LAST weekend was a true angler’s paradise along the Mid North Coast, with perfect weather drawing large numbers of fishing enthusiasts to the water. Looking ahead, the extended forecast suggests this run of settled winter conditions should continue for at least another week.
The Camden Haven area has been a standout for offshore fishing, with steady reports of quality snapper being landed.
The shallow grounds off Bonny Hills and Lake Cathie have been especially productive.
Soft plastics remain a popular option for targeting these fish, though many anglers are also finding success anchoring up, setting a burley trail, and using lightly weighted pilchards.
For rock fishing this week, drummer are still around but proving difficult to locate, requiring patience and careful spot selection.
Tailor have been active around Grants Head and Point Perpendicular, while local breakwalls have produced solid bream during evening sessions.
Along the beaches between Lake Cathie and Middle Rock, anglers have been rewarded with a mix of bream, whiting, and flathead, with the incoming high tide around Lake Cathie shaping up as the best opportunity spot for the weekend.
In the Hastings River system, clear winter water conditions have continued as expected.
The waterfront in Port Macquarie has also been producing results for bream anglers, particularly during evening tides using strip bait or prawns.
Recent high night tides have added excitement locally, with a few standout catches of mulloway pushing past the 15-kilogram mark along the breakwall.
Flathead catches have been patchier, with good sessions followed by quieter periods, making persistence an important part of success on the water.
Offshore, anglers who ventured out mid-week were rewarded with excellent snapper fishing, reinforcing how productive the bite can be after periods of rough seas.
When conditions allow, deep-water trips continue to pay off, with last weekend producing impressive hauls of bass groper.
With this weekend’s forecast looking ideal, it’s shaping up as another strong opportunity to head offshore and try your luck in the deeper blue water.
By Kate SHELTON
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