July 16, 2025
NSW FAD season wraps up after record year fishing for mahi mahi The Port Macquarie FAD - Fisheries Aggregating Devices, or FADs, are strategically placed along the NSW coast during the warmer months.

NSW FAD season wraps up after record year fishing for mahi mahi

THE 2024/25 NSW FAD (Fish Aggregating Device) season is drawing to a close.

NSW DPI reported that this was one of the most successful seasons for anglers in over two decades with incredible dolphinfish (mahi mahi) catches reported all the way from Tweed Heads down to Eden.

Now, all FADs will be removed for their annual maintenance during the cooler months, with plans to redeploy them before the next season kicks off.

FAD removal will be completed in the coming weeks, weather permitting.

Get ready for a busy weekend in Camden Haven, as the 2025 Camden Haven Snapper Classic is on.

Both local and visiting anglers will be out in force, vying for a prized snapper.

The forecast looks promising, so expect some great fishing action.

The Macleay River continues to be a fantastic spot for anglers.

You’ll find good-sized bream lurking near the breakwalls, with the occasional flathead adding to the excitement.

The pleasant mid-week weather recently encouraged some anglers offshore, and they were rewarded with tasty pearl perch. Keep an eye out for longtail tuna cruising the local rock ledges as well.

For those who enjoy beach fishing in Port Macquarie, Lighthouse Beach is a haven for tailor and good-sized bream.

Another excellent option is North Shore Beach, where you can reel in a variety of catches like bream, whiting, school mulloway, and tailor. Beach worms are a reliable bait choice here.

The Hastings River itself is an angler’s paradise.

The breakwalls and Limeburner’s Creek are popular spots for luderick, offering a consistent and easy catch.

Mulloway enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that solid fish over ten kilos are still being reported.

The good news keeps coming for flathead activity in the river, which has picked up significantly, with hard-bodied lures proving especially effective.

Offshore anglers in Port Macquarie can look forward to a much brighter forecast this week compared to last weekend.

With prevailing westerly winds, focus on targeting snapper and pearl perch around the reefs for a rewarding catch.

If the current cooperates and the weather holds, consider deep dropping for cod and kingfish.

Down in Camden Haven, cooler water temperatures are providing a welcome extension to the drummer season for a few more weeks.

Head towards the southern rock ledges for a chance to catch drummer, tailor, and school mulloway.

The recent full moon also coincided with some impressive mulloway catches near the breakwalls and beaches.

For keen lobster enthusiasts, keep a close eye on the forecast.

Calm seas and westerly winds present the perfect opportunity for some local lobster diving around the headlands.

By Kate SHELTON

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