As per police guidance, the practice has been permissible so long as social distancing protocols are observed.

And judging by the lack of fines being issued, it would appear people have been doing the right thing, according to Jason "One For" Nunn.

"Last Saturday on Anzac Day, with no marches, a lot of people took the opportunity to take the boat out.

"The weather has been phenomenal and the fishing has nearly matched it.

"I think it's fair to say that during this crisis and the lockdown, people have rediscovered fishing.

"By it's very nature it's socially isolating - down on the beach or out in your boat.

'It's a chance to get outside, exercise, clear the head, put a feed on the table.

"People have been good - doing their thing, respecting space, going out, going home, no milling round.

"The weather has been perfect, 20 degree water, flat seas, westerly winds, and lots of fish.

"But we have to remain cautious.

"We've come so far but we don't want to take the foot off the accelerator and get bit on the arse.

"If we get another wave, the lockdown will be harder.

"People need to remain mindful."

There has been solid reports of kingfish caught wide south of Swansea off Texas Reef and The Farm, but success seems dependent water current, or lack thereof.

"What you catch today you don't catch tomorrow," Jason observed.

"They seem to be working when the current is on.

"Plenty of long fin perch, snapper and trag too.

"When the current picks up we catch fish, and when it slows up fish get a bit doughy

"You don't want a raging current, just a bit to move the bait fish around.

"Its the same thing on the inshore reefs around Dudley and Redhead.

"People have been getting trags, reds, heaps of tailor and the odd bonito when there's current.

"But when there's none, berley drops to the bottom and they don't catch anything.

"You need a bit of breeze and current, but not too much - it's a real Goldilocks thing. it's gotta be just right."

Meanwhile there has been rumours of yellowfin tuna showing up on the shelf and a number of marlin hooked out wide off Port Stephens last weekend.

Troy Terrill, from Charlestown Angling Club, reports some handy catches around the local area.

The club is in hibernation now, as are all fishing clubs what with the ban on social congregations, social distancing, and pubs and bowlos closed, but Troy's remained in touch with a few club mates.

"Mick Gilmour borrowed squid off Darren Gould last week and got four jew in Newcastle Harbour - the smallest 75cm and the biggest 108cm. He was pretty stoked about that.

"John Reeves picked up a Lake Mac kingfish around 92cm.

"Brad Morton and son Jye fished the lake last weekend and got tailor, jew and flathead.

"Jye topped Brad's PB flathead (79cm) with an 82cm lizard. Jye is 11.

"Chad Kelly and Paul Harvey hit the inshore on Saturday off Boat Harbour and ended up with a few reds, mac tuna and bonito

"A bloke off Dudley got a long tail tuna off the rocks last weekend.

"There's been good tailor in the lake and coming off the beaches early morning and late afternoon on metals.

"And a few salmon showing up around Moon Island."

In the absence of any actual club activity, Charlestown Anglers got a nice surprise this week.

A few members contested the Pirtec Challenge back in March and as part of that they nominated their club for a competition.

News filtered in this week that the boys had won a Lowrantz Hook 7 sounder.

"We'll probably raffle it once things get back to normal and the club is up and running again," Troy said.

We're in for a bit of a cool change this weekend, with strong westerly winds.

Jason is tipping we might also see a massive run of mullet.

"It could be the last one of the season. There have been tremendous schools of fish moving up the coast over the last couple of weeks.

"They started early this year but the weather this weekend could be a pivot point.

"We need a couple of cold changes to bring on the better snapper inshore.

"The middle of May is usually a better time for the inshore bite for reds and this cooler weather may trigger that."

With winds tipped to push the 20-knot mark, Jason is advising anglers to take refuge in sheltered locations.

"It's going to be cool, but fishable, nothing that a beanie and a sloppy joe won't fix."