Kate Shelton - Bay Explorer Fishing

FADs Return Along the Coast for the Warmer Months Ahead

With the warmer months approaching, Fisheries Aggregating Devices (FADs) have once again been placed along the NSW coast, giving offshore anglers another exciting option as summer fishing begins to ramp up. FADs have a long history in NSW, first being introduced as a resource for recreational fishers following the introduction of the Recreational Fishing Fee in 2001. They are strategically positioned offshore during the warmer months and are particularly popular with anglers targeting mahi mahi, also known as dolphinfish.

Monitoring by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has shown just how productive these structures can be, with mahi mahi making up around 95 per cent of the catch recorded around NSW FADs. With water temperatures beginning to rise and the East Australian Current pushing warmer water down the coast, anglers will be watching closely for the arrival of mahi mahi and other pelagic species.The return of the FADs is always a welcome sign that the summer offshore season is getting underway, and they can provide some fantastic light-tackle fishing when the fish move in.

Over the long weekend, I spent some time on the water and successfully put together a feed of mud crabs in the Maria River. The Hastings River is also producing good numbers of mud crabs around Wauchope, particularly in the deeper sections.
In the Hastings, flathead and whiting have remained the dominant species, with Rawdon Island, Hibbard and Pelican Island proving particularly productive. Lures, especially surface varieties, have been highly effective for targeting larger flathead in the shallows. Mulloway have also been caught, with larger soft plastics producing fish around the deeper sections during the tide change. Freshwater anglers have enjoyed a strong start to the bass season, with conditions expected to continue improving as summer approaches and insect activity increases.

In the Camden Haven River, anglers fishing the breakwalls have been catching some decent flathead and bream during the daytime high tides. Beach fishing for tailor has been fairly average, although around the beaches of Crowdy have been producing some fish. For luderick anglers, Bonny Hills is worth exploring, particularly around the washes where cabbage w**d can be floated through the right areas.

With the weather warming, the FADs back in position and the first signs of the summer pelagic season beginning to appear, there is plenty to look forward to for local anglers in the weeks ahead.
FAD locations

South West Rocks​ 30° 50.534'​153° 11.803'​​
Hat Head​​ 31° 00.636'​153° 07.795'​
Port Macquarie​​ 31° 24.567'​153° 04.725'​​
Laurieton​​ 31° 39.601'​152° 56.235'​​
Crowdy Head​​ 31° 47.000'​152° 55.200'

Yellowfin Action Highlights Spring Fishing

With the warmer weather arriving, there are plenty of signs that spring fishing is starting to build across the region.

In the Camden Haven area, a few drummer are still hanging around, with some impressive fish, including models close to three kilos, being landed from the rocks. Cunjevoi has been producing some good results for those targeting them. Tailor fishing has been fairly average, although Crowdy Head continues to be worth a look when conditions allow. For luderick anglers, the breakwalls are worth exploring. Beach anglers have been finding some nice bream, along with the occasional solid salmon. Inside the river, anglers have been picking up some good flathead and bream around the daytime high tides. As temperatures continue to rise, it is also worth keeping an eye on Lake Cathie, with school prawns and mud crabs likely to become more active as we move further into the warmer months.

In the Hastings River, luderick fishing has been quiet, although persistent anglers can still find fish around the breakwalls using green w**d and w**d flies. Bream numbers have been a little slower, with better results being reported towards the mouth of the river using bait. Flathead numbers are continuing to increase, making most sections of the Hastings worth exploring. With the warmer water arriving, this should only improve as we move further into spring. Offshore fishing has been quieter recently due to the unsettled weather, and the forecast strong north-easterly winds are likely to make conditions difficult over the long weekend. However, if a suitable weather window presents itself, snapper should be worth targeting off Lighthouse Beach in around 25-30 metres of water, with soft plastics and frozen pilchards both good options. Further offshore, Trag Rock should be worth a look for pearl perch and kingfish when conditions allow. The flathead grounds in around 50 metres of water should also provide a reliable option for anglers looking to put a feed together.

While the long weekend forecast may not be ideal, there will still be opportunities for land-based and estuary anglers to get out and enjoy some fishing between the winds. As spring settles in and water temperatures continue to rise, the fishing across the Mid North Coast should only continue to improve.

Graeme Allen made the most of the recent offshore conditions, landing this impressive yellowfin tuna solo off South West Rocks.

Everyone is getting excited for the opening of the 2026/27 NSW Trout Fishing season this weekend!
Remember though, the season officially commences at midnight on Friday 2nd Oct.
Don't be tempted to start early as some have! 😡

Our opening hours this long weekend are:

Saturday - 8:30am to 1:00pm
Sunday - 8:30am to 4:00pm
Monday - 8:30am to 4:00pm

We are also Gold agents for NSW DPI Fisheries, so you can purchase a NSW recreational fishing license in-store. There are options for 3-day, 1-month, 1-year and 3-year.
Exemptions apply if you are:
under 18
an adult assisting a minor with a single rod
Pensioner/DVA cardholders

All waters in Ebor and surrounds are declared General Trout Waters with a daily bag limit of 5 and a possession limit of 10 applying. The minimum legal size (for keeping) is 25cm measured from snout tip to tail tip.
The bag limits apply to a combination of trout species. e.g. you can't keep 5 rainbow AND 5 brown in the one day, but you can keep 3 rainbow and 2 brown in one day.

Of course, we strongly encourage catch and release in the interests of a sustainable fishery and a prolonged season of fun for everyone!

Tight lines, and see you on the weekend!

🎣 THE 43RD GOLDEN LURE TOURNAMENT IS COMING! 🎣

🔥 ONLY 100 DAYS TO GO! 🔥

Get ready for one of the East Coast’s biggest game fishing events!

🏆 43rd Golden Lure Tournament
📅 8th – 16th January 2027
💰 Over $75,000 Cash & Prizes

🎣 🤑 $20,000 Heaviest Marlin – over 150kg 🤑🎣

🏆 Inshore Champion Boat T&R
🥇 $5,000 + prizes
🥈 $2,500 + prizes
🥉 $1,000 + prizes

🏆 Offshore Champion Boat T&R
🥇 $5,000 + prizes
🥈 $2,500 + prizes
🥉 $1,000 + prizes

🏆 $3,000 Overall Champion Boat T&R
🦈 $2,000 Heaviest Shark Over 200kg

🎣 And many more prizes!

👀 Keep your eyes open for when entries open!

Get your crew together and get ready for some serious fishing! 🎣

Port Macquarie Game Fishing Club
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.pmgfc.com.au

Signs of Summer as Pelagics Start Heading Down the Coast

In the Camden Haven River region, a few drummer are still being caught, with some impressive fish reported from the rocks. Cunjevoi has been producing some good results and is well worth having in the bait bucket for anyone chasing these hard-fighting fish. Tailor fishing has been fairly average, although Crowdy Head has been one of the more productive locations. For those chasing luderick, Bonny Hills is worth a look, particularly around the washes where floating cabbage w**d can produce some good fish.

Beach anglers have been finding some nice bream, along with the occasional solid salmon. In the river, anglers fishing the breakwalls around the daytime high tides have been catching some quality flathead and bream. As the weather starts to warm up, it is worth keeping an eye on Lake Cathie, as we may soon start to see school prawns becoming more active. With Sunday’s full moon, it could be worth heading down late next week to see what is starting to show up around the lake.

In the Hastings River, luderick catches have slowed down, but persistent anglers can still find success around the breakwalls using green w**d and w**d flies. Bream numbers have been a little lower, although fishing has been more productive further upstream, particularly for anglers casting lures. Flathead numbers are starting to increase, with fish being caught throughout much of the Hastings River, making it well worth exploring different areas as the season progresses.

Offshore fishing has been relatively quiet this week due to rough weather, but last weekend a few yellowfin tuna have been caught off South West Rocks, which is an encouraging sign as we head towards the warmer months. We are also starting to see a good push of current from the East Australian Current (EAC), which should bring more pelagic species down the coast as we move into the summer season.

With conditions expected to improve, there should be some good opportunities for snapper throughout the week. Lighthouse Beach would be one area worth trying, particularly in 30–40 metres of water. Soft plastics and frozen pilchards should both be worth a try. Further offshore, Trag Rock should be worth a look for pearl perch and kingfish as conditions settle. For those simply looking to put a feed in the boat, the flathead grounds in around 50 metres of water are always worth a drop and can provide a reliable feed when the offshore conditions allow.

Rick Adorini with a quality kingfish he recently caught off Plomer in around 60 metres of water.

Mel’s Crowdy Snapper Success

This week has brought large southerly swell across the Mid North Coast, making conditions challenging for anglers both on the rocks and offshore. Thankfully, the forecast is looking much more promising, with conditions expected to ease by the weekend and continue improving into next week. This should open up some great opportunities to get back out on the water.

The Hastings River has been producing impressive schools of mulloway further upstream and as conditions settle into spring, there should be some good opportunities for anglers targeting these fish around the breakwalls and deeper sections of the river. There have also been reports of mud crabs being caught and with the water beginning to warm, we can expect the crabbing to continue improving as we head towards summer. On the beaches, bream continue to be caught from protected corners, with anglers fishing the evening high tide having the better results. Along with bream, the occasional school mulloway has also been encountered, providing an exciting bonus for beach anglers. Offshore, game fishing anglers have been putting in the hard yards chasing pelagic species. Striped marlin have been a little quiet recently, but as we move further into September and conditions improve, we should start to see more consistent numbers of fish. Closer to shore, snapper remain active, although they are requiring a little more effort to find and tempt. Anchoring up and establishing a good berley trail is currently proving an effective approach.

In the Camden Haven, the southerly swell has kept rock fishing relatively subdued this week. Anglers targeting luderick with cabbage have still managed some decent catches, while the occasional drummer continues to be found around the washes. As the swell eases, rock anglers should have a much better opportunity to get out and target these species over the coming week. Offshore, there remains a healthy population of snapper and pearl perch across many of the local reefs, along with plenty of nannygai and a few kingfish being found in the wider grounds.
With conditions expected to settle, it looks like the coming weekend could provide a welcome return to the water. As always, check the latest local weather forecast and marine conditions before heading out for a fish on the Mid North Coast.

Photo - Mel Spikes spent a few days at Crowdy last week, enjoying some great fishing and landing several quality snapper. Follow Mel’s fishing adventures Spikes Fishing.

Spring Signals a Fishing Frenzy

Spring has arrived on the Mid North Coast and over the coming weeks I would expect to see a significant increase in pelagic activity along our coastline. As the ocean currents begin to shift and baitfish numbers increase, large schools of bait are likely to congregate in the 80 to 200 metre depths, attracting some of the ocean’s most exciting predators, including tuna and striped marlin. This is a time of year that local offshore anglers eagerly anticipate and if conditions continue to line up, we should see increasing numbers of striped marlin encountered between South West Rocks and Port Macquarie.

The Hastings River this week has seen a slight slowdown in luderick activity in the lower reaches, but the breakwalls continue to produce fish when targeting them with green w**d or sea cabbage. Bream fishing has improved, with Limeburners Creek holding some quality specimens. Yabbies and mullet gut have been effective baits. Flathead numbers remain steady, with good-sized fish being caught between Settlement Point and Rawdon Island. Lures and whitebait have proven successful for these elusive predators. There have also been reports of mud crabs emerging in the deeper sections of the river. For those fishing off the rocks, Point Plomer and Queens Head have delivered above-average tailor, while the area under the Lighthouse has produced respectable catches. Bream have been consistent, with early morning anglers enjoying the best results. Offshore, kingfish numbers have been on the rise, with mid-week anglers landing fish up to eight kilograms. Live bait has been the preferred method. A few nice snapper have also been caught, with lures proving effective for the larger specimens.

Things are also starting to heat up around the Macleay River and South West Rocks, with Mitch from Outdoor Adventures getting amongst some excellent kingfish while spearfishing and beach fishing. The water has been incredibly clear, making for some fantastic conditions underwater, with plenty of baitfish, longtail tuna and good-sized tailor moving through the area. With bait numbers building and water temperatures continuing to rise, the next few weeks should provide some exciting opportunities for both anglers and spearfishers.

Heading south to the Camden Haven River region, the beaches have been sporadically visited by schools of salmon, which have been readily attracted to small metal lures. A few tailor have also been accompanying the salmon, although in smaller numbers. Both North Haven Beach and Rainbow Beach have been holding reasonable numbers of bream and whiting. For those seeking mulloway, the Lake Cathie area has continued to produce the best results for school-sized fish. Offshore in the Camden Haven area, snapper have been plentiful on most reefs, with a mix of plate-sized fish and larger specimens. Soft plastics, along with anchoring and establishing a good burley trail, have been the most successful techniques for targeting the bigger fish. As spring progresses and baitfish numbers increase, it will be interesting to see how quickly the pelagic activity builds across the region.

With warmer weather, increasing baitfish activity and more stable conditions hopefully on the way, the coming weeks should see plenty of exciting fishing opportunities across the Mid North Coast.

Photo - Mitch from Outdoor Adventure South West Rocks in South West Rocks with a kingfish he landed off Smoky Beach.

Applications for Recreational Fishing Trust Grants Now Open!

Would you like to improve recreational fishing in your local area?

Applications are now open for funding from the NSW Government's Recreational Fishing Trust for projects that enhance and promote recreational fishing across NSW.

Applications close 9 October 2026.

Funding guidelines and application information are available at the following website:
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/apply-for-funds

This is your fishing licence at work!

A Line in the Sand? Anglers Have Their Say on Snapper and Kingfish

Two of the Mid North Coast’s most popular offshore fish, snapper and yellowtail kingfish, are the focus of proposed new management plans, with recreational anglers now being asked to have their say. The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has released draft harvest strategies for both species. The aim is to rebuild fish stocks while still allowing people to enjoy fishing for them into the future.

As someone involved in representing recreational fishers, I want to make it clear that I am approaching these proposals with an open mind. Rather than telling anglers what they should think, my hope is that people will take the time to read the proposals, understand what is being suggested and make their own submissions. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t ask some hard questions along the way.

Snapper

The proposed East Coast Snapper Harvest Strategy is based on the latest information available about the health of the snapper stock. The assessment estimates that the NSW snapper population was around 23 per cent of its original, unfished level in 2022. The proposed plan aims to first rebuild the stock to 30 per cent and eventually to 50 per cent of its unfished level. The draft strategy proposes a total fishing limit of 300 tonnes a year.

For recreational fishers, the proposed starting rules include a bag and possession limit of three snapper per person. There would also be an allowance for one snapper over 70cm per person. The proposal also includes a split of the total catch, with 45 per cent allocated to recreational fishing and 55 per cent to commercial fishing. These numbers are likely to attract plenty of discussion among anglers. There are also questions around how recreational catches are estimated, how catch shares are worked out and how things such as weather, breeding success and fish moving between different areas can affect stock numbers. The draft strategy acknowledges that improving the information available on recreational catches and better understanding snapper breeding and environmental conditions will be important in the future.

Yellowtail Kingfish

From my perspective, the yellowtail kingfish harvest strategy is more concerning. The latest assessment estimates that the number of spawning-size female kingfish in the NSW component of the eastern Australian stock was around 5.5 per cent of its unfished level at the beginning of 2025. It is important to understand that this 5.5 per cent figure is not an estimate that only 5.5 per cent of all kingfish remain. The latest assessment has changed the way the stock is measured, focusing specifically on spawning-size females, rather than simply looking at the total biomass of kingfish.

This is also why the figure is quite different from the previous assessment, which estimated the stock at around 26 per cent in 2023. The two figures cannot be directly compared because the assessments are measuring the stock differently. The draft strategy proposes a total fishing limit of 120 tonnes a year, with the goal of rebuilding the stock to 30 per cent of its unfished level within 12 years, and eventually towards 50 per cent.

The proposed recreational rules are much tighter than those for snapper. They include a one-fish bag and possession limit, as well as a one-fish limit for boats and charter boats. For recreational anglers, that one-fish-per-boat proposal is a significant change. If several mates have travelled offshore together, sharing the cost of fuel, bait and tackle, being able to bring home just one kingfish between the entire boat could change whether targeting kingfish is worthwhile.

The strategy also suggests that a seasonal catch-and-release period could be considered around the main spawning period, which is expected to be between November and January. For kingfish, the proposed catch is split evenly, with 50 per cent allocated to recreational fishing and 50 per cent to commercial fishing.

There are also some areas where scientists say more information is needed. This includes understanding where large kingfish travel, how different fish populations mix between different areas and where young kingfish are coming from. There is also a bigger picture to consider. The kingfish found along our coast are part of the same broader population as those found around New Zealand. Genetic studies and tagging have shown that fish move between the two countries.

When you look at the number and average size of larger kingfish being caught in New Zealand, it raises an interesting question about what our own fishery could potentially look like if the stock was rebuilt to a higher level of larger, spawning fish. That doesn’t mean our local kingfish fishery is in poor shape. Anyone who spends time offshore on the Mid North Coast knows there are still plenty of quality fish being caught. But what we see locally is only one part of a much larger picture.

Some Questions Worth Asking

This is where I think recreational fishers are entitled to ask some genuine questions.

From my own experience fishing on the Mid North Coast, kingfish numbers in recent years appear to be as good as I can remember them. That certainly doesn’t prove the broader eastern Australian stock is healthy, and what we see in one region may not reflect what is happening across the entire fishery. But when anglers are being told that the number of spawning-size female kingfish is estimated to be just 5.5 per cent of the unfished level, while many are seeing good numbers of fish locally, it is reasonable to want to better understand how that figure was reached and what it means for the fishery we see on the water.

How accurately can we estimate the number and size structure of kingfish currently in the broader population? Perhaps more importantly, how do we estimate what that population looked like at an “unfished” level, long before we had the monitoring and data collection systems available today?

That doesn’t mean the assessment is wrong. Fisheries scientists use modelling and the best information available to estimate stock levels. But when decisions based on those estimates could result in something as restrictive as one kingfish per boat, anglers deserve to understand the methodology, the uncertainty around the numbers and how confident we can be in the conclusions. The acknowledged knowledge gaps around kingfish movements and the mixing of fish between different areas make those questions even more important. There is another side to this argument, however and recreational fishers need to acknowledge it. We don’t have perfect information about our own catches either. DPIRD does have information on recreational catches, including data from phone surveys, boat-ramp surveys, charter records and tagging programs. None of these methods gives us a perfect picture on its own, but together they provide valuable information that can be used in stock assessments.

Personally, I’m not convinced compulsory recreational catch reporting is the solution. I understand the need for better information on what is being caught, but there is already a level of distrust between many recreational fishers and the department. That raises another question: would compulsory reporting actually produce reliable information? Some anglers may report accurately, while others may forget, underestimate their catch or simply choose not to provide accurate information.

For me, the real question is how we can improve the quality of recreational catch information while also building greater trust between fishers and the department. If fisheries management is going to increasingly rely on biomass estimates, tonnage limits and allocations between recreational and commercial sectors, then surely having better information about the actual recreational harvest should be part of that process. Accurate reporting would not solve every problem. It wouldn’t tell us exactly how many fish are swimming in the ocean, and there would still be questions around natural mortality, recruitment, migration and environmental conditions. But better recreational catch information could give DPIRD and recreational fishers a stronger set of numbers to work with. For me, that is one of the bigger issues raised by these proposals. It shouldn’t simply become an argument about whether recreational fishers want tighter or looser rules. We should also be asking whether the information being used to make those decisions is robust enough and what can be done to improve it.

Have Your Say

Harvest strategies are an important tool for managing our fisheries, particularly when there are concerns about declining fish numbers. At the same time, changes to fishing rules can have a very real impact on recreational anglers, charter operators, commercial fishers and the coastal communities that rely on fishing. That is why it is important for anglers to look beyond social media discussions and hearsay and take the time to understand what is actually being proposed.

The consultation on both the Snapper and Yellowtail Kingfish Harvest Strategies is open until 18 October 2026. Whether you agree with the proposed changes, have concerns about parts of the plans, question some of the assumptions being used, or simply want more information before making up your mind, this is the opportunity to provide feedback directly to DPIRD online.

Our fisheries are a shared resource and good management needs good information as well as input from the people who fish and care about them. If you regularly target snapper or yellowtail kingfish, I encourage you to take the time to read the draft strategies and complete the consultation survey. Whatever your view, having your say is one of the best ways to make sure the recreational fishing community is part of the conversation about the future of these iconic fish.