A full moon, big tides perfectly timed and little to no wind will greet the new year creating great early morning and late afternoon opportunites along coastal estuaries, according to Paul "Ringo" Lennon, from Fish Port Stephens Estuary Charters.

"Put on a raincoat and get into it," Paul advised.

"I love fishing on New Year's day. It's the one day of year it takes people a bit longer to get out on the water.

"The rest of the world is sleeping off the New Year parties.

"Big tides will make it perfect for hunting round the shallows, mangroves and openings to feeder creeks in the local estuaries.

"Same on the beaches, it's will be the perfect time to fish those first couple of hours after dark in search of mulloway, and their won't be too much swell."

Ringo reports water have warmed up inside the bay, with lots of whiting and flathead about.

"The trick is to get out early - 5am first light - to avoid the general holiday jetski and boat actiivity," he said.

Ringo reports good bream and whiting on the surface and plenty of flathead throughout the shallows from Soldiers Point right up to North Arm Cove.

"I wouldn't bother venturing too far up the river though - the water is too warm - upwards of 30 degrees at times," he said.

"Most fish will evacuate those type of conditions and head down to the mouth of the estuaries.

"Flaties move to the entrance to spawn this time of year too."

There's been plenty of good whiting caught on ocean beaches from Samurai down to Stockton.

"Live worms on the high tide changes is the key to catching beach whiting," Ringo said.

Anglers venturing outside have been getting reasonable reds from Boat Harbour up to Seal Rocks fishing plastics in water up to 30 metres deep.

"Again, those low-light periods are the key," Ringo said. "Early morning and late afternoon.

"There's been a few dolphin fish on the FAD.

"Nothing too big but it won't be too long before we start seeing better ones move in.

"Given the strong bite we've already had this year, it's definitely worth a shot out on the shelf for a marlin.

"The last few years we've also seen a good early season bite so hopefully people can hook some memorable gamefishing holiday moments."

As for the year that's been, Ringo is looking forward to putting it behind and moving onto a world we're people don't have to be looking over their shoulder with virus concerns.

"It's been pretty average and all the more reason to go for a fish, I reckon," he said.

Although booked out until June, it's always worth giving Fish Port Stephens Estuary Charters a call - you never know, someone might cancel and Ringo will be more the happy to accommodate.

Saturday through to Tuesday looks "glamour" as far as fishing goes, according to Jason "One For" Nunn, from Fishermans Warehouse at Marks Point.

"Light showers, no wind and no swell - mate keen fishos will be lining up," he said.

"It might be a bit inclement for sunbathers, but it will be perfect for fishing.

"Big tides, overcast, reduced recreational traffic on the water as a result of the rain, lots of bait and fish about - mate, that's primo news for any angler.

"The water temp on the beach is great, water is acqua, 21 degrees, visibility up to 15 metres.

"Out on The Farm, we've seen a lot of marlin and dolphin fish, multiple hook-ups.

"These sou-easterlies have pushed the water in with lots of bait in and around the 60-fathom mark.

"There's been a lot of activity."

This news comes on top of reports of black marlin being caught in numbers off Port Macquarie.

"A couple of boys from the shop are up at South West Rocks at the moment and have been getting blacks too," Jason said.

"I know there have been a few caught at the Gibber this week too."

Further in close to shore there have been good catches of bonito off Newcastle and Swansea, some very nice catches of snapper and we've seen some some trag.

Beaches have been producing salmon, tailor, bream, whiting and even a few dart.

"Inside Lake Macquarie we're seeing a lot of whiting in the system, outstanding bream and flathead in good numbers," Jason said.

"Remember to release the big breeding females if you catch them - anything over 80cm.

"They will spawn from now through to mid-February.

"Mulloway and kings have been about throughout the lake too and a good numbers of blue swimmer crabs about although not many people seem to be chasing them."