For the first time competitors in the time-honoured NSW Game Fishing Association state titles have the option of fishing out of their home port instead of making the journey to Nelson Bay.

It's going to change the vibe somewhat, according to NSW Game Fishing Association president Gary Chenoworth, but these are the times we live in.

"Events like these are 12 months in the planning, and there are public health issues that can't be ignored, so we adapt to keep things rolling," Gary said yesterday.

"Competitors have the option to fish out of their home port, and some are, but by the same token, many have travelled to Port Stephens this weekend, because that's where the fish are.

"We have are over 200 boats entered, and I understand 120 of them are fishing out of the Bay which is pretty good really, under the circumstances.

"It's tough on the local economy that there might be a drop-off in visitation but then again, it could have been much worse, and hopefully next year, things are back to normal."

Regardless of where you fish, the weather is looking better up and down the east coast this weekend.

It's something Brent "Hammer" Hancock, from Newcastle-Port Stephens Game Fishing Club (NPSGFC) knows well, having taken out Champion Boat Tag and Release at last weekend's Garmin d'Albora Classic, fished out of Port Stephens.

"It was a great tournament and not just because I won it," said Brent, who fish aboard his boat True Grit.

"Sometimes you get lucky, but it was a real nail-biter.

"Any of 10 boats could have won it come Sunday arvo, but I got one with an hour to go and that was the clincher."

Brent and his team tagged eight marlin to finish ahead of Hoodlum (skipper Robbie Dancket, owner Paul Lemming) in second and Central Coast boat Haven, skippered by Scotty Thorington, who were separated on seven by countback.

"The fishing was good but really trying conditions - rough and wet - very nautical," Brent said.

"People chased the bite and found fish inshore anywhere from Seal Rocks down to Anna Bay and out wide on the Shelf. Fish ranged from 25kg up to 60kg.

"I reckon conditions will be similar for Interclub, but hopefully we'll be able to get out of the raincoat."

The event was held in lieu of the annual big money Garmin Billfish Shootout, which in a normal year is the pre-cursor to Interclub.

The Shootout, which usually boasts prizemoney well over $250,000, was cancelled due to Covid, but the Garmin d'Albora Classic still offered some handy prizes.

True Grit took home $18,000 for taking out Champion Boat Tag and Release. Steve Cristie on Critakill earned $18k for most meritorious marlin capture for an 87kg stripe, caught on 20lb line. The crew on Rage bagged the same amount for heaviest shark.

Hammer thinks it will be interesting to see what effect being able to fish out of your home port has on Interclub this year.

"It's not a traditional interclub and not only will it effect the vibe, it will effect the playing field," he said.

"There might be a home-port advantage.

"I liken it to State of Origin footy - Queensland typically does better when it plays at Suncorp in Brisbane and NSW gets a lift running onto ANZ Stadium. But I think Port Stephens will hold it's own."

Hammer reports local estuaries are fishing well with some cracking flathead about.

"My mate Mick caught a 97cm flattie this week, even though local waters are a bit dirty from all the rain," he said.

"There's plenty of bonito about, local inshore reefs are holding snapper, the longtail have turned up and there was even a cobia caught this week."

The 2021 Twin Rivers fishing competition will be contested on March 19-21 with over $7000 in prizes on offer. Highlights include a $2000 lucky entrant prize, $2000 worth of lucky draw prizes and $3000 worth of prizes across 16 categories of fishing. Organisers have added bass to the list of eligible catch and release species.

The Wangi RSL Club held their monthly tournament last weekend across Estuary and Deep Sea divisions in trying conditions.

Glen Price saluted in the Men's Estuary category with a mix of bream, flathead, tailor, mulloway (5.2kg) and a kingfish (5.9kg).

Sally Holt took out the Women's Estuary with a similar catch.

Bob Todoric braved the elements to win Men's Deep Sea, while Vicky Courtney saluted in the Women's class. Biggest Fish went to Don Shorter (9kg mulloway).

The club's next event will be held March 19-21, with new members always welcome. For more information, email ian.guy@westnet.com.au.