Weather conditions, particularly on the Saturday, look cool, reasonably dry and calm, according to Jason "One For" Nunn, from Fishermans Warehouse at Marks Point.

"It's going to be a great weekend for a crack," Jason said.

"Beach fishing has been going off. There's some nice gutters holding tailor, salmon and some very well conditioned bream.

"The bream you get off beach are real clean fish, feeding on worms in the sand and shell, and really thick. Great to see the beach fishos benefiting.

"Inside the lake is holding plenty of jew, flathead, tailor and bream."

A few bonito have turned up on inshore reefs, as well as the dreaded barracouta.

Not to be confused with their northern namesakes, barracuda, barracouta are a southern waters species that make their way north this time of year if water temps drop.

"They've breached travel restrictions from down Victoria way and entered the area," Jason said.

"With their big teeth and bones, they're never welcome and their presence reflects how much the water has cooled off."

Snapper don't mind cooler water though and are about in numbers along inshore reefs along with tailor and morwong.

Out in the deeper water there have been reports of leatherjackets in patches on The Farm.

"You just need to be persistent if you get snipped off," Jason said.

"They're not everywhere and if you move on, chances are you'll be able to avoid them.

"Further south they've been getting perch and kingfish."

Congratulations to Leanne Hoff, fishing on Out of the Blue with husband Gary at the wheel, after she landed a 41kg yellowfin tuna last weekend.

It's the first fin to be caught during the 2021 Lake Macquarie Game Fishing Club's annual "Tuna Slam" which runs until the end of August.

"Conditions looked a bit lumpy to say the least last weekend, but you have to get out there and do it and that's what they did," Jason said.

LMGFC introduced Tuna Slam last year in response to the volume of tuna around in what was one of the best yellowfin runs seen in many a season.

"It's an 'in-club' thing and something for members to get their teeth into during the quieter winter months," Jason said.

"We've got a few prizes about for first and second, heaviest tuna, tag and release - that sort of thing.

"The water out there doesn't look special but if you put the time in like the Hoffs did, you get results.

"Only early days, but nice to see a nice fish like that start the ball rolling."

It's come to the attention of many a local in recent months that there's been illegal fishing going on round Swansea Bridge, and last week Fisheries took action.

After notification from a member of the public, Fisheries attended the scene and a visiting boat was caught with 67 tailor in possession.

The bag limit is 10.

"He was observed by the general public catching in excess of his bag limit by a long way," Jason said.

"You'd have to know or suspect you were over the limit with that many fish, and indeed, he was observed in the same area over a number of nights.

"The illegal fishing is very brazen in full public view.

"You can walk out on Swansea bridge and watch them catching them."

On top of the illegal fishing, the boat was anchored, along with four or more others, on the seaward side of the bridge, which is illegal and makes passing hazardous due to the tides.

"You can suspend with an electric motor, but not anchor," Jason said.

"It was lucky for the other boats as well because they risked illegal anchoring fines."

Jason was full of praise for Fisheries, which responded promptly and decisively to a call on the Fisher Watch 1800 number - 1800 043 536.

"Hats off," he said. "With their quick action they were able to get on top of this situation and this is a win win for everyone.

"The public has acted, someone's been caught, Fisheries have talked to the other people and this word of warning will get into the community to those who are continually doing this.

"It's all about public awareness and preparedness to ring and report illegal activity.

"Bag limits are in place for sustainability and the idea that you come up under cover of darkness and run amok - it's got to stop.

"They weren't chopper tailor either. There was some very tidy fish among them

"Over fishing damages fish stocks and people in this day and age who don't recognise that shouldn't really be on the water.

"Ignorance is not an excuse and we need to be proactive to look after things."

The latest Covid outbreak has seen the Sydney Boat Show, due to run at the end of July, cancelled for the second year running which is sad news for anyone planning on popping down for a look.