Spring has sprung and Father's Day this Sunday looks like being the first casualty in what is a traditionally a transitional time for the seasons.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After warm and balmy conditions this week, we saw a nor-easter blow in hard on Thursday, a typical indicator that we're moving out of winter and into spring.
But just when you thought it might be safe to put away the woolies on Saturday, come Sunday - Father's Day - the mercury will drop, nor-west winds will blow and there'll be a bit of rain.
"Not ideal for a Father's Day fish, but you make do in these pandemic times," Jason "One For" Nunn, from Fishermans Warehouse at Marks Point, said.
"It won't be exactly easy going shopping for a Father's Day gift, let alone visiting anyone. Still there's a few nice reds poking around inshore reefs. An early-morning assault by a Fisherman's Warehouse customer this week resulted in 10 fish up to 3.5kg, caught in short time.
"Grant Slender got three reds and a morwong on Wednesday. His dady threw a 4.5kg fish back because they already had enough in the box.
"The boys reported there was lot of yellowtail schooling up to spawn."
Even though we're all currently restricted to our various LGAs and have to work within those parameters, Jason observed that it's been quite a good year for winter snapper/squire.
"Maybe it's a reflection that more people are fishing due to not working, and so we're hearing about more catches, who knows," he said. "But it's been a great thing."
Salmon fest
Speaking of working within your LGA parameters, there have been some nice flathead caught out on the Swansea gravel beds.
Meanwhile, the salmon in Salts Bay on Wednesday were unbelievable, according to Jason.
"Crash tackling bait on the run-in tide. No doubt there will be big schools along the coast this weekend.
"This presents the opporutunity to have a lure or fly cast. You'll find other fish mixed in with them - kingfish, trevally and tailor. Predominantly you'll catch 10 salmon to one of any other. But again, what are you going to do? There's only so many times you can walk around the block."
Weed issues
Luderick catches have been up and down this week and the main problem has been lack of green weed.
"The big seas we had recently have ripped the cabbage off the ocean rocks and because you have to stay in your LGA, it makes it difficult to get," Jason said.
"Still the numbers of luderick about are still pretty good and will remain so until around the end of September."
Moon gazing
Lake Macquarie anglers are catching a few jew, and the next run into the full moon will be a peak period to chase mulloway.
"There's lots of tailor in the southern end of lake, round Pulbah Island, ranging from 30cm up to 45cm," Jason said.
"Over the next week or so prior to that moon those fish will merge and move to leave the lake. If you can locate the right school for a crack, you will do well. Trolling for tailor will produces lots of jew and flathead. There's still the odd salmon in the lake, but nothing too alarming."
Prawn sightings
Whiting are starting to appear in estuary shallows and as the month progresses that should increase.
"There's quite a few prawns along the lake foreshore this week too," said Jason, who likes to go for a walk along the water of an evening with his torch.
"I hadn't been seeing many prawns on my walks until this week.
"We had a pretty dry August really, apart from that rain last week, and now there's a lot of greasy backs popping out of the weed and sand.
"I reckon that's a good sign for October - we may see an early prawn run.
"The October prawn run can be a bit inconsistent - some years we get one, some years we don't.
"But running off that, as the prawns increase, it will be a trigger for the bream and whiting to build up in the shallows."
Current affair
We've seen a sprinkling of tailor and salmon along the beaches, and again, slowly, a build-up of bream, whiting and flathead.
"Also a few whalers coming off the beach this wee," Jason said.
"Water is cool but the charts are encouraging.
"The Eastern Australian Current out wide is running a near consistent 22 degrees at the moment.
"Along with this nor-easter, that's another typical indication that spring has certainly sprung.
"Hopefully soon we'll be able to get outside and take advantage of it."
Book it in
If you're looking for a Father's Day gift, have a peak at the book Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue have released.
Providing comprehensive info about beautiful Lake Macquarie and its adjacent coastline, this book would be the ultimate reference guide for dad or any fisho/mariner.
All proceeds raised from the sale of this book will help fund Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie operations.
For more information and how you can purchase a copy visit www.lakemacquariebook.com.au.