Coming off victory in round one last year, Teralba Lakesiders spokesman Randal Mason was not underestimating the challenge his club faces this year.

"It'll be game on," Randal said outside Newcastle Fishing Co-op on Thursday morning, where he was amassing stockpiles of mullet.

"Charlestown are going to come back hard after we beat them last year. It was a big wake-up for them.

"They've got blokes fishing the whole three days, pulling all-nighters, heading up to Seal Rocks, Broughton Island and Port Stephens.

"But our boys will fish hard too don't you worry about that.

"They've been bagging us all week and I've been reminding Darren Gould (Charlestown Anglers gun) about the hiding I handed him last year.

"He reckons he's only entering this year just to beat me personally.

"And to be honest - he just might because he's going to fish outside.

"But tell you what, if I go two-up, he'll never hear the end of it."

Darren "Daz" Gould, for his part, was not being sucked into any war of words when informed of Randal's immflatory pre-match banter. Not much anyhow.

"Mate, Randal, AKA "The Pensioner", AKA "Poppy", Mason and I are good mates," Daz quipped.

"Last year we gave Lakesiders the win to lead them into a false sense of security.

"They're an old school club with a lot of guys who fish hard and we respect that.

"But we fish hard too, and our guys are fired up to prove a point.

"My advice to Randal is to pack some tissues for the weigh-in."

All this sabre-rattlling sets a State of Origin like stage for what should be a riveting contest.

Conditions over the weekend look favourable, although not without their challenges.

"Friday and Saturday look fairly good, although there's supposed to be a bit of a change blowing in," Randal said.

"Sunday's not so good, with the seas set to rise and a prediction of rain.

"It will be fishable, but lumpy and choppy outside."

Action kicks off 5am today and weigh-in is 3pm Sunday at Teralba Bowling Club.

"We have a limit of four fish per species and a bag limit of 20 fish per angler," Randal said.

"Both Teralba and Lakesiders are mindful of being sustainable fishing clubs, and for that reason and in consultation, we have reduced the bag limit from 25 to 20 fish per angler this year."

Another exciting development is the introduction of a Juniors division this year.

"It's separate to seniors and runs to the same time frame," Randal said.

"Anglers will be competing for the prized individual trophy of Top Gun Junior and Top Gun Senior, while points amassed from the top 10 anglers from each club will decide who takes home the overall team shield.

"Our member Brendan Stobbard is the defending Top Gun."

Anglers are hoping to see some big snapper this weekend, there's talk of cobia and Randal says there might be northern blue fin tuna about.

"I can't reveal where because if I did, I'd have to kill you," Randal said.

"I know in the lake, there's a lot of bream, a fair few school mulloway, flathead, whiting have gone quiet but if you have the right gear you'll get the big ones.

"Trevally are starting to be more frequent and the luderick - well, this time of year is their time to shine."

Every Interclub participant who weighs a fish goes into the draws for over $1000 dollars worth of prizes.

"The Interclub concept tries to cater for everyone, not just the elite fishos," Darren said.

"It gives everyone a chance of winning something.

"The idea is, you have a crack - you get something back in return."

Among those elites turning out for Lakesiders this weekend will be Stobbard, Ian Weimer, Craig Kerr and rising star, young Timmy Gleeson.

Charlestown guns include Chad Kelly, Paul Harvey, Brad Morton, Troy Terrill, Jason Mayer plus a host of new guys.

Charlestown weighmaster Terrill is looking forward to the weekend and is excited about the junior component.

"It motivates and gives the kids something to aspire to," said Troy who's spent the last week of his holidays getting his bait supplies ready.

"I've got me squid, got some some mullet and got some cabbage off the rocks from Dudley this morning and now I'm planning my options.

"Fish for drummer off the rocks for half a day and then be in the boat the rest of the weekend.

"Hopefully by the end of it old man Randal don't have a big smile."