For those looking to chase pelagics off the Shelf this weekend, conditions look good.

"The water has definitely got a lot bluer in terms of colour and marlin," Jason said.

"Blue marlin have turned up in numbers over the edge and the Anzac Weekend presents a great opportunity to explore.

"We've got surface water temps of 25 degrees with current running downhill at around 2 knots."

A few anglers ventured out wide out last weekend and were rewarded.

"Shane Simpson got a 149kg blue marline off Port Stephens fishing with his wife and young 9-year-old son," Jason said.

"It was a great family effort with not so many bodies on the boat. It's not often you see all the family out there fishing like that, so congratulations to them.

"Luke Stansfield, fishing on Fifi, got toasted by a blue and lost my favourite lure last Sunday.

"I'm still in therapy as result. I had that lure for five years and seemed to catch fish everytime, but not anymore."

Anglers report there are a lot of dolphin fish out on the current line, towards that 60 fathom mark.

"There on the Shelf, and into areas like The Farm," Jason said.

"Fish round that 80cm mark or better.

"The current is now gouging into the Farm area and moving that bound-up flood water out.

"There is a distinctive current line marked by a lot of debri and that's where you'll find the dollies.

"You just need to be careful when you find that line.

"Ryan Betterson fished the shelf last weekend and had dollies round hiim all day.

"Good fillet size and in peak conditions."

When there's a bit of current about, Jason said it's better to fish on the drift.

"Angler out wider have been being rewarded with perch, kings and snapper on that deeper water," Jason said.

"For those that fished back inside to escape the current, we've seen a few trag on the inshore reefs, a lot of tailor, a few reds and flathead and good catches of cobia.

"This weekend, hopefully fishing conditions will be good and we see a few more cobia caught."

Holiday beach anglers have been kept busy this week with flathead, tailor, bream, salmon and whiting.

"We've seen some nice tailor up and over that 60cm coming of Blacksmiths," Jason said.

'Along with those other species and on the back of this moon we might see some mulloway about this weekend.

"There're been a few mullet about but not running in huge numbers at the moment out of the lake.

"They could be influenced by the flood water.

"But there's been some good numbers of salmon on the breakwater and coming into the channel."

A lot of tailor throughout Lake Macquarie with anglers reporting solid catches from Belmont Bay, to Pulbah Island and off Coal Point.

"Some really nice flathead and a few nice lake reds too," Jason added.

"Allan McBean fished the lake over Easter and got a lot of fish - very good bream, flatties and some very nice squire.

"We've talked about the reds on the beach and in the lake this season and here was more evidence.

"We've also seen some school jew and the odd king lurking about."

Jason's take home message heading into this weekend is that there's a good mix of fishing options on offer, and those who apply themselves will get results.

"April into May is a great time of year to fish," Jason said.

"We've just got to hope the coastal showers aren't too persistence.

"And if you're adventurous get out wide and have a crack at some blue marlin."

Dave from Tackle World Port Stephens echoes Jason's sentiments about it being a great time of year to fish.

"It's just the best," he said.

"Water temps are at that peak of perfection and there's a whole host of species about or in transition including tailor, salmon, snapper, trag, cobia, whiting, flathead and jew."

With Anzac Day this Monday, check out the recent Captain Magazine Video profile with Port Stephens game fishing guru Tim Dean.

Tim provides masterful insights into what he does and discusses his work with Soldier On Australia.

Each year Tim co-ordinates with Soldier On Australia to host veterans for a day of game fishing off Port Stephens.

"We send 'em, and we gotta mend em - and a day out fishing really helps," Tim says. Great viewing.

To view visit https://www.facebook.com/thecaptainmag/videos/400660291505353.