IT FEELS like the weather has completely bypassed Spring and launched right into full Summer conditions, and the fishing action is absolutely heating up across the Mid-North Coast.
If these recent stellar, warm conditions hold, we are clearly in for an absolute cracker of a season.
The water temperature is perfect, and the fish are biting.
A true indicator that the big Summer runs are just around the corner.
Port Macquarie game fishing excitement continues; local anglers confirming that mahi mahi have made their highly anticipated early appearance around the Port Macquarie FAD mid-week, suggesting a strong and promising start for mahi mahi action.
Along with reports that striped marlin are still being caught for any anglers looking to catch their first Marlin.
Last weekend saw some genuinely fantastic bottom-bouncing catches off Plomer.
Anglers dropping bait in the 60m to 80m depth range were rewarded with a quality mixed bag, including teraglin, pearl perch, and solid snapper.
Those who ventured further out to the 120m mark for a deep drop session were not left empty-handed, successfully pulling in impressive bar cod and hard-fighting kingfish.
In the Hastings River, the breakwalls remain a reliable favourite, consistently producing good bream with many anglers finding success using prawns.
Further upstream, flathead have been biting well around Settlement Point and Limeburners.
Keep an eye on the canals, too; they have been giving up the occasional hard fighting trevally.
With the new moon fast approaching, serious anglers should focus their efforts on the top of the tide.
This is the prime window for targeting both estuary-dwelling mulloway and those big dusky flatheads looking for an easy meal.
Further south, the rock fishing has been excellent, rewarding persistence.
Both Crowdy Head and Diamond Head have been highly productive spots for bread-and-butter species, with anglers scoring solid drummer and luderick.
The preferred baits of cunjevoi and fresh prawns have been the clear winners here.
Evening anglers targeting the protected points have done well, with spots around Perpendicular Point giving up nice bream and the occasional surprise tailor.
The beach fishing scene is also hitting its stride.
Grants Beach is delivering a steady stream of good bream and the occasional welcome school mulloway.
Bonny Hills has been another good choice for anglers chasing bream and good-sized whiting.
Notably, mulloway activity has become far more consistent this past week, with encouraging reports coming specifically from the stretch of beach at North Haven.
By Kate SHELTON
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