarie Golden Lure Tournament.

"Three Hunter boats finished in the top ten being Weapon, Yahoo Too and Blackout," said Scott.

"Samantha Morris caught a 17kg mahi mahi and Michelle Evans tagged a striped marlin on Ladies day which were both impressive catches. These water temps will switch the pelagics on.

"Hopefully we'll see marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo, short billed spearfish and maybe a sailfish thrown in as the NGFC Classic gets going March 7-8."

The annual Bulahdelah Bass Bash is on next weekend, February 8-9 with prizes on offer for the biggest bass and eels.

Pleasantries kick off with the Bass Bash Ball on Friday night before fishing kicks off from Saturday 5.30am and runs to 11am Sunday.

Cost is $12 per adult and $5 per child and includes a hot roast roll for lunch at the presentation on Sunday.

For more info contact Darren Carroll on 0419 996 930.