The weather as always will be worth keeping an eye on, but NGFC club secretary is confident the event will go ahead.

"We're definitely green light, although Saturday will probably be what we describe as 'sporty' and Sunday a big bumpy," he said.

"It's hard to say with certainty what this front will do but winds are tipped to peak at moment at around 20 knots from south, and the swell is at about 2.4m on the Saturday and falling off after that. There may be a bit of rain but that's fishing.

"At the end of day there is over $85k in cash and prizes, plus lucky boat and sked draws throughout the weekend.

"Pretty much everyone walks away with something and it will be great social weekend for sure."

Organisers are looking at over 50 boats competing, with many keeping their eye on conditions before committing.

Conditions out wide are reasonably good, according to Craig "Righto" Wrightson, who ventured out last Sunday.

"We found water up to 25 and 26 degrees," he said.

"It was a bit bumpy and our plan was to find the Swansea FAD and fish for dollies. When we got there the FAD was nowhere to be seen. Don't know if it's been damaged, or down for maintenance

"We eventually found this white marker buoy which I'm guessing is where the FAD should or used to have been.

"We trolled a lure without too many high hopes and bang, we hooked up this 15kg [estimation] mahi mahi. My son-in-law did the honours on the reel, shortly after a bit of an up and under from sea sickness. We reckon he berleyed it up real nice. It was the catch of the day for sure and after being filleted fed eight families for dinner."

Further south of Swansea a number of boats reported marlin catches last weekend so hopefully it augers well for those contesting the East Coast Classic this weekend.

Normally this tournament marks the end of the local gamefishing tournament calendar.

But this year, the Big Fish Bonanza, hosted by Lake Macquarie Game Fishing Club, will be run on March 28-29.

It was postponed due to rough weather in February.

Hunter anglers are girding their gear for the annual Twin Rivers Fishing Tournament, running March 20-22.

The event, hosted by the Junction Inn Fishing Club, is contested across two rivers, from the weir on the Williams River and from the Junction of the Paterson and Hunter Rivers down to the breakwalls in Newcastle Harbour.

Each year it draws solid numbers attracted to the prospect of great fishing and even greater cash and prize giveaways.

"We're expected in and around 140 anglers," event spokesperson Peter Hughes said.

Fishing starts Friday 4pm on March 20 and we have a weigh-in 2pm Sunday at our home base, the Junction Inn Hotel, at Raymond Terrace there on the river.

"There will be a free sausage sizzle for all competitors and the chance of winning a raft to prizes, including a $2000 lucky door prize."

It's the 18^th year the event has run, which is a great record for any fishing tournament.

"It's very popular and we're finding new sponsors coming on board each year which is always really encouraging," Peter said.

"Stuart Balcombe from Tackle Power Sandgate and the people from the Junction Inn Hotel are very supportive with donations and prizes, and we have over a dozen other secondary sponsors. We fish across a range of divisions and have various prizes for species and mixed species bags.

"The weigh-in aftenoon is always a great social afternoon with the spectacle of the fish, and the chance to win a prize or two and just generally kick back."

The recent rains will sure to push fishing down river.

"It might be a bit too muddy upriver at this stage," Peter said.

"I'd expect things to concentrate down the Hunter River mouth, with no shortage of bream and mulloway on the chew."

Every year a certain percentage of proceeds go towards a worthy cause.

This year that cause will be bushfire relief.

"Normally we donate to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter but in light of what happened with the fires we want to try and help out there this year," Peter said.

"In the past we have donated to other groups like Motor Neurone Disease, Vietnam Vets and Marine Rescue Port Stephens.

"This year it's bushfire relief and we'll be having a raffle on the Friday and Sunday at the pub for that cause."

Entries are open until 7pm Friday, March 20.

Cost is $25 adults and $10 juniors and nippers.

For further inquiries call Peter on 0432 488 447 or Rod Sullivan 0409 871 736.