Kai Axisa from Fisherman's Warehouse at Marks Point reports the amount of bait in Lake Macquarie at the moment is incredible.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He and mate Josh Brewer were on the water midweek and marked big schools attracting lots of predators out in the middle.
"Josh ended up getting a 75cm jewie on the drift over near Wangi," Kai said.
"We marked a bit of bait and cast out under it and drifted along and the tactic paid off.
"There's heaps of small tailor and white bait kicking about. The tailor are only chopper size.
"We nearly got a second jew too, but lost it.
"Also a few flatties in the mix. One or two up round that 60cm mark."
Kai reports it was a bit damp but the recent downpours haven't stirred things up too much.
"The weekend is looking OK, a few patchy showers and a bit of nor-east wind swinging to the south through Saturday and Sunday," he said.
"Should be all right for a fish.
"We'll also have a bit of a full moon over the weekend which might explain why we've seen some funny tides this week.
"It's been taking a big time to change tides in the channel and maybe that could tie in with the moon phase."
Kai reports that the salmon, so thick in the channel in recent weeks, have moved out now and are more likely to be found along the beaches.
Same with the kingfish which were so active in the channel for the last couple of weeks around Swansea bridge.
"There's still the odd one in the lake but they seem to have tapered off in the channel," Kai said.
"Not sure why, maybe something to do with the rain again. Could have pushed the water temp up.
"Temp in the lake at the moment is ranging up round the 20-degree mark.
"That could explain the odd squire we're seeing inside too. Probably more to do with the amount of bait though. Incredible.
"To find the bait, you just need to mark the bird activity - they will be underneath the birds.
"It was awesome seeing my mate land that jew and we hope to repeat the feat soon.
"He said it had been a long time coming and it's always good when the hard work pays off."
There have been some nice whiting starting to show up along local beaches, along with bream.
Conditions this week have been pretty rough along the coast but there have been snapper and trag coming off inshore reefs, sand flathead on the gravel patches and even word of yellowfin still out wide.
"It's been an exceptional run of fin this year and to be still going on this far into the year is amazing," Kai said.
"Now we're going to see the warmer types of pelagic species starting to come on again too, so it's been crazy that way."
Back on deck
It's been a tough year for fishing clubs dealing with all the restrictions imposed by Covid.
But slowly and surely they're emerging from pandemic hibernation and Edgeworth Tavern Fishing Club is a prime example.
This organisation is 40 years young but has had to keep a low profile during Coronavirus.
That said, 27 members were itching out of their skin to get up to Harrington last weekend for the club's first official outing in many months.
"They were all that keen to fish," club spokesperson Gary Daniels said.
"We been down for so long and although a lot of us have fished individually, no-one's fished comp.
"So it was good to get up to Harrington and we got an excellent turnout and results."
Ken Mitchell won the Bluewater division and his son Lee got the biggest bluewater fish, a 2.7kg snapper.
John Cousins took out Beach, Rock and Estuary, bag and best fish, with a nice half-kilo bream.
Jacob Sailard saluted in Juniors with best bag and fish.
The club has a long and proud history, starting up way back on Mothers Day 1981.
Gary should know because he was there that day. Not with his mum mind you.
"We do four away trips each year, two weigh-ins while we're away, at Harrington and Lake St Clair.
"The lake trip and beach trip we come back to the Edgeworth Tavern and weigh.
"We fish every second week and the next outing is on November 4, 5, and 6. All events are open fishing, meaning you can fish wherever.
"We're always keen for new members."
For more information give Gary a ring on 0402 498 800.
Fish of the Week
For your chance to win the $45 Fish of the Week prize, courtesy of Tackle Power Sandgate, and the glory of being in the paper, email your pics to fishing@newcastleherald.com.au with catch and contact details.