A strong nor-westerly is forecast Friday into Saturday negating any swell, which is tipped to pick up Sunday.

Combined with an ideal 3pm high tide on Saturday, beaches will have the wind at the back, while rock platforms up against the cliff walls from Tomaree down to Catherine Hill Bay and beyond will offer welcome cover.

"There has been a lot of activity along the coast this week too," Jason 'One For' Nunn, from Fisherman's Warehouse at Marks Point said, on Thursday.

"Bream, tailor, flathead and salmon along the beaches."

Ten-year-old Liam Yakick, of Minmi, caught some crackers with his dad working Blacksmiths Beach.

"Off the rocks they're getting drummer, luderick and bream," Jason said.

"Conditions this weekend will open this up and in those more sheltered spots, you might even get groper.

"Always a bonus catch if you're fishing for drummer."

Jason reports there has been some class drummer coming off the rocks this week.

"Fish up to 3kg," he said. "I've always found those 45cm-55cm fish the best eating, and prefer to let the bigger ones go."

If it gets too windy on Saturday fishing the beaches and rocks, Jason suggests chasing salmon in Swansea Channel.

"They're moving into Salts Bay in around Lucy's Breakwall early morning in big numbers at the moment," he said.

"You will get protection in there if it gets too blustery."

Jason's other tip this weekend is for inshore snapper fishing.

"Newcastle down to Wybung offers good protection due to the height of cliffs.

"Catho, Caves, Dudley, Newcastle, Redhead - there's some great platforms all along this stretch.

"With the swell down, afternoon fishing will be really good tight up against the rocks if you put the time in.

"Berley up with light floating baits and you might be rewarded.

"Best of course to consult the weatherman to see if conditions are favourable.

"Unlike last weekend, it looks like we're going to be able to salvage something."

Fish of the Week winner Drew Woods got into the snapper this week off Newcastle.

Fishing a couple of kilometres out, Drew pulled in six decent reds before boating his 5kg prize winner.

"I think it was around 5kg because it went 4.2kg cleaned," Drew said.

"It was a bit of a shock. I got about six in an hour and then that monster.

"Right place, right time and right tide just using bait. As soon as I got there it was on.

"I got out at 8.30am and was back by 10.30am."

Plenty of tailor moving throughout Lake Macquarie, from Pulbah to Fishing Point, Valentine up to Toronto.

"A good spread of fsh," Jason said. "The western side of the Lake - Wangi, Rathmines, Toronto and Myuna Bay - will offer anglers protection from the wind as opposed to getting buffeted."

There were whispers this week of yellowfin out wide but nothing concrete.

"There were a couple of striped marlin nabbed north of Port Stephens this week too," Jason added.

"Just goes to show the Shelf is still producing if you can get out there.

"The trick is being able to drop everything and go when the window opens.

"That's not always going to be on the weekends."

Turbulent wind and rain were not enough to put off the brave souls of Charlestown Anglers Fishing Club, which held its first outing of the new season last weekend.

Brad Morton emerged supreme with his six species and three bonus species, ahead of second-placed Mark Redman.

Bastain Kelleher and Bronte Hayes took junior boys and girls honours respectively.

"Weather was not the best for our first outing with lots of rain and Saturday blowing pretty hard but members still managed to have a fish and the weigh-in did not disappoint," club spokesperson Troy Terrill said.

"Species presented included bream, flathead, salmon, luderick, drummer, tailor and squire.

"Brad Morton was the keenest member heading out Friday night and getting a few tailor and a big pike eel.

"He then backed up early Saturday morning with Mr Redman and headed up to Seals to chase a few fish off the rocks."

Poor Mark did not start well after deciding to have a flick from the beach.

"First cast (PING) he snaps his line and his set-up goes flying into the surf," Troy reports.

Eventually they got to the rocks and Brad lost two big drummer before nailing a nice keeper for the weigh in.

Meanwhile Mark's day didn't get any better.

"A wall of water came over the rocks and gave him a nice soaking," Troy said.

"Brad went home with fish and poor Mark went home with a doughnut."

Troy and Chad Kelly bagged out on luderick up at Nelson Bay despite the huge amounts of rain.

Meanwhile Shaun Kelleher and son Bastain did alright chasing tailor in the lake.