South West Rocks Report

Jason O'Brien with a Spanish mackerel caught out from Urunga.
25 Memorial Ave, South West Rocks | Ph: (02) 6566 6726

09/12/2023

The swell has slowed now and the water temp is up, for Blue water fisho’s it is looking pretty good now.

Out on the FAD Dolphin fish are in good numbers around it and there has been a few Marlin, Striped and Black, seen swimming out there as well.

Grassy & Scotts have been fishing well drifting for Snapper & Tuskies with Plastics, triple treat jigs Octo jigs and live baiting. Not much to report from the Gaol but there are heaps of baitfish there.

Down south around Green Island & Fish Rock Kingfish are everywhere but small with the odd legal landed. Black Rock are producing a few Snapper.

In the River on the break walls near White Rock & Jewbite Jewies have been active on baits & Lures along with some medium Kingy’s. Bream, Flathead & a few Mangrove Jack are along the walls as well.

Up around Clybucca there are some Whiting on the flats, Flathead can be found everywhere try them on the new Rapala Crush City’s. Further up river Jerseyville Bridge is holding school Jewfish with a few Bream around the pylons and Whiting in the channels. There are schools of Mullet are moving towards to Kinchela & Smithtown and there are also some cracker Flathead being caught on the high tide change as well as Whiting further up river.

The Rockhoppers have caught Bream and Tailor along with small Kingfish & Trevally.

Smokey is producing Whiting, Flathead some Trevally & Jewies.

Mudcrabs & Blue Swimmers are good now and there is plenty of bait fish to catch in the river.

Both Back Creek & Front Creek both producing Flathead, Whiting & Mullet on plastics, bait, Sugarpens and Slim Twitchers.

For the kids we have just had a big range of snorkelling gear and boards arrive perfect for fish gazing around Back & Front Creek.

All sounds like it’s building up for a good Christmas season so long as the wind stays away.

“I’ve gone fishing thousands of times in my life, and I have never once felt unlucky or poorly paid for those hours on the water.” – William Tapply

26/10/2023

We’re starting to see some warmer days peaking through in the last few weeks but fishing has been a bit hit and miss while the weather makes its mind up what it really wants to do. The wind has been whipping up as well lately and it’s been a bit tough getting outside. For those who have, there are still a few Snapper around and reports of Dolphin Fish at the FAD & Kingfish have been sighted around Fish Rock also give Black Rock a try.

Flathead are being caught along the drop offs up river at the change of tide using plastics & herring with some really big ones being hooked up but not all landed this week. Just a reminder that anything over 70cm is great to catch but they need to go back to fight another day. Try your luck around Fisherman’s Reach & Stuarts Point with plastics in the shallows.

Whiting have been seen around the boat ramp and further upriver towards Jerseyville, Clybucca and also some big ones around Smithtown. Signs are pointing towards a good Whiting season with the lack of Fresh coming down.

Early morning beach fishing is producing some good Whiting, Bream & some straggler Tailor around Gap beach & Back beach.

Try using some lighter gear to get amongst the Bream, you might lose a few but you’ll get a lot more bites so there is plenty of fun to be had.

TIPS:

BAIT: Fresh beach worms are great for Whiting & Bream any time of year, and you can get them here fresh daily.

Bassday Sugarpens are a good choice of lure for Whiting in the shallows and sand flats.

If you like Plastics you can’t go past the new Rapala Crush City Imposter (winner of best plastic at AFTA 2023) great for Flathead & Bream and even Jewfish.

Remember we give free advice always.

Call in and say hi – we would love to introduce ourselves and hear your stories. – David & Mandy Barr

03/02/23

Now we are coming into the time of the year when things start to fire up here at the Rocks and with any luck the North Easterlies don’t blow too hard. Last week the Mackerel started to appear off Grassy and Scotts Head in numbers with good Spotties and some Spanish in the mix. There has been the odd Shark harassing the fish but so far not too bad. Bottom bashing has been slow with just a few Snapper and Trag coming up. Out at the FAD Dolphin Fish are there but they were a little harder to find through the week. Out in front of the Jail there are Marlin still there if that’s what you chase. Some cracker Wahoo have been caught from the Jail down to Fish Rock where the reports are some of the Kings there at the moment are hard to stop.

A couple of Jewfish were caught off the Break Wall through the week with plenty of Schoolies amongst them. The river and Creeks are holding Flathead in many locations but if you are land based try in front of the Tavern, this spot in normally productive and it’s a good idea to have a net ready many are lost on the rocks. As usual Bream are in the system but the bigger units are tough to find.

Most local beaches fire up in February  with Smoky fishing well for Whiting, Dart and Bream with reports of a few just on size Tailor coming in first light. Gap Beach and Little Bay are fishing well for Bream.

13/01/23

We have had some terrific days here at the Rocks this week with relative calm ocean conditions. The current has been running up hill which is not ideal but still fish were caught. Marlin are in good numbers in front of the Jail but still around the 30 to 50 kilo mark. Up off the grounds around Grassy and Scotts there has been the odd Mackerel but they have been hard to find and Middle Grounds would be your best bet. On the bottom good Tuskies and fair Snapper have been on the bite. Out at the FAD the run of Dolphin Fish continues with good numbers caught every day. There were a few King Fish landed around Fish Rock while Black Rock has been holding a Snapper or two.

The river has been fishing well with some nice Flathead coming in around Jerseyville, Clybucca and the north side of the BreakWall on the drift. Good numbers of Bream have been caught along walls around Jerseyville close to the bridge where you have a chance to hook a School Jewfish out of the same area. Whiting are on the bite across from the boat ramp and around the shallows at Clybucca, and towards Stuarts Point. Most Jewfish caught through the week have been under size.

Beach fishing has been fair with Smoky Beach producing some nice Bream, Whiting, Dart and the odd Flathead. Gap Beach has some nice Whiting with a few Tailor caught through the week. Main Beach has been busy with swimmers but worth a try late afternoon.

26/01/23

We have been blessed with the weather gods shining a light on us over the last few weeks. Fisho”s heading north have found some Mackerel off Grassy Head mainly on the Middle Grounds where the odd Spanish and Spotty has been caught. Marlin continue to be active from Scotts Head down to Hat Head, mainly Blacks with a few Stripes amongst them. Bottom fish like Snapper and Trag are biting with some nice Pearl Perch in the bag as well. Off the Jail the odd Wahoo have been caught with one or two Cobia making an appearance. Fish Rock has plenty of Rat Kings around it but no reports of any bigger units coming in.

 We have had huge tides through the week with high highs and low lows witch does make it tough the fish. Up River there has been a few Flathead around Jerseyville up to Kinchela with some nice Whiting in the bag. Bream in good numbers are along the Walls, oyster racks and Jetties on the change of tides. Around Clybucca to Fisherman Reach has been a bit of a mixed bag with a few Whiting coming out of the shallows, a Flathead or two and some nice Bream around the oyster racks.

Fishing the beaches, Gap has fished well for Bream and Dart with the odd Whiting mixed in while Smoky has been its fickle self and giving up a few Whiting and Bream but not in good numbers.

20/01/23

Things are starting to slow down in the town with our holiday makers coming to an end of their stay. But the good news is the fishing here at South West Rocks is on fire. Dolphin Fish have been in big numbers out at the FAD with more caught further north through the week. Mackerel are still taking their time to really fire up but some quality Spanish and Spotties have been caught. Out a little wider Snapper and Trag have been on the bottom along with some nice Tuskies and the odd Pearl Perch. Out on the wider grounds Deep Sea Perch have been found in 100 meters. Down South a few Cobia and Wahoo have been hooked around Fish Rock and Black Rock. The Small Blacks are still with us in front of the Jail with a few Strips out on the wider grounds.

I’m glade the “none over” 70cm Flathead rule applies because there have been some monsters caught in the river and the creeks through the week. In front of the Tavern has fished well as has Clybucca up towards Stuarts Point. Good numbers of School Jewfish are about around the Jerseyville Bridge, Rainbow Reach and the south Breakwall. Fisho’s chasing Bream have had more luck early mornings and sunset around structure like jetty’s, Boat Ramps and cleaning tables in the river and Creek. There are a few Whiting up river but were a little harder to find through the week.

Most Beaches are producing fish with Smoky giving up Bream, Whiting and Dart with a few whispers of a Tailor or two in the surf. Some nice Flathead have been caught around the Boulders on Main Beach.

06/01/23

Happy New Year from Rocks Marine Bait and Tackle, we are wishing you a great 2023. The fishing here at South West Rocks has been terrific over the Christmas period with the best run of Marlin we have seen in years, Most are Blacks, not real big but good fun to catch. Spanish and Spotted Mackerel are here but the numbers at the moment aren’t there off Grassy and Scotts Head. If you are heading out to the wider grounds Dolphin Fish have been around the FAD in quantity with some brutes amongst them. On the bottom Trag, Snapper, Tuskies and Pearl Perch are coming off the reefs of Grassy up to Nambucca. Kings are a hit and miss thing at the moment around Fish Rock and Green Island. I have heard a few whispers there has been a Cobia or two caught.

The river system has been holding plenty of Flathead in multiple locations while Bream up to 40cm been around the walls and oyster structures around Clybucca. The Breakwall has been producing some nice fish with the odd good Jewfish, Flathead, Moses Perch and Bream coming in. Whiting although not in big numbers this year are in the shallows with the odd big unit still around Kinchela. Stacks of School Jewfish are around Jerseyville with the bridge pylons a favorite haunt.

There has not been a great deal of action on the Rock ledges over the last few weeks but I am sure things will improve over the coming weeks. Beach Fishers will find Whiting, Bream and the odd Sand Flathead on Smoky, Gap and Main Beach while Back beach has been fishing well on the run out tide.

16/12/22

Things are heating up at the right time with water conditions just about perfect outside. Out on the wider grounds the FAD is still loaded with Dolphin Fish but this week they were a little finicky. There is Marlin out there but really no one has been chasing them. In closer Snapper are in fair numbers and if you find the right location good Pearl Perch were pulled up through the week. Still no signs of any Mackerel even though Coffs fisho’s are getting a few while the odd Spanish have turned up around Point Plummer. Fish Rock is firing up with sadly just under size Kings and the odd Snapper around it.

With the river clearing up nicely your catch rate should be improving. Bream are about along the walls with your best time early morning or the darker hours on light gear. Flathead are in multiple locations readily taking lures or fish baits. Finding a big Jewfish has been tough but there are plenty of juvenile fish to filter through. Up river Whiting are on the bite from Jerseyville to Kinchela taking worms or surface lures like poppers or those magical Sugar Penns while the odd Jewfish have been in the deeper holes. Clybucca to Stuarts Point has been fishing well for Whiting and Flathead. Fishing the beaches has again been tough with Lighthouse or Gap Beach your best bet for a Bream and a feed of Whiting.

24/11/22

Things are slowly starting to heat up with the Blue water fishing. Good blue currents are here with us at the moment that has brought on some nice Pelagics. The FAD is holding meter plus Dolphin Fish and if they run thin there look for the fish tapes out there and you will find Bulls there as well.  Couple of Stripped Marlin have been caught and successfully released this week. There were a few Snapper and assorted reef fish caught off Grassy and Scotts Head. Down south King Fish have been on the bite off Fish Rock and off the Wreck with some nice Kings amongst them. Slimies are about they are very finicky at the moment.

The river is fishing well with Jewfish caught around the mouth of the river up to about 10 kilo. The good sign is there are plenty just under the 70cm. Through the Cut to Clybucca Flathead are in fair numbers while the Whiting are finally starting to show up using Nippers and live Worms. Up river towards Jerseyville Bream, Flathead and Whiting are happening with stacks of Juvenile Jew Fish stealing you baits. Whispers of Mangrove Jack along the walls are coming in but it’s tough to catch them landbased.

     Fishing of the beaches has been ok with some nice gutters along Smoky Beach holding Bream, Dart, the odd Whiting and sand Flathead. Gap Beach has a few Bream and Whiting coming in out of the surf.

17/11/22

Things are starting to improve slowly with the blue water fishing, better water conditions and a nice south bound current has been helping. Off Grassy and Scotts there are a few Snapper coming in with some small Pearl Perch and the odd nice Tusk Fish. Out wide the FAD is working well with some good Dolphin Fish on the drift. Off the Jail has been quite apart from a few reef fish coming up from the bottom. Fish Rock again has stacks of Rat Kings to get past before you get to the bigger units but some nice fish reported to 10 kilo.

There were some mixed results from the river through the week. Up river the water is still dirty but Whiting are up around Kinchela with nice fish caught from the bank. Down towards Jerseyville Flathead have been in fair numbers from the Trawlers down to the Boat Shed. Spencers Creek has fished well for Flathead with the waters around Clybucca giving up a few Lizards and Bream feeding around the Oysters as well. There are Bream along the Break walls with the odd Jewfish down towards the river mouth. Good numbers of Herring and Mullet are about to enhance your catch rate.

On the Beaches Back Beach is fishing well around the mouth of the creek on a run out tide. There has been a few Bream on Main Beach with a Whiting or two while Gap and Smoky Beach has some Bream, Dart and the odd Whiting coming in out of the surf.

04/11/22

Wow from filthy water at the start of the week to a crystal clean ocean by the end of the week. Flat westerly conditions saw many fisho’s head out to sea but the results were not spectacular. Guys fishing the northern reefs got amongst a few Snapper but they were hard to find while out off the Jail, the Dot and surrounding areas gave up a few Mowies and a Snapper with not much size about them. Only a few boats headed out to the FAD for a few Dolphin Fish while Fish Rock and Green Island fished ok for a few Kings.

If you are going to catch a Jewfish now is the time to try with some nice Mulloway coming in through the week. Good numbers over legal with the best reported around 20 kilo. Most have been caught towards the mouth on the north or south side of the river. Hopefully that clean water will reach up river through the week. Flathead are in fair numbers taking baits or lures with Bream along the walls on the tide change. With no reports of fish up river all I can say it’s still really dirty up there.

    The beaches have been more productive with Back Beach giving up Whiting, Bream and a few Flathead coming out of the creek. Main Beach has some nice Bream around the Boulders while Smoky and Gap are fishing well for Bream, Dart and the odd Whiting but from what I have heard it’s tough to find a good gutter on the beaches.

28/10/22

Finally we have a bit of sunshine to welcome our visitors to South West Rocks. The past few weeks have been horrible where virtually nobody has ventured outside apart from the Charter Boats and a few LFB boats.  So only a few scatter reports are coming in of a few Snapper off the northers reefs and off the grounds off the Jail with a few assorted reef fish in the mix. There has been the odd Kingfish off Fish Rock but sadly the dirty water has left its mark on the fishing quality for a week or so to come.

The river is putrid at the moment but Flathead have been caught with some big Lizards amongst them not seeming to mind the water clarity. Bream are there but probably best to fish the incoming tides. There are a few Jewfish about with fair numbers over the 70cm at the moment. Whiting are starting to make their way down the river with a few caught around Jerseyville and Clybucca.  

Last time we had a heap of fresh in the river the beaches started to fire up. Now Smoky Beach is fishing well for Bream, Dart and a few Whiting while Back Beach is producing some nice Whiting, Bream and a Flathead or two even though the water has been brown.

The good news is we may see the end of this weather pattern buy the end of the year.

14/10/22

    It’s been a very quiet week all round being the first week after the school holidays.  Mixed with the swell early in the week and a strong northerly at the end of the week fishing outside has been testing. Not many reports to pass on apart the run of quality Pearl Perch continued off the northern reefs with a Snapper or two in the bag. Out on the wider grounds some very good tasting Nanagi are being caught. Fisho’s hitting Fish Rock for a feed of King Fish have battled through the week.

    The highlight of the week has been Jewfish off the Break Wall. There not monsters but good quality fish. Conditions have been perfect with semi dirty water with the morning and late afternoon tides just right. Juvenile and soapy Jew are all over the place, remember they need to 70cm to keep.  Some nice Bream are also coming in off the wall with the best almost 1.4 kilo before cleaning. Flathead are in numbers again this week if you can fish those drop offs around Matty’s Flat, Clybucca and Jerseyville. Whiting are on the bite as far up river as Kinchela and back around to Fisherman’s reach. 

       Beaches are fishing well with Smoky Beach producing some nice Bream, a few Dart and the odd Whiting while reports from Gap Beach has been quality Bream early morning. The Boulders off Main Beach are working well for Bream on Pilchards. Back Beach is always worth a try for Flathead while there is dirty water coming out.

30/9/22

 Welcome to all our holiday makers with all reports most of you have been able to get a feed from our pristine water ways. For the blue water fisho’s there were plenty of Snapper about with the odd Pearl Perch, Pig Fish and Trag off Grassy Head and the reefs further north. Some quality Jewfish were caught out of this area through the week as well. Off the Jail the odd Snapper and good numbers of Mowies have appeared. I have had no reports from the wider grounds this week while down towards Green Island and Fish Rock Some quality King Fish have been taken. Not too bad with the water quality only ok. 

    Our river system remains dirty especially up river at least the incoming tide brings better water to about the boat shed. There has been some cracker Bream along the walls with many over the kilo mark. There are a few Whiting starting to show up around Clybucca with some good fish amongst them. Once again there were good numbers of Schoolies being caught but the bigger units a little harder to find. Flathead have been on the bite taking brighter coloured lures in the dirty water while Prawns, Mullet or Pilchards also have their interest.

   It has been a little slow off the rocks through the week apart from the odd Bream and Tarwhine but the conditions have not been great. The beaches have been more productive than last week with Smoky and Gap giving up some nice Bream, a few Whiting and some Flathead out of the gutters.

23/9/22

 Well it was pretty ordinary week in paradise with another rain and wind event keeping the boats in the shed. If you got a chance to get out early in the week you would have found Snapper on the bite off Grassy with a few Pearl Perch amongst them. Out wider on the bottom fisho’s hooked Pinkies or Deep Sea Perch with still a few Leather Jackets hanging around. I did get reports of Stripped Marlin in about 120 meters through the week. Fish Rock has had some King Fish action this week with some quality fish in the boat.

   The river is still dirty with this relentless rain but its showing great signs of a healthy system with good numbers of Jewfish up river towards Kinchela in the deeper holes. Sadly these fish are mostly under size but good fun on light tackle and a good sign anyway for future years. There are still a few Luderick around but is getting tougher to get them interested. Good numbers of Flathead are coming in for the land bases fisho’s from Jerseyville down to the river Break Wall.  You will find stacks of Bream around the jetties, rock walls and boat ramps with light gear proving the best method while darker hours will be more productive.

  Some good reports off the ledges with a few Jewfish caught from the Jail down to the Light House along with Drummer, Bream and Tarwhine in the mix.

   Not so good news for the beach fisherman with most struggling to get a feed out of the surf on our local beaches.

15/9/22

 It has been a bit of a mixed bag on the water through the week with some days quite fishable but the rest blown out. Outside off Grassy and the reefs further up good Snapper continue to bite on various lures and baits. Trag and Pearl Perch are on the wider grounds with some Pearlies around the 3.5 kilo mark. Long Tail Tuna have made a return with a heap of bait in the Bay being harassed by these Fish. One kayaker was towed around for an hour by one of these torpedoes. Green Island has some nice Bream around it while Fish Rock is battling to produce a feed with the Kings.

      A few Jewfish were caught off the Break wall through the week with plenty of Schoolies about to entertain you Jewfish hunters. Good numbers of Bream were caught but the big winter Bream have been hard to find. Rock Walls, Jetty’s, cleaning tables and other structures will produce some nice fish. Some Flathead were also caught through the week with land based location such as the drop off in front of the Tavern, Jerseyville around the Boat ramp and of the Break wall towards the river mouth. Herring are readily available and great bait for these Lizards.  Luderick have slowed a little but be sure the season is not over yet.

   Off the rock ledges Drummer are about with plenty of Bream and Tarwhine on the bite. Just the odd Tailor have been reported off the Rocks. The beaches have been slow again with a few Bream on Gap and Smoky with the odd Whiting starting to show up.

02/9/22

 It’s been a pretty good week on the water on the whole with some nice fish caught outside and in the river. Off the northern reefs Snapper up to 5 kilos were about with another good week on the Pearl Perch but these fish are out a little wider. Fish Rock has been producing some nice King Fish amongst stacks of Rat Kings. 

     Luderick have gone a little quite probably due to their spawning cycle but they will be back on the bite soon before the end of their season. Good numbers of Bream in the river while the Flathead chasers have had success in many locations. A few Schoolies were caught through the week with one or two Jewfish over the 8 kilo mark.

   On the beaches Gap Beach has had good numbers of Bream and Dart with the odd Whiting in the mix. Over on Smoky, where the fishing has been a little patchy there has been a few Bream caught with the odd Flathead coming out of the gutters.

    To all you Fisho’s out there, after 21 terrific years we have sold our beloved business. Rocks Marine Bait and Tackle now has new owners David and Mandy Barr who have taken over as of the 1st of September. They have had a similar business in South Australia so they know the fishing industry and David also has had many fishing trips to South West Rocks and brings that experience with him. It has been tough handing over something you love over to someone else but David and Mandy are super friendly more than capable couple who will carry on the name Rocks Marine Bait and Tackle with pride. Mark and I will be here for quite some time yet so with that on behalf of Mark ,Denise, Michelle and myself thank you for you loyalty over the years, we will miss this but it is time for a change.

        Take care on the Bars

Paul Martin

Rocks Marine Bait and Tackle

25/8/22 

   Blustery conditions was the story last week which keep fisho’s wrapped up in bed instead of the early morning fishing trip. Later in the week the winds settled to good blue water ocean conditions. Those who ventured out did battle to find fish but most returned with a feed. Snapper, Trag and Pearl Perch were found off the northern reefs out to about 60 meters with the wider Grounds still a little rough. Not much to report off the Jail but there has been a little action off Green Island and Fish Rock with a few Kings and the odd Snapper in close.

    Fishing the river has been productive with good numbers of Flathead appearing up river on both sides of the river fishing the drop offs and shallows. Around the Jerseyville Bridge some nice Bream are feeding around the pylons, with a few School Jewfish in the mix. Down river good numbers of Bream around the Boatshed and the cleaning table with some Flathead along the south wall just past the Cut Through. Luderick have been patchy on both sides of the Wall and their usual haunts in the Back Creek.

    On the beaches Gap has been very productive with some cracker Bream coming in through the week in those horrible conditions. Worms are working well at Gap and Smoky where some nice Bream, the odd Whiting, Flathead and Tailor taken out from the surf.

19/8/22 

   It hasn’t been too bad on the water through the week with some nice fish caught. Snapper were in fair numbers off the northern reefs but the water has been pretty dirty in close. If you were lucky enough to find the right spot Pearl Perch were landed a little wider with a bag out or two between Grassy and Scotts. There are a few Trag in the mix as well. Fish Rock has been producing a few Kings where the water quality down south has been better.

   Mixed reports on the Blackfish in the river with some fisho’s having a bag while others battled to get a feed. Bream are in numbers along the Break wall, boat ramps and cleaning tables late afternoon. The north Wall has been producing some nice Flathead on the drift. The odd Jewfish were caught but they were hard to find this week. Up river towards Jerseyville, Flathead have been caught out of the deeper holes with good Bream around the pylons. Smithtown has a few Bream coming up with Bass in the bycatch.

   The beaches were a little more productive through the week with Bream, Dart and the odd Whiting in the mix off Smoky while Gap Beach has a few Tailor on the north end with some nice Bream jumping all over Worms and Pippis.

12/8/22 

   While we have had pretty good conditions to get out on the water it has been a hit and miss thing outside. The northern reefs are producing some nice pan size Snapper from Grassy to Nambucca and even though there not big nobbies you should get a feed. One or two Pearl Perch about but much harder to find through the week. The highlight of the week was a cracker Sampson Fish caught on Trial BayFishing Charters Boat along with a mixed bag of Bottom fish. There has been not much happening out the front of the Jail but down at the Wreck and Fish Rock quality King Fish have been pulled out.

    Jewfish have been caught through the week with a few stories of 25 kilo plus fish lost on the rocks of the Break wall. Bream are still in numbers with enough Flathead about to keep everybody happy. A consistent run of Luderick in the river and creeks have kept the float watchers happy as well with some nice fish amongst them. It looks like the Hairtail have made a return to the system with a few caught over the last few weeks.

    Off the rock ledges there has been the odd Tailor while Drummer are in pretty good numbers.

    I’m not sure what’s happened to the beaches but it has been tough to find a fish on the beach. Smoky has a few Bream and the odd Tailor while Gap Beach usually productive has shut down. Main Beach has some smaller Bream with a few little Frigates and Bonito coming in off the Boulders.

29/7/22 

   Conditions over the last few weeks have been ordinary but it seems to be a little more settled into this week. Fisho’s heading out to Grassy have had some success on the Snapper while Pearl Perch have been a little harder to find. Trag are still in good numbers with other bottom fish in the bag. Some fisho’s have ventures further north to get a feed as far as Nambucca. Out a little wider the Leather Jackets are full on out there. There have been some nice Kingfish out on the Wreck where you may find a Jewfish or two. Fish Rock has been fairly active for Kingfish but there are lots of Rats to get through first.

     Good numbers of Luderick have come into the river and creeks. Hot locations have been the north and south Break Wall and the wall along the Cut Through. Back Creek, from the dredge to the concrete jetty have been holding nice fish as well. Bream have been a hit and miss thing with the boat shed and cleaning tables more productive. The odd Jewfish out of the river has been reported amongst good numbers of Schoolies. Flathead have been about favoring the brighter colour lures and don’t be frightened to smear some sent on them for that added attraction.

     The beaches have been a little slow while the seas have been up hopefully things change when it settles and more gutters appear. The odd Bream, Whiting and Dart have been on Smoky with the rock ledges giving up a few Tailor and Drummer.

July 15, 2022 

   It has been a mixed bag of fish stories through the week with bitterly cold mornings and fair south westerlies’ blowing the fishing has been tough.  Once again the bottom grounds off Grassy and Scotts have been reasonably productive with quality Pearl Perch and Snapper getting caught. It has been quite on the wider grounds apart from a few Leather Jackets. Off the Jail in close some nice Tailor have been about on the troll all the way down to the Lighthouse. Green Island has been holding good Bream for a bit of fun on light gear. Fish Rock is loaded with under size King Fish and the odd Snapper in the bag.

    It has been tough to catch a feed in the river unless you head toward the mouth. On the high tide some nice Bream and Flathead have been pulled out around White Rock on the north side and Jew Bite on the south side. Luderick have been hard to find along the walls while some have been picked up along the Cut Through walls. There have been the odd Jewfish coming in but most are just Soapies but maybe on the moon this might change. Live Pike and small Mullet are the gun bait if you can find them in the dirty water.

   The Beaches have been a hit and miss thing with reports of fisho’s fishing Smoky coming away with nothing. Gap Beach has been a little protected from the winds where reports of a few Tailor, Bream and small Whiting have been caught.

July 8, 2022 

   Well here we go again, another dumping of rain and a chocolate river that will take weeks to clear but we should be used to this over the last 7 months. There were a few guys getting out through the week with some nice bottom fish on the bite. There are quality Snapper about plus a really good run of Trag at the moment with Pearlies and Tuskies in the mix as well off the northern reefs. It has been a little slow off the front of the Jail but there has been plenty of action down at Fish Rock with some good Kingfish starting to appear with the odd big unit amongst them. 

   As mentioned the river is very dirty now but there are fish in it. Some nice Jewfish are being caught off the Break Wall . There were good numbers of Soapies to keep you interested until that keeper comes along. Luderick were just starting to appear in the river in numbers but they now will be tough to find for a week or two. Bream are along the walls in the river and creek while you may find Flathead toward the mouth of the river and Back Creek.

   Off the Ledges, the odd Drummer have been caught with a few Tailor, Bream and Luderick in the mix.

   The beaches will be the place to fish looking for the cleaner water with Bream, Dart and Tailor off Gap while Smoky is fishing well for Bream, Tailor and the odd Flathead in the gutters. Peter Davey from Hat Head picked up a Queen Fish on Smoky, unusual and a long way from home.

July 1, 2022 

   Welcome to all our holiday makers to the Rocks, let’s hope the weather is good and the fish are on the bite. Apart from a little rain over the weekend conditions have been good. Fisho’s heading north between Grassy and Nambucca have been productive with good numbers of reef fish in the box. Snapper up to 6 kilo reported along with Pearl Perch, Tusk Fish and some very nice Trag all in the mix. Jewfish are again in good numbers along the coast. The odd Spotty has been caught on the bottom through the week. On the wider grounds Leather Jackets have been caught but not in big numbers. Fish Rock has started to see some nice Kings get caught with some meter fish amongst them.

    The river is starting to clear up nicely with stacks of undersize Bream everywhere. The Break Wall is where you will find Good Bream using light gear. Schoolies are still in numbers with no reports of bigger units through the week. Flathead are around the Boat Shed down to the Tavern with Mullet, Pilchards and Plastics working well for the land based fisho’s. Clybucca is fishing well for Bream around the Oyster Racks and Lizards in the shallow water, if you have a Double Clutch Lure target the shallows and you will find them.

   Off the ledges, Tailor have been on the bite with Blackfish and Drummer also in the mix.

   On the beaches Bream, Dart and Tailor have been the standard over the last few weeks with Smoky and Gap your best bet.

June 24, 2022 

   There has been some swell about over the last few days causing the Bar to be tricky at the moment. The off shore reefs have been fairly productive through the week. Grassy has had Spotted Mackerel caught off the bottom with one boat bagging 4 nice fish. Snapper are in fair numbers both here and off Scotts Head. Trag are also in good numbers with a few Pearl Perch in the mix. Reports of some nice Jewfish along our part of the coast line continued this week. There were a few Kings starting to appear around Fish Rock along with whispers of a Cobia or two being seen.

     Smithtown has a few Whiting starting to show up again with some good fish amongst them. Jerseyville around the Bridge has been full of School Jewfish. There were plenty of Bream around the Pylons but most have the ulcers on them so if you are chasing Bream I would head closer to the mouth of the river. Good Duskies have been found from Jerseyville down to the Boat Shed. Again this week small Jewfish are biting along the Wall through to Jew Bite with a few Luderick on the north and south walls feeding on the weed.

    Rock Hoppers are getting amongst Tailor, Drummer, Tarwhine and Luderick. While on the beaches Gap Beach has been fishing well for Bream and Smoky is giving up some nice Tailor early, the odd Whiting and good numbers of Bream. It’s official from the 1st of August Dusky Flathead will have a bag of 5 only and none over 70cm allowed.

June 17, 2022 

   Well it’s about time we have had some good ocean conditions with a consistently good bar crossing allowing most boaters to get outside. It has been a little patchy though with Snapper, Trag and the odd Pearl Perch around Grassy and Scotts Head but not good numbers found. One or two Mackerel were caught through the week off the northern reefs. Out in front of the Jail Mac Tuna and Bonito are in good numbers with reports of some nice Jewfish on the wider grounds. Further south a few smaller Kings were found around the Rock with the odd Snapper in close on plastics. It shouldn’t be too long before we see Leather Jackets off the wider grounds.

    The river has been a hit and miss thing with Flathead harder to find as the water cools. Bream are in good numbers throughout the system but still many with the ulcers on them. Through the Cut to Clybucca the oyster racks are supporting good Bream with a lizard or two on the sand bar drop offs. Luderick have started to appear on the walls but no big numbers coming in yet. The BreakWall has fished well for Bream with a few Flathead and the odd School Jewfish.

    On the beaches Smoky and Gap have been the best with nice clean Bream, Dart, the odd Tailor and a few Whiting still in the mix. Main Beach off the Boulders has been full of Bonito early morning if you a chasing Bait. The rock hoppers have been getting some cracker Tailor off the Ledges.

June 3, 2022 

   It was nice see the bar flat with these westerlies we are having at the moment but the wider you go the rougher it gets. The reports from the northern reefs have been good with Snapper, Tuskies and Trag coming in off the bottom while the Pearl Perch are in the deeper water at the moment. Sadly there were no reports of any Pelagic fish out there through the week so I would say that’s the end of our very poor Mackerel season. Out in front of the Jail things are still patchy with a few Tuna about and a Mowie or two on the bottom. There were no reports from down south apart from some good Tailor in front of Green Island and quite around Fish Rock.

    The river has been fishing well for Flathead again through the week, no monsters amongst them but solid fish any way. Stacks of Bream in the system but it’s tough to find that kilo fish. Some nice Jew were caught up to 15 kilo off the Break Wall so rug up and have a go at these prized fish. It is still patchy with the Blackfish with just a few coming in the river at the moment.

   The beaches have been holding Flathead in the gutters with Bream, Dart and a few Tailor coming in off Gap and Smoky Beach.

    Just a reminder the Crescent Head Fishing Club is holding their annual June long weekend fishing comp with $4000 in cash and prizes for Adults and kids. Entry will be $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 16yrs. Entries will be taken on Friday 10th June between 4.30pm and 8pm at the Crescent Head Country Club and that entry fee also includes a BBQ on Sunday at the weigh in.  More info available at Rocks Marine Bait and Tackle.

May 27, 2022 

   Conditions through the week were not too bad but the problem was the ugliness of the river bar stopping fisho’s from getting out. In saying all that, there has been not much to report. The charter boats went out and found good catches of bottom fish like Snapper, Pearl Perch a few Trag and Pig Fish off Grassy and Scotts Head. In front of the Jail Mac Tuna are still in numbers but sadly all in all things have been patchy at best. The weather next week seems to be more stable so hopefully we can get a last run at the Mackerel.

    The river has fished well through the week with good numbers of Flathead up river past the Jerseyville Bridge. Some better quality Bream have been caught along the walls with a few weighed in over the kilo mark. If you are chasing land based Flathead some nice Fish have come in from the Boat Shed Jetties and cleaning table while in front of the Tavern always is worth a try for a Lizard or two. Jewbite has started to produce a few Blackfish but if you are chasing them Back Creek has been more productive.    The Tailor have made a return to the Rock ledges with some big fish amongst them with a few Bream and Drummer in the mix.  Off the Beaches Smoky has fished well with Flathead, Bream and Dart coming in with the odd Tailor early morning.

May 20, 2022 

   It has been a little patchy on the water through the week with just the odd Mackerel about. The good thing is the end of season fish a quality fish with Spotties up around the 8 kilo mark. There were a few Spanish in the mix mainly from Grassy and further north. There are plenty of Sharks to contend with waiting to steal your catch. On the bottom good numbers of Snapper have been caught with some nice Pearl Perch out a little wider. Off the Jail Mack Tuna are all over the place with yellow Fin and Longtail Tuna a little harder to find. Down south it has been very quiet around Fish Rock and Black Rock with reports of the odd Jewfish out wider.

   With more rain coming, the river is not getting a chance to clean up. Most fisho’s battled to get a fish through the week with a million small bream about and the better quality fish having those ulcers on them.  There have been some nice Flathead coming in but it has been a hit and miss thing with the locations. With the Luderick the river fish have been hard to find whereas the Back Creek at the Rocks and the creek at Hat Head have been holding some nice fish.

     Off the Ledges there has been a few Tailor, Drummer and Tarwhine in the mix.

    On the beaches, plenty of Dart on Smoky Beach with the odd Bream, Whiting and just a few Tailor on the north side of the beach. Similar results on Gap while Back Beach has a heap of throwback Bream coming in.

May 13, 2022 

    South West Rocks has had the most productive week in months with good numbers of fish caught through the week. At last we have some Spotted Mackerel action with a few quality Spanish in the mix Most of these fish were caught from Grassy right up to Valla over the last few Weeks. Spotties were landed up to 8 kilo and Spanish up to 20kilo in water still around the 23 to 24 degrees. Plenty were lost to Sharks, let’s hope the Mackerel hang around for a few more weeks. On the bottom good numbers of Snapper and Pearl Perch were caught by the local Charters through the week. In front of the Jail Mac Tuna, a few Long Tail and Yellow fin all on the bite. The Fish of the Week was a cracking 37kilo Wahoo. Well done boys. One or two Cobia were caught as well before the weather turned to crap.

    Good numbers of Bream are in the river at the moment watch for the ones with ulcers caused by the fresh. There are Flathead coming in out of many locations with some nice fish amongst them. Clybucca has been producing Bream around the oyster racks with still the odd Whiting in the shallows. There were a few Jewfish caught off the Breakwall during the darker hours.

    Beaches have been a hit and miss thing with Bream in fair numbers off Smoky while the run of Flathead seems to be over after the mullet nets have gone through. If you are chasing Tailor the rock ledges have been reasonably productive.

May 6, 2022 

    Most urgent, please always respect our Bar Crossings we lost another boat on it through the week with fortunately no injuries. I have been off for a week with that covid crap to find out the Mackerel are back on the bite with some pretty good numbers. Spotted and Spanish Mackerel have been caught off Grassy and Scotts Head. Long Tails are about with quality bottom feeders like Snapper, Trag, Pearlies and Tuskies all in the mix. It has been a little slower in front of the Jail with reports of the odd Spanish, long tail and Yellow Fin about. Down towards Fish Rock by all reports it’s been a little quite down there as well with Mac Tuna and the odd Small King Fish.

    The Macleay continues to produce some cracker Flat head with both directions from the Jerseyville Bridge holding Lizards with conditions starting to slowly clean up. Solid Bream are being found throughout the system with the Breakwalls and cleaning tables your best bet. Luderick have been hard to find in the main river this early but fair numbers are coming out of Back Creek. There were a few Jewfish about towards the river mouth but mainly school fish caught.

      Rock Hoppers have been amongst Tailor, Drummer, Trevally and the odd Tuna while on the beaches fish have been tougher to find through the week with the odd Tailor and Whiting on Smoky and Gap Beach with a Sand Flathead or two in the gutters.

April 29, 2022

There were lots of Fisho’s out on the water this week with a welcomed break in our horrible weather system over the last few months. Just when we thought the Mackerel season is over they caught Spotties through the week mainly on the wider grounds off Grassy Head. On the bottom there has been some nice Snapper, Pearl Perch, Tuskies and a few Trag starting to return up north. Yellow Fin and the odd Long Tail have been on the bite from Scotts down the Hat Head. Mac Tuna are in numbers again with the odd Wahoo still about from the Jail to down to Black Rock. Fish Rock has been holding Kingfish with a Snapper or two while the current has been an issue again through the week.

    With the river slowly clearing there has been good Flathead numbers towards Jerseyville using Bait or Plastics. Bream have been plentiful along the walls and Jetties with some kilo fish amongst them. The odd Whiting off the sand around Clybucca with some nice Lizards on the drop offs. There were some prized Mangrove Jacks caught, I’ve seen the photos but the location remains a mystery to me for obvious reasons. The river mouth is fishing well for Bream, Flathead and the odd Jewfish. Luderick are in Back Creek, no real size in them yet but it’s still early.

On the beaches Smoky fished well for Tailor through the week with good Bream, Dart and the odd Whiting. Now is the time to throw a plastic into the gutters for one of those tasty Sand Flathead.

April 22, 2022 

    We were a little fortunate last week with the Easter weather not too bad at all. Things were still a little quite on the ocean with a mixed bag of fish coming in. Down at Fish Rock the current has been roaring making tough to fish but the odd King has been pulled out with some really nice Snapper. One or two Wahoo were caught out of that location but there is a lot of water between them. Off the Jail whispers of the odd Cobia have come in while Yellowfin and Long Tail Tuna are about as well. The Northers reefs have been producing some nice bottom fish while a couple of Spotted Mackerel were caught through the week. Good numbers of Slimies were on the bait grounds over Easter.

    The river has been fishing well for Flathead and Bream coming out of most locations on the Macleay. Good numbers of Bass are being caught from Kinchella to Smithtown. There were no reports of any Jewfish through the week but the mouth of the river is clearing up nicely with clean water coming in with the tide.

   Tailor, Luderick, a few Drummer and the odd King Fish have been caught off the ledges from the Jail down to the Lighthouse. On the beaches it has been patchy with reports of many travelly on Main Beach and a few Flathead and small Whiting on Back Beach. Tailor were harder to find on Smoky Beach while fair numbers of Bream and Whiting were caught here and off Gap Beach.

April 15, 2022 

    Welcome to all our holiday makers to South West Rocks let’s hope the weather behaves and the fish are on the bite. Last week the results were a little patchy. With the blue water guys managed to get a feed off the bottom with fair Snapper and the odd Pearl Perch. Fisho’s heading further North found a few quality  Pearlies in close. The FAD has been replaced by Fisheries but there were no reports of any Dolphin Fish from there through the week. Out in front of the Jail the odd Long Tail and Yellow Fin Tuna have been working but the ocean conditions have not been great to put some reel hours in. The only reports this week from Fish Rock has been the odd King Fish and a few smaller Snapper caught in close.

   Last week the river has given up some big Flathead in multiple locations. They are the area in front of the Boat Shed and cleaning tables, the drop off in front of the Tavern and up river past the Jerseyville Bridge. The river Whiting are harder to find with a few up around Clybucca on the sand flats. There were plenty of Bream to be caught along the Break Wall, happy to bite in the dirty water. Jewfish numbers have dwindled a little with the odd one caught through the week.

   The Rock Hoppers are getting Long Tails off the ledges with some quality Tailor coming in as well.  On the Beaches Bream and Tailor have been in good numbers on Smoky and Gap, while on Little Bay Beach Bream and Whiting are in the mix using Worms.

April 3, 2022 

    It has been a little while but finally some positive results as plenty of fish were in the bag through the week. Up off the northern reefs, still no Mackerel to speak of but the bottom fished well around Grassy and Scotts out a little wider where the better water has been. Snapper, Pearl Perch and the odd nice Tusky have all been in the mix. There are good numbers of Long Tails still about while out wide the reports are the FAD is missing but there are small Dolphin Fish around the Traps out there. There were a few Wahoo caught through the week mainly down towards Fish Rock amongst a few King Fish.

    In the river the Jewfish bite continues with some nice fish caught around the opening. The water is still a dirty brown but you will find Bream along the walls with good numbers of Flathead around the Boatshed and in front of the Tavern. Reports of Hairtail back in the river so we will see what happens there. Back Creek has been loaded with big Flathead and unfortunately it has been a slaughter with many over 70cm taken. Remember its one only over 70cm and soon to be zero over 70cm.

  Off the rock ledges some big Tailor are coming in with some nice Long Tail and a few Luderick starting to show up.

     The beaches are fishing really well with good numbers of Bream and Whiting with the odd Flathead on most beaches while Smoky Beach has been giving up quality Tailor and cracker Bream.

March 25, 2022 

    As we enter into another wet week we did get a little reprieve late last week. In fairly good conditions fisho’s battled up off Grassy with the Mackerel disappearing of the face of the earth. There were few Long Tail Tuna about but apart from a few bottom fish like Snapper, Pearl Perch and the odd Tusky things have been patchy in that location. Out the front the odd Cobia has been caught but it is down south around Green Island and Fish Rock where some nice Yellow Fin Tuna have turned up with some fair King Fish and Long Tails in the mix. Yakkas are in good numbers but the Slimies still hard to find on the bait grounds.

    If you can get some live bait in the river some fair Jewfish have been caught on both sides of the river Break Walls towards the mouth. The North Wall has been productive for some big Flathead through the week with plenty of Bream in the mix as well. A Whiting or two can be found through the Cut to Fisherman’s Reach along with some nice Flathead. Upriver the boys have been getting amongst School Jewfish around the pylons of the Jerseyville Bridge while good numbers of Bass are around Belmore.

     On the beaches nice Flathead have been coming in off Back Beach about half way along while Main Beach is worth a try around the Boulders. Little Bay is producing some nice Bream as is Smoky and Gap beaches where Whiting, Tailor, Bream and Dart have all been in the mix.

March 18, 2022 

    The rain may have backed off but the water conditions have not improved much. Guys fishing the northern reefs could not find a Mackerel but there were a few bottom feeders to be found. Smaller Snapper were there along with some nice Pearl Perch but you will have to work for them. Off the Jail the water is green with the odd Wahoo caught on the troll with a heap of water between them. Out wide around the FAD smaller Dolphin Fish are lurking around but with the current sea conditions it’s not worth the trip. Green Island and Fish Rock have been slow with a few Kings and some Yellow Fin has been about. There’s been bait on the Bait Grounds but Slimies are still hard to find.

     All is not lost because Flathead are on the bite along the Break Wall towards the mouth on both sides of the river with some really nice fish amongst them. Bream are being pulled out of there as well. Fisho’s are having success through the Cut up around Clybucca with some nice Lizards, Whiting and Bream in the mix. There is not much happening further up river with the water there pretty horrible.

   No reports of the rock ledges but the beaches are fishing well. Fishing Smoky you will be into Whiting, with some nice Bream and the odd Flathead while Gap beach is fishing well for Bream. Local beaches have battled due the water clarity.

March 11, 2022 

    Let’s hope we are coming to an end of this la whatever it is because we are all over it. The Bar has been horrible and not many have ventured through it. A few boaties have but sadly pretty well all for nothing. Fish Rock and Black Rock have barley produced a fish with the better water now a number of Kilometers out. The current conditions have kept fisho’s in close. Off the northern reefs there were the odd Snapper deep but no sign of any Pelagics through the week. There are some southerly winds predicted hopefully that will bring in some good water.

   Up river, I would give it a miss with the flood gates opened it goes from brown to dark chocolate. Down towards the mouth Bream and Flathead have been on the bite along the South Break wall with some nice Jewfish caught through the week. It has been worth a try up around Clybucca and Fisherman’s Reach for Flathead using Mullet, Herring or Prawn. Big schools of Mullet are heading up river, not sure what’s going on there but it’s a little earlier than normal.  Back Creek has been fishing well at the mouth of the creek on the run out tide.

   Beaches will fire up shortly with fish heading out of the river for the cleaner water. The swell is up on Smoky which hopefully will create some gutters along the beach. In saying all that there’s not a great deal of positivity we will just see what next week brings us.

February 25, 2022 

    Once again we are stuck in a filthy weather pattern with more rain predicted through the week. With only a few days where fisho’s could get outside the reports were few and far between. There were Mackerel off Grassy, mainly Spotties but the numbers weren’t bad. The sharks are a problem again this year eager to hit your catch. Wahoo have also been about with some nice fish caught through the week. On the bottom the odd Snapper and Tusk Fish have come in early morning. Fish Rock has had a mixed bag with King Fish, Mac Tuna and a few smaller Yellow fin about. There are a few Dolphin Fish out at the FAD but the conditions were not great out wide. Slimies were hard to find again amongst all the yakkas.

   We have more dirty water coming down into our river system, which are making things a little tough. Surprisingly Smithtown has been holding thumper Whiting again with some nice Bream under the bridge. Good numbers of Flathead are being caught down closer to the mouth with Bream along the walls. The oyster racks are fishing well with some good Bream and Whiting amongst them. With the advantage of the dirty water there were a number of Jewfish caught through the week but only a few got past the legal size.

Well done to our local Brian who pulled a cracker Kingfish off the rocks around the Jail this week. Beaches have been ok with a few Whiting making their way out of the river with some nice Bream and Flathead in the mix.

February 11, 2022 

    We had a window of really good conditions through the week which saw many fisho’s out and about on the water. With the blue water guys, the only thing missing were the fish. The Mackerel remain very patchy off the northern reefs mainly due to the water clarity coming out of the river. There were a few Wahoo off Scotts Head early last week and only on the bite for a short time. There were reports of a few Spotties out on the wider grounds in about 60 meters along with the odd Snapper and Tusky. Out at the FAD Dolphin were there but there has been no size about them. On the plus side good numbers of King Fish have been down at Fish Rock. As of mid-last week Slimies have been hard to find so it may be worth getting some Pilchards and head straight up north if you are chasing Mackerel to get the early bite.

    Boy the river is dirty at the moment hopefully we have seen the end of the rain up the top end of our system. Guys chasing Whiting up river are battling now with the dirt pushing them out to the beaches. There were some nice Bream caught through the week along with a couple of Mangrove Jack in close along the walls. Good numbers of Flathead have been coming in; with baits you best option in the dirty water. There have been a few Jewfish caught with one weighed in around 22 kilos caught early morning.

Once again the beaches have produced a feed of Whiting, Bream and Dart with Smoky Beach the pick. Back Beach fished well for Whiting through the week.

February 4, 2022 

    It didn’t take long, a few days of fair weather and then back to crap again. Southerlies ripping in saw the weekend fishing adventure shut down again. Earlier in the week we had a few Mackerel caught off Grassy and Scotts Head but still a little patchy on the surface in really hot water. On the bottom there were some nice Snapper, the odd Pearl Perch and some very well received Tusk Fish. Out on the wider grounds Dolphin Fish have been in good numbers off the FAD along with reports of a few Yellow Fin starting to show up. Once again there were the odd Cobia out the front with no reports of any Marlin off the Jail. Fish Rock and Green Island have been productive for some nice King Fish. Bait wise, Slimies are in good numbers.

     The river is giving up some cracker Whiting at the moment with good numbers up off Kinchella to Smithtown with Clybucca to Stuarts Point fishing well. Flathead are all over the system with some big units around the mouth towards White Rock. G Ts are around Jerseyville with some good fish amongst them. There were plenty of Bream off the walls with the odd Moses Perch in the mix. School Jew are in many locations but the larger of the species are hard to find.

   The Beaches are fishing well with Smoky and Gap productive for Whiting, Bream and Dart. Around to Trail Bay towards the Point has been good for some nice Whiting.

January 28, 2022 

    Well finally we have had a little stable weather and with the Bar in reasonable shape many fisho’s headed out throughout the last week to try their luck. The good news is there are Mackerel back on the bite off Grassy and Scotts Head. There not in huge numbers yet but with water quality and current strength as it is it won’t be long. The Snapper and other bottom feeders were a little harder to find with just the odd fish coming in. Out at the FAD Dolphin Fish are in good numbers with some big fish amongst them. Off the Jail, Black Marlin have been picked up but at this stage still no size about them. Down South there were large amounts of Rat Kings all around Fish Rock with a Few Cobia and Spanish Mackerel between there and Black Rock.

   If you are chasing Whiting in the river heading towards Kinchela and Smithtown has been the place to go with Worms or Nippers. Down towards Jerseyville good numbers of Flathead are being caught and they are coming up very dark in colour with the water the way it is. Schoolies are there as well around the pylons of the Bridge with some cracker Bream in the darker hours. Closer to the mouth some bigger Flathead have been landed along the Break Wall with some nice Bream and the odd Mangrove Jack. There were a few better Jewfish found off the North Wall at White Rock and as always live Bait will give you your best chance.

Off the beaches Whiting, Bream and Dart have been in good numbers off Smoky and Gap Beach.

January 14, 20/22 

    It has been tough to find a window of opportunity to get out over the Bar for a few weeks but for the fisho’s that ventured did manage to find a feed. Sadly there were no Mackerel after the big seas we had but with the 25 degree water now they will be back. The odd Snapper and Perch were on the bottom off Grassy with the highlight being a few Cobia in the mix up north and down at Fish Rock. The FAD is producing some Dolphin Fish but no big fish amongst them in a fairly strong current. Off the Jail one or two small Blacks have been found in fairly close. Down at Fish Rock it has been home to a few nice Kings and a Snapper of two. Slimies are plentiful on the bait grounds.

   The river has really gone to crap with the dirty water still coming down from the top. Surprisingly there are Whiting up past Jerseyville to Kinchela where they have been for weeks. There are still good numbers of Flathead coming in from various locations in the system while some cracker Mangrove Jack are being pulled out up to 53cm. You will get Bream along the walls with good numbers of School Jew about as well.

   The beaches are still fishing well for Whiting, Bream and Dart with Smoky and Gap the preferred location.

    Do your homework on the Bars they have been quite dangerous over the last few weeks and if you are new to this part of the world check with the Charter boats or our locals.

January 7, 2022

    Welcome to all our holiday makers to the Rocks. Sadly the weather has not been the best but it doesn’t mean the fish are not on the bite. Just before we had the edge of the cyclone off Queensland come through there were a few Spotties and the odd Spanish starting to appear off Grassy and Scotts Head. There were some nice Snapper and Pearl Perch on the bottom as well. Let’s hope they are still there once the ocean starts to calm. A couple of small Black Marlin showed up over Christmas off the Jail with a heap of kayakers having fun with those. There were a few King Fish around the rock but nothing of any size.

  The river has been hard to fish with the tides very high and the low lows. Better fishing was up river past Jerseyville with good numbers of Flathead, bream and Whiting. Kinchela again proved to be the hot spot for thumper Whiting and School Jewfish. Around Clybucca Whiting and Flathead were in the shallows with some cracker Bream around the oyster racks. After the huge seas last week the front creek is open and usually holds some nice fish with a feed of Prawns in the mix.

    Good fishing off the beaches with Smoky giving up some really nice Whiting with Bream and Dart in the bag. Similar on Gap Beach as the seas slowly back down. Closer to town Main Beach is fishing well for Whiting around the Boulders as well as up around the Boat Ramp at the jail. Back Creek still has volumes of water racing in and out with the high tides but Flathead and Whiting have been caught at the mouth of the creek.

December 17, 2021 

    We are all here twiddling our thumbs waiting for some pelagic action and it just doesn’t want to start. We still have some dirty water off Grassy and Scotts Head but the water temps are pretty good and I would be surprised if something doesn’t happen this week. All wasn’t that bad with some nice Snapper caught off the northern reefs along with a good catch of bottom feeders through the week. A couple of our local fisho’s struck gold out a little wider finding a random log with some monster Dolphin Fish under it getting up to the 20 kilo mark. Smaller Yellow Fin were there as well. There were whispers of a few small Blacks out in front of the Jail while Fish Rock has been producing some nice Kings.

     There are plenty of juvenile Jew Fish in the river at the moment sadly not of size yet. Down at the cleaning table off Matty’s Flat Flathead were in numbers with the odd thumper Bream. Herring are the go with these bigger Lizards. The sand banks around Clybucca have been the haunt for Whiting and Flathead with some nice fish coming in around the back of Rainbow Reach. The Whiting run continues up river past Jerseyville up to Smithtown with some good fish amongst them.

   It has been a battle for the rock hoppers with very little action to warrant the early morning starts. If you’re fishing off the beaches Smoky and Gap are fishing well with good numbers of Whiting and Bream. Little bay has been producing quality Bream while the corner of the Jail past the Boat Ramp has some nice Whiting coming in.

December 10, 2021 

    If you didn’t mind getting a little wet it wasn’t a bad week to wet a line. There were a few fish about up north where Snapper, Trag and Pearl Perch could be found off Grassy out a little wider with the dirty water still coming out of the creeks and river. The good news fisho’s were recording water temps around the 24 degree mark just a nice temp for the first run of Mackerel to show up. Fish Rock started to fire up through the week with some good King Fish hooked and lost sadly from all reports. There are still lots of Rats in the mix though.

    The dirty water is helping fisho’s find Jew Fish in the river with good numbers of Soapies around as well. Bream numbers are up along the walls once the tide brings in the better water. Clybucca has been fishing well for Whiting and Flathead with some nice Bream around the oyster racks. Good reports of Whiting up around Kinchela being quite active in the murky water. The Flathead situation has been a hit and miss thing with maybe the deeper cleaner water your best bet.

   There have been some good results on the beaches. Main Beach around the Boulders should be holding some Bream, whiting up towards the Jail while Smoky and Gap Beach have been a mixed bag of Whiting, Dart and Bream. 

December 2, 2021 

    Well it appears that we are going to have our share of rain over the next month hopefully we don’t have the winds to make it really crappy. The fishing outside has been very patchy with the dirty water hanging around for all of last week. Southerly winds have brought some better water in where a few fisho’s got amongst some Snapper and Pearlies off Grassy and Scotts Head out a little wider. The Fad is producing the odd Dolphin Fish but that location has also been patchy. Off the reefs in front of the Jail not much reported apart from a few bottom feeders enough for a feed. Even Fish Rock has been slow with a few fair Kingfish being caught with the odd Squire in close on lures.

     Sadly the Macleay is a mud bath at the moment and will be for a few weeks. Towards the mouth on the incoming tide improves it where Bream have been on the bite with some nice Flathead coming down searching for salt water. There are stacks of small School Jew in the river at the moment while just the odd Jewfish over 6 kilo have been caught.

    On the beaches it has been the most productive with Whiting coming out of the river looking for the cleaner water. Smoky Beach down to Hat Head is fishing well with nice Whiting, Bream and the odd Flathead coming in. Gap is good as well while Main Beach has Bream and Flathead just off the Boulders.

 November 19, 2021 

    It seems that we just can’t get a break from the wind here at the rocks making it tough for the blue water fisho’s. With a few breaks during the week the guys heading north managed a feed of Snapper but it has been hard work. There were a few Pearl Perch, Trag and an assortment of bottom feeders in the bag but you earned your catch. There were no reports from the wider grounds around the FAD but it will start coming into its own over the next few weeks. Fish Rock has been holding some nice King Fish with one or two Snapper on plastics in close. There are big slimies about at the moment just waiting for the Marlin to come in.

    The front end of our river system hasn’t been very productive over the last few weeks. There has been the odd Jewfish towards the mouth but fisho’s are battling to get Flathead of any size while the grounds from Jerseyville up seem to be the go with good reports of Flathead in various locations. Whiting are still in numbers up river. There has been plenty of Herring and Pike available to lure that big Lizard hopefully for a photo and then a release.

     Fishing the beaches has been good with quality Bream, Dart and Whiting off Smoky and Gap Beach while the local beaches have a few Flathead and the odd Whiting and a Bream or two around the Boulders to keep you interested.

November 12, 2021 

    It’s really good to see a few more visitors in town with the holiday season just around the corner. Blue water fisho’s were fairly productive off the northern reefs with good Snapper caught from Nambucca down to Grassy Head. A few Pearl Perch and a return of some nice Trag have been good to see. I have no reports from the FAD or out in the deeper water out wide but in close off the Jail the Dot has a few Mowies and the odd Snapper coming in. King Fish off the Wreck and it was good news around Fish Rock with some big Kings caught through the week with one unit going 20 kilos. Green Island has some good Bream and Smaller Kings for the fisho’s on light gear.

   On the whole the river from Jerseyville down to the mouth has been slow apart from a few Bream along the walls and the odd Flathead. Most of the action is happening up from Kinchela to Gladstone and Smithtown. Whiting are in numbers with nice Bream and Flathead reported. Bass fisho’s are getting amongst good fish from Belmore up to the Smithtown Bridge. There are a few Luderick still about but mainly up towards Stuarts Point and mainly resident fish. There are good numbers of Bait like Herring and Pike in the river at the moment ready for the big Lizards about to get active.

   It has been productive fishing on the beaches with Bream, Whiting, dart and some Flatties on Smoky and Gap Beach while on Main Beach around the Boulders you should find a Bream or a Flathead early morning.

November 5, 2021 

    It has been a little patchy over the last few weeks with fisho’s heading north for a few Snapper off Grassy, Scotts and Nambucca through the week. On the positive side Pearl Perch were in better numbers with some nice Tuskies in the mix. Out on the wider grounds the FAD has been put in its location and already producing a few smaller Dolphin Fish around it. Off the Jail we are starting to get a few Bonito but they are small at the moment. You will find the odd Snapper and other bottom feeders off the Dot while the grounds around the Wreck are producing a few King Fish. There were no reports of any Pelagic Fish through the week but the temps are slowly rising with a fair current heading south so it shouldn’t be long. Fish Rock has a few Kings just be aware of the 200 meters no use of Bait zone which is ok because Jigs and Plastics are working well.

   Bream are on the bite in the river with some 40cm units caught through the week. There are plenty of Flathead being caught with heaps of smaller lizards about, which is a good sign of a healthy river system. King Fish have been coming along the walls with the tide but there tricky to catch mostly swimming past your baits. Once again Whiting are mainly up river taking worms or Nippers. There were the odd Jewfish caught through the week but none with any size about them.  

    On the beaches Bream, Dart and Whiting were found on Gap and Smoky while a Flathead or two were taken off Main Beach and Back Beach on the full tide.

October 29, 2021 

    We should see a lot more visitors in town over the next few weeks once Sydney comes out of lockdown. On the water some really good Snapper were caught through the week with Grassy and Scotts giving up some cracker fish. Pearl Perch were harder to find with just the odd one landed. There were one or two Jewfish pulled up from the bottom but that location remains a secret, but it’s good to see them out and about. It has been a little slow out in front of the Jail with a mixed bag of a few bottom feeders. Fish Rock again is holding some nice Kings with the odd Snapper in close on Plastics.

   The river is starting to fire up with Flathead becoming more active as the water slowly warms up. Good numbers were along the North wall towards the Cut, Clybucca around the Island, and a few were pulled out in the deeper holes off Rainbow Reach. Bream are in good numbers along the South Wall with some nice fish amongst them. You should head up river if you are chasing Whiting, with Kinchela and up towards Smithtown providing the most action at the moment.      

    It’s the perfect time to head out to the beach for a morning first light fish, not only to take in the sun rise but to get amongst Bream, Dart, the odd Whiting and Flathead which are on the bite on Smoky, Gap and Little Bay beaches.

October 22, 2021 

    Things were a little patchy outside this week with some quality fish caught if you can find the right reef. There were some Snapper to be found if you headed north to Grassy, Scotts and Nambucca. There are still a few big Pearl Perch about but as mentioned patchy at best. Fisho’s were chasing the Stripped Marlin through the week with only the odd one found on the wider grounds. On a positive there is a good current pushing south with the temps around the 23 degree mark. Hopefully the FAD will be back in place over the next few weeks with reports of some Dolphin Fish already out there. King Fish are in fair numbers off Fish Rock with some nice fish amongst them.

    The river system has been holding many Flathead around the North Wall towards the mouth, into Clybucca out of the drop offs and up toward Jerseyville. Boaties have the advantage being able to get into the creek entrances on that run out tide. Bream are in numbers along the walls with a few smaller Flathead in close. Whiting have started to bite from Jerseyville up to Kinchela and Smithtown. With the full moon through the week I have had no reports of any Jewfish but there have been a couple of Big Cobia off the north and south walls towards the opening. 

    Rock hoppers are battling to get a feed with a few Bream, Tarwhine and the odd Drummer coming in. Off the beaches, the news is better with Whiting found on Smoky and Gap Beach with some nice Bream and Sand Flathead in the mix.

September 10, 2021   

    For all you guys and Girls who supported us through the lockdown we appreciated it very much.

   The conditions over the last two weeks have only been fair with wind picking up the sea. The end of the week saw boats heading out with some success of the northern reefs of Grassy Head. Fishing in close with 7” plastics have proven effective on some classic Snapper to 5 and 6 kilo. Good numbers of Pearl Perch are coming in from the wider grounds up towards Scotts Head. Out off the Jail things have been a little slow but further north down towards Fish Rock there are a few smaller King Fish with the odd Snapper in close. There are still a few Leather Jackets out wide but not enough to be a pest.

   The river has been producing some nice Jewfish through the week with a very respectable unit at 26 kilo in the dark. Flathead numbers with start to improve as it warms up with a few nice fish caught this week. Bream are tough to find with any size but hopefully they will be heading up river to do their thing over the next few weeks. Head up river to the tranquil waters past Kempsey for some big Australian Bass around at the moment.

   Rock Hoppers are battling to get a feed with a few Tailor coming in with Tarwhine and the odd Drummer in the bag. On the beaches Bream, Whiting and the odd Tailor are off Smoky Beach while Gap has a Whiting or two as well as some nice Bream on the south end of the beach.

August 27, 2021   

     Well we have another two weeks of lockdown, just when we thought we may get a bit of freedom with zero cases. The good news is there’s not much traffic on the water and you can get on your favorite spot, bank or jetty. If you’re lucky enough to get outside the fishing has been productive. The grounds off Grassy and Middle Head have been fishing well for Snapper with 7” plastics working well to get these fish to bite. There are a few Pearl Perch in the mix with some quality fish amongst them. Out wider you will still find good numbers of Leather Jackets. Off the Jail there are areas around the 60 meter mark that’s producing a few Snapper and the odd Jewfish. Fish Rock has been giving up a few Kingfish with a Snapper or two in the bag.

    Luderick have been harder to find through the week with some mixed results out of your favorite spots. There are Bream all through the river system it’s just a little tough to find the bigger units. There has been a sprinkling of Flathead success with fisho’s fishing the shallows on a falling tide. September 1st sees Bass season open again and from Belmore up to Greenhills you should find some cracker fish.

Rock Hoppers are having a ball with quality Tailor, Drummer and the odd Kingfish coming in off the ledges. Beach fishing has been a hit and miss thing with Smoky and Gap giving up the odd Tailor with Bream and Dart in fair numbers with a whiting or two in the mix.

Don’t forget we are phone/click and collect in accordance with Covid 19 rules daily between 8am and 12 noon.

August 13, 2021   

     It has been another week of struggling to get a feed off Grassy Head  with some very patchy results coming in. There was a hand full of Snapper caught in close but nothing of any size. Good numbers of Red Rockys to be had if that’s what you are into. Scotts Head and further north faired a little better with the odd Pearl Perch in the bag. The water has turned a nasty green colour helped along with dirty water coming out of the river. Out wider the Leather Jackets are in big numbers pretty well all down the coast. Down south you should get a Tailor or two on the troll in close to the rocks. Fish Rock has a few King Fish around it but once again there has been no size about them.

    The river has been fishing ok with a few Jewfish being caught in the colored water of the run out tide off the Break Wall. Bigger plastics like Gulp 7” and Zman scented Jerk shads have been popular to entice these magical fish. Bream are there along the walls with Luderick on the bite in various locations. Fisho’s are struggling to find a Flathead at the moment but you best chance is fishing the Shallows with smaller profile plastic baits and lures or a well presented live bait. Bream have been on the bite around the Boat Ramp next to the Jerseyville Bridge.

    Off the rocks there are still some nice Tailor to be caught with Bream and Drummer in the bag. The Beaches have been patchy with a few Bream, Dart and Sand Flathead on Smoky with the odd Tailor on Gap Beach.

July 30, 2021   

     The conditions through the week were fair but the results from the blue water fisho’s have been patchy. It seems if you fished in close around Grassy and Scotts Head you were on the money for some nice Reds with a few Pearl Perch in the mix. On the wider grounds the quality seems not to be there but it has been a different story the further you head up north. If you are heading south to Fish Rock there has been some King Fish action there with fair numbers of smaller Snapper around the rock. Off the Wreck, one or two Jewfish have been pulled out with a few nice King Fish.

    There is some colour in the river at the moment so the cracker winter Bream season continues along the Break Wall and up around the Oyster leases. Fishing the shallows is your best bet for a Flathead or two with the odd Whiting taking worms and Nippers. Up river to Jerseyville Bream are around the Bridge with the odd Lizard around the edges close to the bank. Luderick have slowed up a little but it’s not the end of the season just yet.

    Rock Hoppers continue to get amongst some nice Drummer in what has been another cracker season. There are a few Tailor off the ledges with Bream and Tarwhine in good numbers. On the Beaches Gap and Smoky are producing Bream and Tailor with some nice fish coming out of Little Bay at the moment.

July 23, 2021   

     There were some good results through the week with the northern reefs producing some quality Snapper. Grassy up to Scotts fared well with some nice Reds and Pearl Perch and from reports they got better the further you headed north. Off the Jail Morwong are in good numbers off the Dot with a few pan size Snapper in the mix. Out a little wider the Leather Jackets are making their annual return to our waters with a few big units caught through the week. You will get a feed of King Fish if you head down around Fish Rock with some smaller units in front of Green Island.

   Luderick season is now in full swing with hot spots form the wire fence down to Jew Bite along the South Wall, while the North Wall has been producing good fish as has the walls around from the Cut. We still have good numbers of Bream coming in feeding with the Luderick along the walls. There are big King Fish coming in to the river with the tide but they are not interested in anything you throw at them. Some nice Flathead are being caught you just have to find them.

    The Beaches have been tough with the odd Tailor coming in off Smoky Beach with a few Bream but there has been some swell through the week. Little Bay should get you a Bream or two early mornings while there has been a few Flathead off Back Beach.

Rock Hoppers are picking up some nice Green Back Tailor with chunky Drummer in the bag.

July 16, 2021   

     There were some good results through the week with the northern reefs producing some quality Snapper. Grassy up to Scotts fared well with some nice Reds and Pearl Perch and from reports they got better the further you headed north. Off the Jail Morwong are in good numbers off the Dot with a few pan size Snapper in the mix. Out a little wider the Leather Jackets are making their annual return to our waters with a few big units caught through the week. You will get a feed of King Fish if you head down around Fish Rock with some smaller units in front of Green Island.

   Luderick season is now in full swing with hot spots form the wire fence down to Jew Bite along the South Wall, while the North Wall has been producing good fish as has the walls around from the Cut. We still have good numbers of Bream coming in feeding with the Luderick along the walls. There are big King Fish coming in to the river with the tide but they are not interested in anything you throw at them. Some nice Flathead are being caught you just have to find them.

    The Beaches have been tough with the odd Tailor coming in off Smoky Beach with a few Bream but there has been some swell through the week. Little Bay should get you a Bream or two early mornings while there has been a few Flathead off Back Beach.

Rock Hoppers are picking up some nice Green Back Tailor with chunky Drummer in the bag.

July 9, 2021       

With a fair amount of swell about early last week productive fish reports were hard to find. The charter boats fished the northern reefs for some quality Snapper with one or two Pearl Perch in the bag. Most of the action through the week has been down south around Fish Rock. Nice Kings are being caught with a few fish around the 10 kilo mark. Black Rock attracted a bit of attention late last week for a Snapper or two in close.

    Good numbers of Luderick can be found in multiple locations off the Break Wall while if you can access to the North Wall you will find them on the bite there. There are still plenty of quality Bream along the walls, Boat Ramps and cleaning tables early morning and late afternoon. The mouth of the river has some nice Tailor coming in with the best time first light using metal spinners. There are surprisingly good numbers of Flathead active in the river with some nice fish up around Clybucca and past the Bridge at Jerseyville. There are some cracker Bream around Smithtown at the moment with Bass everywhere up there Just remember it is closed season on these fish till the 31st of August.

    Rock hoppers are getting Drummer in good numbers while Tailor are in the mix with Bream and Tarwhine. Off the beaches Bream in good numbers, Tailor, a few Whiting and some thumper Dart coming in through the week.

July 2, 2021       

With the weather gods against us for another week finding a window to get out has been tough. Fisho’s that went out found some nice Snapper off the close reefs from Grassy to Scotts Head with a few Pearl Perch and various other bottom fish to get their bag in pretty ordinary conditions. Of the Jail there are some Long Tail still about with a few Kings off the Wreck. Fish Rock has smaller Kings with the odd Snapper here while Black Rock has been a hit and miss thing over the last couple of weeks.

   Bream fisho’s have been amongst some very nice Fish along the Break Wall. Frustration continues if you are fishing for Luderick with stacks of them visible but only a few in the keeper bag.  Up river, from Rainbow past Jerseyville, Flathead have been more active with the Samaki vibes and assorted Plastics working a treat on these tasty fish. Also up this way Whiting are still here with worms the go to bait. The Back Creek has some nice Luderick under the walk bridge and towards the mouth.

   On the beaches Little Bay has had good Bream coming in while on Smoky and Gap there has been a mixed bag of Tailor, Bream, Dart and a few Whiting out of the surf. New annual Beach driving permits are now available in store.  

    Drummer, Bream and Tarwhine are there for the rock hoppers with the odd Jewfish off the ledges of the Light House.

June 25, 2021       

With the conditions turning awful at the end of last week fisho’s made the most of it early in the week for another good bag of Bottom fish. Grassy up to Nambucca produced some very nice Snapper up around the 6 kilo mark and with a few good Pearl Perch in the bag so it has been worth the early morning start. In front of the Jail the fishing has been a little slow with some Mowies off the Dot with a few pan size Snapper to report. There has been some cracker Bream in front of Green Island using blades and plastics on light gear. Fish Rock is starting to produce some King Fish but not with any size at the moment.

        It has been a slow start to the Luderick in the river but they were more productive through the week. White Rock fished well with some nice fish caught. There were also a few on the North Wall on the incoming tide. Good Bream were caught in the same area on Gut, Worm and Mullet. Around Jerseyville there were some nice Flathead caught in the shallows falling victim to a multitude of plastics of various colours. It is good time of the year to fish the Oyster Racks for that trophy Bream and if you head to Clybucca and Stuarts Point it will be a good start.

     Drummer are in good numbers again for the rock hoppers with a few Tailor and Tarwhine in the bag. Off Smoky Beach Whiting are being caught with a few good fish amongst them. Tailor and Bream were in the gutters with an early start your best bet.

June 18, 2021       

Blue water fishing has been very patchy over the last couple of weeks with bottom fishing being the most productive. Fisho’s chasing Snapper headed as far as Nambucca to get a feed. There were some good Snapper caught with the best reported just under 7 kilos. There were a few nice Pearl Perch, Pig Fish and the odd Tusky in the mix. Two or three Spotties were caught through the week with a few stragglers on their way home. In front of the Jail around the Dot the odd smaller Snapper and Mowies were lifted with some fair Flathead on the gravel. Fish Rock has had some King Fish action while Black Rock has been producing some nice Snapper.

       There is not much to report in the river through the week with Luderick visible but not really interested in taking the baits along the Break Wall. Bream on the other hand are in good numbers in multiple locations in the river system. Hair Tail continue to be a pest in the deeper water not being fussy with what’s thrown at them. Flathead were about, but finding the big keeper has been tough. There were a few Jewfish caught but nothing of any size reported. Jerseyville has been giving up a few fish even through there has been a fair bit of netting happening up there.

Tailor, Drummer, Bream and Tarwhine are keeping the rock hoppers happy while the beaches have Bream, Flathead, and a few Tailor early have been in the bag.

June 11, 2021

      Northerly wind coming through late last week has brought in some ordinary water conditions outside. There has been plenty of Snapper action off Grassy up to Nambucca between 30 to 50 meters of water. Bottom fishing also has been producing some nice Pearl Perch, Pig Fish and the odd Tusk Fish. Good numbers of Long Tail Tuna are about all down the coast at the moment. Off the Jail thumper Tailor where caught trolling in close. On the wider reefs the Dot produced a mixed bag of fish again through the week. We have had a few reports of King Fish starting to appear around Fish Rock with a Snapper or two in close. Black Rock fired up this week with some nice Snapper coming in.

    Good news for the Luderick fisho’s they have been on the bite through the week around Jew Bite down to the Bamboos. Good numbers have been in Back Creek up from the bridge. Bream are along the walls if you can get past the Butter Fish. The river has been giving up a few Jewfish with live bait like Mullet or Pike your best bet.  Flathead were harder to find but a few were pulled out around the Boat Ramp and the drop offs in front of the Tavern.

    Off the rocks Drummer are in good numbers while Bream, Long Tail Tuna, Tailor and Salmon have been found off most ledges. Off the Beaches through the week saw good numbers of Tailor and Salmon coming in with a few Bream and Flathead in the gutters.

June 4, 2021

      Better conditions through the week saw fisho’s hit the blue water for some mixed results. With the water temp around 21 degrees there were a few Straggler Mackerel about off the norther reefs. On the bottom cracker Snapper were caught up to 5 kilo off Grassy and Scotts head. In front of the Jail Mowies, Snapper and the odd Jewfish were caught off the Dot while some fair Kings were landed around the Wreck. In close off the Jail good numbers of Tailor are there caught on the troll with spoons, Smiths Jigs and slugs. Fish Rocks has smaller Kings and the odd nice Snapper in close.

   It’s been a while since we have had a run of big Jewfish in our river but now in the time to try. 20 and 30 kilo units were landed through the week. Good numbers of Bream are along the Break Wall with better fish found in the dark. Luderick are there as well but were a little slow on the bite. Flathead are in fair numbers around the back waters of Clybucca and Fisherman’s Reach in fairly shallow water. Up River Bream, the odd Whiting and some School Jew can be found around the Jerseyville Bridge and Boat Ramp. The Back Creek is loaded with Luderick from the bridge to the mouth but crystal clear water has made them timid on the chew.

    Rock hoppers are getting amongst a great run of Tailor up to 3 kilo with Drummer in fair numbers, Bream and Tarwhine there as well.

It is the same on the beaches plenty of Tailor jumping on Pilchards, Gar and metal spinners.

May 28, 2021

      The east coast swell last week has made it tough to get over the bar for many boaties and for the few that ventured out the results were only fair. There were no surface fish to report just the odd Snapper, Pearl Perch off the bottom around Grassy, Scotts to Nambucca. Out in front of the Jail the Dot fished ok with some Snapper and Mowies in the bag. One or two King Fish were found out off the Wreck while Fish Rock and Green Island were slow. There are still good numbers of Bonito in close with Tailor around on the troll.

   We are coming into the time of the year when big Bream inhabit our Break Walls. There were a few caught through the week but only a couple made the grade. Luderick have been a hit and miss thing in the river although it’s still a little early, this cold snap should help.  The Flathead fishing has been fair with some good numbers off the north wall along with the grounds around Rain Bow Reach. Clybucca has some Bream around the oyster racks and nice Lizards feeding in the little creek entrances.

     Rock hoppers have had their share of Drummer and Bream with a few Tailor being caught in rougher water. It would be good if this swell could dig out some nice holes off the ledges.

Fishing the beaches has been productive with Bream Tailor and Salmon off Smoky and Gap while Main Beach has a few Bream and Flathead around the Boulders.

May 21, 2021

   This is the best time of the year when it’s chilly early followed by mostly great days and favorable conditions. Combining this with some really nice water coming down the coast the fishing has been productive. There were Spotted Mackerel caught through the week off Grassy while off the bottom quality Snapper were in fair numbers. Off the Jail there were plenty of Bonito in close while out wider off the Dot Snapper, Pearl Perch and good numbers of Sand Flathead were caught. A couple of Marlin were hooked through the week off the Northern reefs and off the Jail. King Fish were a little more active around Green Island and Fish Rock in some really nice water.

     There were a few Jewfish caught this week off the Break Wall, not monsters but good fish any way. Bream are in numbers along the wall and Fishing light will help with those finicky Bream. Luderick are coming in the river but at this early stage not really hungry. Back Creek has been fishing well for these fish. Flathead are still a hit and miss thing but there were some nice fish caught if you can find them. Whiting were caught up around Kinchela through the week using worms and nippers. Hairtail are still in the river in numbers. Can a Macleay historian tell me if these fish have appeared in our river before?

   Rock hoppers are getting amongst Tailor, Drummer, Luderick and the odd King Fish and Jewfish.

On the beaches a few Tailor, Bream and a Flathead or two have been caught with first light and dusk your best bet.   

May 14, 2021

   With our bar settling down finally we have seen more fisho’s heading out. Off Grassy and Scotts the Mackerel have been patchy with the odd Long Tail still about off these northern reefs. On the bottom some nice Snapper and Pearl Perch have been caught with a few Tuskies in the mix. There has been some Mackerel action in front of the Jail with some nice Spotties around the 5 kilo mark. Bonito are still in numbers in close while out a little wider Kingfish have been productive around the Wreck. Fish Rock and Green Island have been slow with not much current running through there. Slimies are again a no show on the bait grounds.

   The river seems to be on the improve with a few Jew Fish caught through the week. Good numbers of Bream are along the walls with the odd Luderick starting to show up along the Break Wall. Flathead are being caught but were a little harder to find this week. If you can hunt out a few Herring they will help you catch that nice Lizard. Hair Tail are still in the river if that’s your thing.

   Drummer numbers are increasing off the rock ledges hopefully we will have another great season this year. Tailor were a hit and miss thing through the week. Off the beaches Smoky and Gap still has the odd nice Whiting coming in with Bream and a few Tailor early morning. 

May 7, 2021

Things have been a little slow outside for the blue water fisho’s through the week and the easterly swell on the bar hasn’t helped. Reef fishing seemed the most productive with good numbers of Tusk Fish, Snapper and Pearl Perch off Grasssy and Scotts Head. There were a couple of Spotties in the mix along with plenty of Long Tail to fill the bag. Off the Jail, the odd Wahoo are still coming in while there were reports of a few Dolphin Fish out at the FAD again. Fish Rock and Green Island has been holding a few King Fish with some nice Snapper taking plastics in close. Live Bait again has been hard to find but good numbers of Bonito are around the Boulders.

    The Break Wall has been holding some nice Bream they are in close so be prepared to lose some gear. Flathead numbers have been ok and I would look to the shallows for Lizards as the water cools. Luderick have been in fair numbers in Back Creek on both sides of the walls mainly on falling tide change but haven’t made their way into the river yet. We have had reports of fish up river with sores on them and would probably give them a miss and fish down river to the mouth.

   Off the Rocks there have been a few Drummer, Tailor, Bream and Tarwhine but for the Land Based Game guys it has been a slow month. On the Beaches, Back Beach and Main Beach are producing the odd Flathead and smaller Whiting while Smoky has a few Tailor first light with some nice Bream and Dart in the gutters.   

April 29, 2021

   We are finally getting some stable weather conditions here, a fair current and some good water off shore. Grassy has been a hit and miss thing with the Mackerel through the week. Middle ground seems to be the place to pick up a Spotted or two with most Spanish caught in front of the Jail. Good numbers of Bluefin have been about up north to Scotts Head. Snapper, Pearl Perch along with Tusk Fish have been on the bottom with guys going as far as Nambucca for these quality fish. There are a few Wahoo and Cobia coming in all reported from Grassy to Hat Head. There are still Marlin to be caught mostly in front of the Jail. Out on the wider grounds fisho’s have been getting a few Cod in the deeper water. Fish Rock should fire up over the next few weeks with some nice Kings.

   There has been some cracker Bream along the Break wall up to 40cm and around the kilo mark. Flathead have been harder to find land based but the boaties have nabbed a few through the week. Luderick continue their run both in the river and the Back Creek with nice fish caught around Jew Bite and from the dredger to the concrete wharf in the creek. The Hairtail are still with us from the Boat Ramp down to the Mouth.

     Rock hoppers are getting amongst some fair Tailor with a few King Fish and Tuna about as well. On the beaches we are in the middle of the Mullet run but you will find some quality Bream in the gutters with an odd Whiting and Dart in the mix.

April 16, 2021

With all the conditions getting back to normal we have had a productive week on the water. Grassy saw a return of some nice Spotted Mackerel with the odd Spanish amongst them. Good numbers of Long Tail are showing up there as well. Bottom fishing has produced fish with a good run of Pearl Perch, Snapper and a few Tuskies from Grassy up to Nambucca. Out the front of the Jail there were reports of Wahoo being about with Cobia starting to show up as well down south. Marlin are here again off the Jail if that’s your thing. There are heaps of Bonito about in large schools but finding Slimies that has been a mission to locate them.
We have had an early run of Luderick coming along the breakwall of the river and in Back Creek with some quality fish being caught. If you have trouble getting the weed, the weed flies are working a treat. Good numbers of Bream coming in along the walls, around the jetties and the main boat ramp. Flathead are also on the bite jumping on lures and baits. There has been the odd Whiting but I think most have headed out to the beaches.
Off the rock ledges you will find a mixed bag with Tailor, Bream and Tarwhine, Bonito and some smaller Kings.
There have been stacks of Whiting on Smoky Beach but there are a lot of small fish amongst them. The Bream and Dart has been a mainstay with the odd Tailor in the mix.

April 2, 2021

The water quality has certainly improved after the drenching we received along the east coast. Although the river remains dirty the conditions outside are not too bad thanks the southerlies after the rain event. Off Grassy and the northern reefs there has been no sign of Mackerel yet and I’m sure it’s not the end of the season. Off the bottom there have been good catches of Snapper and Pearl Perch with some long Tail Tuna on the surface. Out wider the water around the FAD is really good but the reports are no Dolphin Fish just Mac Tuna in numbers. In front of the jail, Bonito are still in good numbers with a few Long Tails about as well. Fish Rock has some nice Snapper coming in with some just on legal King Fish. Live bait has been tough to get hopefully that improves over the next few weeks.
Fishing the river is tough with the dirty water running out. There have been some nice Bream along the walls with a small numbers of Jew Fish caught through the week. The creeks have been fishing well with Back Creek producing a flathead bonanza during and just after the rain. We can only hope the big ones were let go. Front Creek is worth a go on full tide for a Lizard or two.
There is a little confusion whether the beach access is open to beach fisho’s as the national parks are close till the 19th April from the info we have received. Prior to this there were some nice Whiting and Bream pulled out of Smoky Beach. Rock Hoppers have been getting Tuna, small King Fish and Tailor with a heap of Tarwhine around.

March 19, 2021

   Well this will be an interesting week with 200 plus mm of rain falling who knows what will happen. Before the rain event there were good numbers of Spotted Mackerel off Grassy and up to Scoots Head. There were a few Spanish amongst them but the numbers were down from the previous week. However there were some nice fish pulled off the bottom with Snapper, Pearlies and good Tusk fish in the bag. Off the Jail there has been some action with Mackerel and Long Tail Tuna but most fisho’s headed north. Late last week the water turned crappy heading north, let’s hope the southerlies improve the situation.

  There will be another colour up in the river but the fresh can be a good thing. Whiting should make their way down stream again while Bream can feed actively in these conditions. The Back waters produced some fair Flathead through the week around Clybucca with a few Whiting in the mix. There were a couple of GT’s caught around Jerseyville with Hairtail still on the bite further up river.

   It has been hard fishing off the beaches but Smoky has a few Whiting, Dart and Bream coming in with the odd Thumper Tailor.

      Hopefully we have seen the last of the rain for a while.

March 12, 2021

   Blue water fisho’s had another productive week with Spanish and Spotted Mackerel on the bite. Although they were a little finicky, good numbers of fish were caught off Grassy and Scotts Head. Slimies were hard to find but the humble Pilchard has been doing the trick. Some Mackerel were found mid water and on the slow days fisho’s found no wire just mono to gang hooks proved a successful method to hook up. On the bottom good Snapper and a few Tuskies were pulled in off those northern reef lines. Long Tail Tuna were also in good numbers up there. Off the Jail a few Mackerel were caught along with a cracker Wahoo off the Cols/Jims Hole bait grounds. Sharks were all over the place again stealing everything from Snapper to Spanish.

    The river has been a real hit and miss thing for a few weeks now. Good Whiting are being caught up river past Jerseyville to Kinchela. The Pylons of Jerseyville Bridge has been productive for School Jew, just over legal. There are a few Flathead coming in out of various locations but have been hard to find in the dirty water. Fair numbers of Bream along the walls to get a feed but the Break Wall Jewfish remain elusive.

    It has been a little slow off the ledges through the week but the Beaches have been fishing well with Smoky producing some nice Whiting, Dart and Bream in gutters. Flathead have also been pulled out down towards the Hat. Gap Beach has a few Whiting and Tailor on the bite while the town beaches are loaded with under size Whiting.

March 05, 2021
Great conditions, improving water colour and fair weather finally all at the same time saw many fisho’s outside and amongst some good fish. Off Grassy and Scotts Head Spanish Mackerel were in good numbers with slimies the best bait to lure these fish. Spotties are there but deeper in the water column. Long Tail and a few Yellow Fin Tuna have been caught out of the same location.
There is still the problem with Sharks that we have had all season. Off the Jail it has been a mixed bag with Spanish, Wahoo, Marlin and a few reports of a Sail or two. Out at the FAD there were a few Dolphin Fish caught but with the currents it has been hit and miss thing. Fish Rock has a few King Fish and Wahoo coming in with Black Rock giving up some nice Snapper with the odd Spotted Mackerel through the week.
The river is slowly clearing but the fishing has been a little tough. Flathead are about in a few locations with good numbers of Bream about along the walls. Whiting can be found up river again with some nice fish around Kinchela down to Jerseyville. Bass have moved down the Belmore Creek with some nice Fish amongst them. There have been whispers of a few Jewfish around White Rock on the north wall along with a good Flathead or two. If you can find some Herring you will be almost guaranteed a good feed.
Smoky and Gap Beach are fishing well for Whiting with some nice Bream and Tarwhine amongst them.

February 12, 2021

   Last week saw the Pelagic action shut down a little with a few days wild and wooly on the water. Off the northern reefs there were a few Spotted Mackerel caught off Grassy and Scotts Head with one or two Spanish in the mix. There are two major issues here and the first is Slimies are really hard to find as live bait and the second is if you lucky enough to find the Mackerel the sharks will leave you the head. But it’s not all bad news the bottom is fishing really well for good Pearl Perch and pan size Snapper. Out at the FAD the current has slowed and the Dolphin Fish were nowhere to be seen. Through the week there were a couple of Wahoo and Cobia caught while there were plenty of small Black Marlin about on the closer grounds. Fish Rock is holding stacks of Rat Kings but it’s a struggle to get a keeper.

     I have seen some massive Flathead through the week thankfully only on photo but these fish were up to a meter long. The Break Wall has been productive for some nice Flathead and Bream taking Herring, mullet and Pilchards. Good numbers of Whiting are around Jerseyville but there are heaps under size at the moment. Up around Clybucca, Flathead are on the drop offs amongst some nice Whiting on the turn of the tide.

    Hat Head Creek has had early Luderick and these fish are jumping all over the artificial weed flies.

On the beaches Whiting have been the mainstay especially on Smoky with the odd thumper Bream out of the surf. Flathead are in the gutters feeding on Whitebait best used with small gang hooks.

February 5, 2021

   There’s a local pandemic in the Rocks at the moment and it’s called Mackerel fever. They are all over the place. Good numbers of Spanish are up off Grassy and Scotts Head with some nice Spotted Mackerel as well. The bad news has been the Sharks that come with them; they are like lolly pops to these mongrel things. There has been some action on the bottom with Snapper, Pearl Perch and a few Tuskie’s in the mix. The FAD out wider is holding some nice Dolphin Fish. Off the Jail has been another hot spot for Spanish Mackerel and with the odd Wahoo caught it’s well worth a look. Black Marlin are in fair numbers with a few around the 60 to 70 kilo caught through the week. Fish Rock has been slow apart from a few Kings and a Snapper or two.

     Our river system has been fishing well for Flathead with some cracker Lizards caught. Land Based fisho’s have done well in front of the Tavern down to the cleaning tables at Matty’s Flat. Around Jewbite has been another productive location for Flathead with Herring doing the trick. Bream along the walls with a few smaller Jewfish caught through the week. Whiting are still in numbers but it has been more productive up river toward Jerseyville and Kinchela.

     Rock Hoppers are battling a decent swell early in the week, but at the moment on the whole it has been slow fishing.

    Smoky Beach has been producing some nice Whiting, and in good numbers using Worms or Pippis. Bream and Flathead have been coming out of the surf while Gap Beach has also fished well through the week.

January 29, 2021

   It was pretty wild and wooly earlier last week which kept fisho’s land locked. But a different story at the end of the week with Spanish Mackerel making a return with fair numbers out in front of the Jail. There are still some Black Marlin out the front with reports of a few Jewfish there as well. Up off Grassy there were a few Spotted Mackerel on the middle grounds, while fishing the bottom saw some nice Snapper coming in from Grassy to Scotts. Out at the FAD the current is ripping south bring clean blue water with it. Some nice Dolphin Fish were caught through the week. Fish Rock and Green Island has a few Kings around it while Black Rock has had whispers of a Cobia or two along with some Wahoo.  Good water has come in close so it will only get better.

    Some nice Flathead have been caught around Clybucca fishing the mouth of the creeks on the run out tide. Whiting are in numbers you just need to find a sand flat and throw a nipper or a worm to catch these tasty critters. Off the Break Wall Bream and Flathead are in good numbers but the Jew were a little harder to find. Jerseyville has been producing Flathead and Whiting with a few Schoolies around the pylons of the bridge.

  On the beaches Gap, Little Bay and Smoky Beach are fishing really well for Whiting and Bream with the odd Flathead in close on Smoky. Off the rocks there were reports of some cracker Tailor again this week but on the whole it has been tough going.

January 22, 2021

   Things are really starting to fire up here with some great Pelagic action just off the Jail with nice blue water finally coming in close. Through the week there were good numbers of small Black Marlin from 25kg to 70kgs caught mainly on live bait and a few with Skirted lures. Wahoo are making an earlier appearance with some nice fish caught late last week. Out at the FAD Dolphin Fish up to 15 kilo are coming in. off the Northern reefs there were just a hand full of Spotted Mackerel caught but its just a matter of time before there here in numbers. Bottom bouncers have had some nice Snapper and Pearl Perch in the bag with the odd Tusky. Fish Rock and Black Rock are producing some nice Kings, Snapper and a Jew fish or two a little wider.

   If you can’t catch a Flathead in the river at the moment there is something wrong very good numbers have been caught as the water is slowly clearing. Whiting are about from the mouth up to Jerseyville. There are plenty of Bream about but it’s tough to get that big unit. White Rock up to the Cut has been fishing well for that elusive Jewfish in the darker hours. Up river towards Kinchela and Smithtown some nice Whiting have been caught along with a Flathead or two.  

      Rock Hoppers are getting a few good Tailor off Hat Head while here there are Tarwhine, Bream and a few Kings coming in off the Jail and the Lighthouse. Smoky and Gap Beach has been fishing well for Whiting, Bream and Flathead while the town beaches have a few Whiting amongst the swimmers.

January 15, 2021

   Happy New Year from all of us here at Rocks Marine Bait and Tackle. Unfortunately with all the rain we have had over Christmas it’s pretty dirty out there. Off the northern reefs there have been a few Snapper and Pearlies on the bottom between Grassy and Scotts Head while there have been a couple of Spotties caught a little deeper in the water coloum. Last week the dirty water was almost out to the FAD with only a few Dolphin Fish around it but they were quality fish. Small Blacks are still hanging around the dirty water line with some good numbers just a few weeks ago. Fish Rock has Kings coming in but on the hole we are waiting for some good clean currents to come down rather than the uphill current we have had over the last few weeks.

  The river has been fishing really well with good Whiting along the Break Wall taking Worm and nippers. Flathead are also in good numbers in that dirty water. Kinchela way has been a hit and miss thing with the Whiting but when they are on there are some crackers up there. Bream along the walls and fair numbers of Jewfish caught over the Christmas period towards the river mouth. There is still more dirty water to come down but don’t be put off there’s fish in it.

    Beach fishing has been good but the town beaches have been dirty you best bet will be Little Bay, Gap or Smoky beach for some nice Whiting, Bream and Flathead. Off the rocks there are plenty of Bream and Tarwhine with a few Tailor in the mix off the Jail.

December 17, 2020

   The weather gods are working overtime with huge amounts of rain falling on the east coast. The end result is fairly dirty conditions outside so we will hope for some southerlies to bring in some good water and get back to where we were before the rain event.

    The good news is there are some nice Jewfish getting caught in the river mostly from the Jew Bite down to the mouth. Bream are biting their heads off in the dirty water both in the river and the creeks. These conditions should flush the Whiting down river and out onto the beaches just in time for the Christmas holidays. There have been a few Flathead about not bothered by the colour of the water and I think bait would be the best option as against lures until it clears a little.

   The beaches are pretty messed up at the moment but don’t be put off by the water colour because there are some nice Bream coming in at the moment.

    Just a reminder we are open every day except Christmas day 5.30am to 5.00pm

       Stay safe, have a brilliant Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year from all of us here at Rocks Marine Bait and Tackle

December 10, 2020

   It’s time to dust off your big gear and get ready for the Pelagic season because last week 6 Marlin were hooked with a couple out wide and the rest in close off the Jail.  Most were around the 60 kilo mark with a big unit caught out wide. Good Dolphin Fish have been caught off the FAD even though the current was running up hill for a few days. One lone Wahoo got himself caught on the troll home from Fish Rock. Bottom bashers faired a little better through the week with some nice Snapper coming in with a few Pearl Perch and assorted reef fish. Heading north to Scotts might be your best option. Fish Rock has been a hot bite for King Fish for a while now, smashing Flutter Jigs and Knife Jigs. Bait everywhere has been the reports.

       Flathead action is heating up in the river with some big lizards caught through the week, it’s always great to see footage of these being released, keep them coming boys. Bream are on the bite almost everywhere with a stack of small ones in the mix. If you are chasing Whiting the best places are up river Smithtown to Kinchela. You should also get a feed if you head up to Stuarts Point or Clybucca where there are good reports of Whiting and Flathead coming in.

     Main Beach is fishing well for Bream and Whiting with a few Flathead on Back Beach on the tide change. Smoky Beach and Gap Beach has fair Whiting but we are still waiting for the bigger units to show up maybe with the rain due that might happen sooner than later.

December 04, 2020

   Bottom bashers are still battling to get a feed off Grassy and wider with just a few Snapper and Rock Cod coming off the bottom. I have heard there has been a little action further up north. Out at the Dot, Morwong are there with the odd Snapper while at the Wreck there have been some good Kingfish coming from the structure. The FAD has been producing some really good Dolphin Fish with one unit weighed in going 22 kilo. Fish Rock is alive with King Fish but you have to get past the Rats to get your legal unit. With plenty of live bait around and nice warm water let’s hope it will be a Pelagic paradise this summer.

       Smithtown is fishing really well at the moment with cracker Whiting, Beam and Flathead in good numbers. Jerseyville around the Bridge has been producing some nice fish while on the flats, pumping Nippers will get you a Whiting or two. Heading through the Cut Whiting have been on the sand banks with the odd Flathead in the deeper water. The Breakwall has been producing a Flathead or two while a couple of Jewfish were landed through the week. There are plenty of Bream there to be caught along the walls. Bass are smashing surface lures from Fredo up to Greenhills.

    From all reports there are big Tailor off the Jail at the moment with a few small Kings in the mix. Metal slugs seem to be working well with a bit of sea on.

Beaches are pretty slow with a few Whiting, Bream and Dart on Smoky Beach.

November 27, 2020

   Conditions on the whole were pretty good last week but sadly the Northern reefs are failing to produce any quantity of fish. Grassy has a few Snapper with the odd Pearl Perch and Pig Fish coming in but nothing of any size. Sadly it was the same thing around Scotts Head apart from some fair Flathead on the gravel. Out wider at the FAD nice Dolphin Fish are starting to appear with a solid 16.5 kilo unit weighed in through the week. With another good sign of things to come, a majestic Marlin hooked just of the Jail. Fish Rock has some nice Kings coming up but you need to watch the 200 meter no bait rule because the drones are in play.

    Good Whiting are on the bite around Smithtown and Kinchela up river hopefully making their way down for the summer. There have been some nice Bream off the Breakwall with Gut, Nippers and Worms doing the trick. Good numbers of Flathead are also in the river system getting more active as the water warms. There have been a few Jew Fish coming in with the early mornings seeming to be more productive. 7” Jerk shads and paddle tails are working well on these majestic fish.

Rocks hoppers are still getting the odd Drummer with a solid 2.5 kilo fish weighed last weekend. Kings are chasing metal slugs between 65 to 80gm from the Jail to the Lighthouse. There are plenty of Bream and Tarwhine to be caught if that’s your thing.

Most beaches are producing Whiting, Bream and Dart with a few Flathead in the surf off Smoky Beach.

November 20, 2020

   Another week of more winds has frustrated our fisho’s and holiday makers alike. A few guys braved the conditions for a Snapper or two off Grassy and Scotts but it has been hard going for a few weeks. The water temps are on the rise so it wouldn’t surprise me if we saw some pelagic action in a week or two. Most of the action has been around Fish Rock with good numbers of King Fish coming in amongst the many Rats there at the moment. A few boats headed wide through the week for a couple of Cod and Long Fin Perch.

    If you’re wondering what’s biting you off in the river we have the prehistoric looking critters called Hairtail in numbers here at the moment. Watch their pointy end they are full of razor sharp teeth. Plenty of Flathead were landed through the week both in the river and the Back Creek. There has been some cracker Whiting up river from Jerseyville to Kinchela taking Worms and Nippers. Bream along the walls and the odd Jewfish pulled out through the week.

    Off the rocks Tailor are still being caught with one or two Kingfish using metal slugs while good numbers of Bream and Tarwhine are there as well.

   Beach fishing has been a hit or miss thing with the Whiting on Smoky and Gap Beach with the odd one coming in at Little Bay. Smoky also has a few Flathead, Bream and Dart in the mix.

November 13, 2020

   Another week of blustery conditions last week once again made offshore fishing out of the question. There was a window early in the week where the northern reefs produced some nice Snapper with a few Pearl Perch out a little wider. Off the Jail there were a few fish off the Wreck but really not much to talk about. Fish Rock and Green Island was the place to be for a feed with good King Fish and the odd Snapper in the boat. But with the strong North Easters blowing through the end of the week, that’s all folks.

   If you can find shelter out of the wind the river is fishing well for Flathead. Clybucca and Fisherman’s Reach where you can hide has a few Whiting and Lizards, while if you can get around the Oyster Racks you will find a Bream or two. Up river as far as Smithtown Whiting are in a few areas with the odd Flathead being caught. In these conditions Bass fishing is a good option in the protected pools past Kempsey.

   Early last week there were some nice Kings caught off the rock ledges from the Jail down to the lighthouse. Reports of some thumper Tailor and Salmon were coming in as well.

   The Beaches were a blow out through the week with Smoky and Gap giving up a few Whiting and Bream with some nice Flathead out of the surf down towards Hat Head.

November 6, 2020

   There wasn’t much to cheer about last week with southerlies blowing keeping most fisho’s land based. On the plus side it has brought some nice blue water in close. Fish Rock had some King Fish action around it with a few Snapper hitting plastics in close. Off the Jail there were a few Reef fish caught off the Dot and Rocks In Line but not much to brag about. Some headed north to Grassy for a feed of Snapper and Pearl Perch in fairly ordinary conditions. Early last week I did here the FAD had a heap of small Dolphin Fish on it.

    Fishing in the river at the mouth has been slow going with better results up river further. Bream are in fair numbers off the Boat Ramp on the tide changes with Mullet, Gut or Tuna doing the trick. Flathead have been active around Jerseyville and Rainbow Reach taking lures and Baits. Whiting are still up river with some nice fish amongst them with Nippers and Worms taking their interest. Clybucca has a few Lizards in the shallows with the odd Whiting heading up towards Stuarts Point.

   The Beaches have been tough to fish with the seas up but some nice fish were caught off Smoky through the week, not big numbers but quality Bream and Whiting. The odd Tailor and Salmon are there as well early morning.

October 30, 2020

   Improved conditions saw fisho’s out on the water late last week for some mixed results. The murky water off Grassy hampered the bottom fishers with only a few Snapper and the odd Pearl Perch coming up to the top while further north produced some better results with Tuskies, Snapper and a few Trag. Good numbers of Mack Tuna are about off the front of the jail with the marks of the Dot and Rocks in Line giving up some fair Mowies, Snapper and assorted reef fish. Fish Rock hasn’t fired up for a few weeks with just the odd King there.

    The recent rains should bring on the Whiting in the upper reaches of the river over the next few weeks. Jerseyville has been fishing well for Flathead with blokes doing well on plastics or a well presented fish bait. Heading up through Clybucca you will find a few Whiting and Flathead while the walls should produce Bream amongst a heap of throw backs. There were a few Jewfish caught through the week some around the meter mark while Shovelies are in numbers in the river at the moment. Good Flathead and Bream were hard to find but a bit of colour in the river will help.

   Off the rocks Salmon are here in numbers still with the odd Tailor, Bream and Tarwhine in the mix.

The beaches have been quite with Smoky giving up a few Whiting, Bream and Flathead while Gap Beach has had the odd Tailor very early in the mornings. Town Beaches are a non-event at the moment with just a few undersize Whiting and Bream coming out of the clean water.

October 23, 2020

   Strong currents heading south hampered fisho’s last week finding it hard to fish past the 30 meter mark. Most guys headed further north to Scotts Head or Nambucca to get a feed. Snapper, Pearl Perch and Tuskies were in fair numbers up there. The mark of Rocks In Line produced a few Fish through the week while the Dot gave up plenty of Morwong and the odd Snapper. Down south Fish Rock and Green Island has the odd good King Fish amongst many Rats. There’s plenty of bait around ready for what’s just around the corner.

    Not sure what’s going on in the river but fisho’s are finding it hard to get feed out of the Macleay. There are a few Flathead out of the upper reaches like Clybucca and Stuarts Point while Jerseyville and Kinchela have been giving up a few Lizards with some nice Whiting in the bag. There are some Bream around the Boatshed cleaning tables early morning with one or two Flathead in

 front of the tavern.

       Off the rock ledges Salmon are here in good numbers off the Jail with a few Tailor in the mix. Around from the Gutter Bream and Tarwhine are in numbers.

    The Beaches have been tough with Smoky Beach apart from small Bream and Dart is empty of fish. There were a few Whiting on Back Beach and Main Beach but with no size about them.

The Seabreeze Hotel will hold their first fishing comp since Covid on the weekend of the 31st of October, it would be great to see that supported.

October 16, 2020

   From all reports it was a little hit and miss out on the water through the week. The reefs up north had a few Snapper coming up with some Tusk Fish and Pearl Perch. Out wide the current is ripping south in purple water but back in close it has been somewhat murky. Off the Dot Mowies and a few Small Snapper while Rocks in Line produced some fair King Fish. Down south Green Island has the odd thumper Bream around it with a King or two if you’re lucky. Fish Rock has lots of Rat Kings on the bite with a few legal units amongst them. Nothing to report on the FAD at this early stage.

    There were a few Jewfish pulled out of the Macleay through the week but you need to wait until the sun sets. There were some nice Flathead caught past Jerseyville, not monsters but good eating size. Whiting are starting to move with some nice fish caught in the shallows around the Bridge. Rainbow Reach has had a few Soapy Jews caught taking Vibes and Plastics. Bream are in good numbers along the walls around the boat shed, through the Cut to Clybucca. There are some whiting getting up around Fisherman’s Reach on the full water. Back creek also fished well for Flathead on the high tide up around the mangroves.

   It has been slim picking along the beaches with Smoky the best with a few Bream, Whiting and Dart on worms. It has been very quiet on Back Beach while Main Beach is giving up a few Bream around the Boulders and small Whiting along the beach.

October 9, 2020

   It was fantastic to see our town full to the brim with holiday makers over the last few weeks. So if we weren’t before we are certainly on the map as a premium holiday destination now. Strong north Easters have hampered outside fishing some of last week but earlier Snapper, Pearl Perch were on the bite off Grassy and Scotts with some nice Tuskies and Trag in the mix. Off the Jail Morwong are in good numbers still with a few Snapper off the Dot. Off the wreck a little wider one or two Jewfish have been coming up with the odd Kingfish. On the wider grounds a few guys have been picking up some nice Cod. Fish Rock has been producing Kingfish with a lot of Rats amongst them.

   The river has been fishing well for Flathead up to the 50cm mark in many locations in the river with good numbers of Bream along the walls. Incredibly there are Luderick still being caught around Jewbite and the Cut if you can find some weed. Whiting are up river with some nice fish around Smithtown and Kinchela. Back creek has been flooded with people but will come back with Flathead in the full water shortly.

   It has been a little slow for the rock hopper with reports of the odd Tailor, Bream and Tarwhine coming in off the ledges.

   On the Beaches, Smoky has been fishing well for Bream, Dart and Whiting on worms while Gap Beach has some nice quality Bream coming out of the surf. Main Beach has been slow with a heap of swimmers in the water.

September 25, 2020

   First of all it’s a big welcome to all our holiday makers visiting our little piece of paradise over the next few weeks for the school holidays. It has been a bit of a mixed bag outside with the reefs off Grassy giving up a few Snapper and Pearl Perch off the bottom with the same results a little further up to Scotts. Off the wider grounds to the best of our knowledge the FAD has not been replaced at this stage after the annual maintenance but it will be there shortly to help with our Dolphin Fish season. Off the Jail we are starting to see a few Long Tail while out wide big numbers of Mowies are about. Fish Rocks has a heap of Rat Kings around it with one or two nice ones picked up through the week.

  Jewfish were caught off the Breakwall with night sessions your best bet. Bream are there but it’s finding the bigger units the problem, Gut bait seems to be working well. Flathead are in fair numbers, plenty of smaller lizards about which is a good sign for our river system. Whiting are starting to appear around Jerseyville and Clybucca but not with much size about them yet. There were a sprinkling of Luderick about through the week but it’s about time to rack up the gear after a really good Black fish season.

   Rock Hoppers are waiting for the warm currents to come in for their Pelagics but this week there were Drummer, Bream and Tarwhine with a nice Jewfish pulled up late last week.  

   From all reports it has been tough to pull a fish out from the surf. Smoky Beach has a few Whiting, Bream and the odd Tailor coming in as has Gap Beach while Main Beach has some Bream and Whiting along it.   

September 18, 2020

   From all reports this week the fishing outside has been on the slow side with most fisho’s battling to get a feed. Off Grassy there were a few Snapper off the middle grounds with some Pearlies but with no real size about them. Same story further north but with a few Tuskies and the odd Trag in the mix. A change of season and currents can do this but maybe fishing the tide change might help getting a fish in the boat. Off the Jail Mack Tuna are in numbers with a few Mowies and the odd Snapper out off the Dot. Fish Rock has a couple of Kings reported but not much action out there.

   In the river it’s a different story with a number of good Flathead caught. Off the North Wall Flathead have been laying in close along with one or two Jewfish caught through the week. Luderick are still about but they are getting a little finicky towards the end of the season. There has been some nice Bream along the walls with gut working well on these fish. The Whiting are starting to be more active around Clybucca, Jerseyville and up around Kinchella taking Worms and nippers.

   Off the rocks there are Drummer still on the chew with Tarwhine, Bream and Luderick coming in.

 Smoky Beach is fishing well for Whiting, Bream and Dart but there has been a big sweep along the beach making it tough to fish. Gap Beach has some nice Bream early mornings with a few Tailor and Salmon taking a Pilchard while Whiting are there jumping all over Worms. Salmon have been running along Main and Back Beach through the week.  

September 11, 2020

   Fishing the bottom has proved productive through the week with some nice Venus Tusk Fish caught off Grassy and Scotts Head. Snapper to 5 kilo were also in the mix with Pearl Perch in better numbers. Most fisho’s are using the humble Pilchard for these fish while a slow dropping Plastic has been enticing some nice Snapper. Off the Jail a strong current heading south has made it hard to fish to fish the bottom without heavy leads. Fisho’s struggled through the week for a legal King Fish around Fish Rock but managed to get a few bottom fish in the bag.

     There were some very nice Flathead caught in the river through the week seemingly more active early in the season. Hot spots have been the North Wall around the Cut Through, from the Boat Ramp to the Tavern and in the shallows around Jerseyville. Good numbers of Bream are along the walls with the odd Luderick off the Jewbite taking the weed. Up river towards Smithtown Bream and Flathead have been in fair numbers, look for the drains you will usually find one or two in there. There were no reports of any Jewfish but it has not been ideal weather to bunker down for a night fish.

   Off the beaches Whiting are making a return with Smoky Beach producing Bream, Dart and Whiting while Gap Beach fished well for Bream through the week.

Off the Rocks Drummer still are in good numbers while Luderick, Bream and Tarwhine are filling the bag.

September 3, 2020

   Good catches of Pearl Perch were found between Grassy and Scotts Head last week with some quality Snapper in the mix. There are plenty of Red Rock Cod about as well, don’t be in a hurry to throw them back if they are any size because they are a tasty treat. Out wider off the Jail there were some nice Cod lifted out of the deeper water. A few guys fished the Dot for a bag of Snapper, Morwong and Pig Fish. Down south to Fish Rock King Fish were a little hard to find with a few of the fisho’s coming back empty. Cracker Bream are around Green Island in close; these fish are great fun on your light gear.

     Jewfish continued their run in the river with some nice fish caught through the week off the Break Wall using Pike and live Mullet. Luderick are definitely thinning out with a few in the bag from the river walls to the other side of the bridge in Back Creek. Bream are in numbers along the walls being caught on Mullet, pilchards, Worms and Nippers. Flathead seem to be more active with some nice fish caught around Clybucca and Jerseyville. Daiwa’s Double Clutch lures, Zerek Fish Traps, Samaki Vibes or a well presented Plastic will work on these fish. With Bass season now open head up river from Belmore to as far as you want to go and experience these majestic fishing locations.

Rock Hoppers are catching Bream, Tarwhine, Drummer with a few small Kings in the mix while Smoky and Gap Beach have some nice Bream, Whiting and Flathead being caught.

August 28, 2020

   Finally a little relief from the westerly winds saw fisho’s out and about and back on the water. It has been a hit and miss thing off Grassy with a few Snapper being boated with some Pearl Perch in around 30 meters. Light slow Flutter Jigging lures 60 to 80gm have been working really well for good size Snapper some up to 6 kilo, just something different from the big plastics. Scotts Head also has a few Snapper coming in using Pilchards or Squid. Trolling for Tailor in close has been productive in front of the Jail with a Mac Tuna or two in the mix.  Off the Wreck a few nice Kings have been pulled up with the odd Jewfish. Fish Rock has been fishing well for King Fish with a few Snapper in close on plastics.

  Don’t rack your Luderick gear away yet some nice fish have been caught along the Break Wall in the river as well as Back Creek around the walk Bridge. Spencers Creek has a few Flathead about with the run out tide working best. Bream are in numbers around the Boat Ramp with some nice Flathead down towards the area in front of the tavern. Up around Kemps Corner to Clybucca Flathead are around the drop off’s while around the bend to the Oyster Racks some nice Bream can be found. Off the boat ramp at Jerseyville good Bream are being caught out of a nice hole just off the ramp.

Rock Hoppers are getting a mixed bag with Drummer, Bream, Travelly, Tarwhine and King Fish coming in. Smoky Beach has been hard to fish with the current sweep but there has been some nice Bream in the surf.

August 21, 2020

   Fishing in general has been a little slow through the week due to the strong westerlies blowing. Outside fishermen stayed in close with some fair results. Off Grassy there were a few Snapper caught but better numbers were found off Scotts Head. Pearlies were harder to find with the odd one caught a little wider. One or two boats ventured out wide for a few Cod, Long Fin Perch and a Snapper or two. The ever reliable King Fish are still haunting Fish Rock and Green Island where a few fish over a meter were caught. There are still a few Jackets about if you are chasing them.

   The river Break wall is producing some nice Jewfish with guys using 7” Jerk Shads to tempt the classic fish. It has been a little slower on the Luderick through the week but I don’t think there a fan of the strong westerly winds. Bream are in numbers off the walls while a few thumpers were caught around the Boat Shed cleaning tables. One or two Flathead were landed from various locations in the river and Back Creek tending to like the shallows this time of year. Try to find a Herring or two for the premium Lizard bait.

   Rock hoppers are still pulling in Drummer all down the coast with good numbers of Bream, Luderick and Tailor. There has been the odd Kingfish in the mix as well.

Off the beaches Smoky has been tough with the wind. There were some Bream and Tailor caught in fairly uncomfortable conditions so maybe Gap Beach would be more protected in the westerly winds.

August 14, 2020

   Over the last 2 weeks it has been slim pickings off Grassy Head with the Snapper a little harder to find. The numbers were better if you headed north to Scotts Head with some nice fish caught there. Out a little wider there have been the odd Pearl Perch coming in. Leather Jackets continue to be a pest out past 60 meters. Green Island is giving up a few Kings as is Fish Rock using Knife Jigs and Plastic Baits in close. There have been good reports of Snapper off Hat Head through the week.

   Luderick are still in good numbers in the river around the Jew Bite area and also off the jetty in Back Creek towards the mouth of the Creek. Once again there were some good Flathead caught through the week on Plastics and various hard body lures. Bream are along the walls with the odd thumper amongst them, Nippers, Worms, Pilchards and Mullet with work for you. Further up river Flathead and a few Whiting are starting to show up around Kinchella and Smithtown. There were whispers of a few good Jewfish coming out of the Macleay during the darker hours.

       Rock Hoppers are still getting amongst quality Drummer every day, by far the best season we have seen for a while. The odd Tailor are about with plenty of Bream, Tarwhine and Trevally to keep you interested.

The Beaches have been a little slow with Smoky getting a heap of crap washed up making it hard to fish but giving up a bream or two with the odd Tailor.

July 31, 2020

   With the conditions only fair early last week only a few venture outside to try their luck. Grassy and Scotts are still giving up the odd Snapper and a few Pearl Perch, tuskies and Morwong. Fisho’s are having great success using the Flutter Jigs in 15 to 20 meters of water with the Snapper around the northers reefs. Off the Jail Leather Jackets are in big numbers while the Wreck has been holding some nice Kings and the odd Jewfish. A trip down to Fish Rock will get you a feed of King Fish with good numbers of fish around the Rock continue week after week. There has been the odd Snapper out of the same location.

   Our Luderick season continues to be productive with good numbers of fish caught through the week. The Break walls are holding some nice Bream at the moment best fished with Worm, Nippers or Mullet Strip. There has been the odd Flathead about but they are not active feeders this time of the year and you will need to search for them. The Clybucca oyster racks are holding some good Bream; try some surface lures for a bit of fun over the racks on the high tide to entice these fish. One or two Jewfish were hooked through the week on 6 or 7 inch glow plastic lures.

   Off the rocks now the swell has subsided rock hoppers are getting into a mixed bag with Drummer, Bream, Tailor, Tarwhine and Luderick. Off the Beaches Tailor and Bream are on Gap and Smoky beaches while a Flathead or two have been on Back Beach.

July 24, 2020

   The weather prediction for the weekend is rain but prior to that good conditions saw outside fisho’s get amongst some nice blue water fish. Grassy fished exceptionally well in close for Snapper with fish up to 8 kilo caught in around 15 to 20 meters. Floating a Pilchard down in a burley trail will entice these hungry Snapper to bite. Pearl Perch were harder to find but there were a few Tusk Fish caught further north towards Scotts Head. There has been some Tuna action churning the surface from Grassy down to the Jail. There are good numbers of Leather Jackets from about 60 meters if that’s your thing.

    Luderick have slowed a little with a few caught off the Breakwall on the south side and around White Rock on the north side of the wall. Bream are in good numbers out of the same location while some nice Jewfish were landed in the dark. We have had reports of big Flathead coming in throughout the river system but the feedback is most are being released. Live Herring has been the bait of choice for these big Lizards. Fishing up river From Kinchela to Smithtown has been good with Bream and Flathead both in good numbers.

Off the Rocks Drummer, Drummer and more Drummer, are being caught all down the coastal ledges with plenty of Tailor, Tarwhine, Bream and Luderick.

     Most beaches are fishing well for Bream and the odd Whiting but a trip to Smoky Beach should get you a nice Tailor and with a few cracker Bream about it’s worth getting out of bed early.

July 16, 2020

   Wild and wooly conditions kept all fisho’s land locked for most of last week so there is sadly nothing to report form outside. In saying that, there were lots of holiday people here checking out our majestic location.

   Finding shelter was the secret to catching a fish in the river. Good numbers of Bream were caught along the walls from Rainbow Reach down to the mouth of the river. The Luderick has slowed down a little in some locations but around Jew Bite up to the wire fence good numbers were in the bag. If you could get over to the North Wall some nice Flathead were landed along with a few Jewfish using the bigger Plastics with a good ¾ oz head to hit the bottom. There are a few Travelly hanging around Jerseyville and down towards Rainbow. Good size Bass are feeding from Smithtown up towards Kempsey.

    The Rock Hoppers had to be extra careful with the big seas but through the week the sensational Drummer season is still producing thumper fish. Tailor have been in the white water around the Jail taking spinners, Pilchards and Garfish. Once the seas subside, the rock hoppers will be in their element.

     The beaches have been pretty messy but Smoky has been giving up some cracker Bream, a few Smaller Whiting and the odd Tailor. It’s a similar story on Gap beach only it has been a little more protected.

July 10, 2020

    This holiday period has certainly been productive on the water with plenty of fishing action about. Fisho’s heading south down to Fish Rocks and Green Island are having a ball with the King Fish. There are lots just on legal but amongst those there are big Kings to be caught. Jigs in close and bait like Garfish and live Bait out on 200 meter circle are doing the trick. Off the Jail Flathead on the gravel in front of the Lighthouse in numbers while out off the Dot, Snapper, Mowies and the odd Jewfish have been about. Grassy has been producing some nice Snapper in close with a few Pearl Perch in the mix while good numbers of Leather Jackets are in the deeper water.

   There were a few Jewfish around through the week with the full moon, caught mainly off the Breakwall in the dark. Thumper Bream continue to haunt the walls with Herring, Mullet and gut proving reliable baits. The Luderick run continues around Jew bite to the Fence also with good numbers off the North Wall around the White Rock area. Flathead have been on the drift from there up to Kemps Corner with some nice fish amongst them.

    Off the Rocks Fisho’s are getting some nice Tailor with a few Kings in the mix while in close Drummer and Luderick are still in good numbers.

   On the beaches Back Beach is fishing well for Flathead around the entrance on a run out tide. Smoky and Gap have good numbers of Tailor early with quality Bream along the gutters. So set your alarm and get out there before light.

July 3, 2020

It’s been a busy time here at the Rocks with great weather and plenty of fish about to make your stay a memorable one. Grassy Head has been producing some nice Snapper in close early morning with a few Pearlies about and the odd Tusky. If you are heading out wider watch the Jackets because they are in around 60 meters chopping you off. King Fish are in numbers around Fish Rock and Green Island with some cracker fish amongst them. There are plenty of Sharks about at the moment looking for an easy feed.

    We are in the middle of a great run of Luderick here with many fisho’s bagging out through the week out of multiple locations. Don’t worry if you can’t find weed they are eager to take the artificial weed flies. The Break Wall is producing some big Bream in the dark with the best weighed in at 1.2kg cleaned, by young local Kye Cohen caught on Herring, not to be outdone his dad pulled in a very nice Jewfish the same night coming in at 16.6kg. Jerseyville has a few Flathead caught in the shallow water. Clybucca and Rainbow Reach has been producing quality Bream around the Oyster Racks and deeper holes along the walls.

     Rock Hoppers continue to get amongst good numbers of Drummer, Tailor and Luderick while the odd King has been caught off the ledges. On the beaches Bream and small Whiting are on Back and Main Beach while Smoky and Gap beach are fishing well for Tailor and Bream.

June 19, 2020

 Cool crisp mornings and fair days have seen plenty of Fisho’s hit water over the last week. Up north off Grassy there have been some nice Snapper in close using assorted plastic baits but you need to early, that’s when it fishes best. If you prefer gentlemen hours head out a little wider where they are getting good Pearl Perch past 60 meters. Once again there have been Cod in the deeper water with reports of the odd smaller Gem fish out there. There are still good numbers of Kingfish off Green Island and Fish Rock while a trip down to Black Rock can produce a nice Snapper or two this time of the year.

    There are plenty of Luderick about at the moment with Jewbite, the walls around Kemps Corner and Back Creek productive locations. Bream are in numbers along the walls with a few weighed in around the kilo mark and they will only get more solid before they do their thing and move out. No reports of any Jewfish out of the river through the week but fisho’s can be a secretive lot. There are still Flathead to be caught with some nice fish coming in. Back Creek has been holding some nice Lizards in the shallow water.

   Off the rocks Tailor have been caught while nice fat Drummer are still in good numbers as are Luderick and Bream. Gap Beach is having a good run of Bream now with the odd Tailor while Smoky Beach late last week saw a few cracker Whiting coming out of the cooling water with nice Bream and Tailor in the bag.

June 12, 2020

 It has been really great for our piece of paradise to see a lot of visitors out and about after the travel restriction have eased. Off shore the hot spot has been down south around Fish Rock and Green Island with good quality King Fish about and on the bite. Good numbers of Macks and Bonito continue to be in front of the Jail with Tailor in close on the troll. The Dot has been holding Morwong and the odd Snapper with a chance of a Jewfish around that location. Up off Grassy Head a few Snapper have been in close with slow drop baits proving a successful method. Out on the wide grounds a few boats have lifted up some nice Cod in fairly ordinary conditions.

       The Break Wall has produced a few Jewfish through the week with a couple going 15 kilo plus. There are Shovelies along the Wall as well that will test your gear. Luderick are starting to appear on time with some nice fish amongst them, fishing from JewBite up river you best bet. Good numbers of Bream are entering our system and shouldn’t be too long before the big winter units are here. Some nice Flathead were caught through the week, still ready to jump all over a variety of plastics or a well presented bait. You can still find a nice Whiting with upriver your best bet.

     We have had another productive week with Drummer off the rocks all the way from the Jail down to Hat Head. Good Bream are also in numbers while the Tailor may have dropped off through the week the quality has not. The beaches have been a hit and miss again with Smoky giving up a few Bream and the odd Tailor as has Gap Beach with one or two off Little Bay. Back Beach has had a run of Whiting late last week on worms.

June 5, 2020

 Strong south westers kept fisho’s in close through the week with most heading up to Grassy, Scotts and Nambucca to get a feed. This is the time of year when chasing Snapper on plastics is very productive. On the closer reefs in about 30 meters good Snapper have been caught using 7” Gulp and Zman Jerk Shads on a slow drop. There have been a few reports of the odd Sampson Fish out of the same locations. A few boats headed south in fairly rough conditions for Bonito and Mack Tuna while Green Island and Fish Rock continue to produce some King Fish.     

Luderick were in better numbers through the week along the Break Wall, also up towards Stuarts Point has been productive amongst the mostly resident fish. Weed fly’s are working well if you can’t find any weed or cabbage. There are plenty of Bream about with the best time at sunrise and sunset with some nice fish caught around the Boat ramps and Jetties. Flathead bit well again in multiple locations but they are sitting in the shallows around Clybucca, Fisherman’s Reach and up river to Jerseyville.

It has been worth a trek down to your favorite rock ledge with good numbers of Drummer being caught with Bream, Tarwhine and Blackfish in the bag. Watch the swell it has been up.

The beaches like Smoky and Gap are having a great run on the Tailor at the moment with fisho’s filling their bag. There are some good fish amongst them taking Pilchards, Garfish and metal slugs early mornings. Bream, Flathead and the odd Whiting are in the mix as well along the beach. Check out the sun rise, catch some fish, win win.  

May 29, 2020

 Late last week boats started to head out again after a week or so of ordinary conditions. Guys heading north managed to find a few nice Snapper, Pearl Perch and other bottom feeders off Grassy Head and up towards Scotts Head. The water is cooling and with that Mackerel were not to be found. Long Tail Tuna were caught along with some good size Mack Tuna out of this location. Out off the Jail it has been quite rough but in close Bonito, Tuna and Tailor are on the bite. Down to Green Island and Fish Rock there have been some nice Kings coming in with fisho’s having success with the slow flutter Jigs on these fish.

    The river through the week has produced some nice Bream in different locations. Rock walls have been the spot but you need to fish light and expect to lose some gear. Oyster Racks will work for you as will the Mangroves on a full tide. Fishing for Jewfish of the Break Wall has been slow and with reports of netters working these fish is it any wonder. Dust off you Luderick gear because they are starting to come into the river to do their thing. There are a few being caught now but next month should see plenty of action. Flathead are in fair numbers throughout the system with the shallows holding fish as the water cools. Jerseyville around the Bridge pylons and the boat ramp has been fishing well for Bream and the odd School Jew.

  Rock Hoppers are getting amongst Drummer, Tailor, Bream and Tarwhine with the odd King Fish off the ledges. You can still get a Whiting or two of the beaches while off Smoky and Gap some nice Tailor have been caught.

May 22, 2020

 With a fair swell around for the last few days there were only a few boats out on the water and  with the ocean temp down a bit Mackerel were hard to find off Grassy with only one or two reported. On the bottom there were a few Snapper caught along with some nice Pearl Perch in the bag. Off the Jail, once again there were plenty of Mac Tuna around with some Bonito while in the deeper water Morwong, Pig Fish and a few Jewfish were caught. There might be some early Leather Jackets about with reports of gear loss from a few Fisho’s. What would we do without the King Fish with fisho’s getting amongst some nice fish around Fish Rock and Green Island.

    The river has been fishing well for Jewfish through the week with some nice fish off the Break Wall, both north and south side. Bream and Flathead have been in fair numbers off the walls as well. The oyster racks around Clybucca are starting to produce good Bream on the full tide. There has been some cracker Bream around the Boat Ramp at Jerseyville over the bridge. Blackfish have been tough to get, were at that frustrating time where you can see them but won’t bite. The Back Creek jetty has given up a few.

   Off the rocks Bonito, Tailor, Bream and Drummer are coming in with fish off most ledges but watch the swell.

Beach Fishing through the week has been productive with Smoky Beach giving up some nice Tailor, Bream and Dart while on Gap Beach a few Whiting are in the bag as well.

May 15, 2020

   In only fair conditions blue water fisho’s ventured outside last week for pretty good results with the Spotted Mackerel off Grassy Head in cooling water. Most boats got fish and in some cases having the Mackerel all around the boat. No sign of any Spanish or Wahoo again through the week hopefully it is not a sign that the season may be over. Bottom fish were tough to entice with fisho’s heading as far as Nambucca to find a Snapper or a Pearl Perch. In front of the Jail Bonito and Mac Tuna are all over the place with some nice Tailor coming in as well. Out wider there has been a few Jewfish caught, with Snapper and Mowies around the Dot. Fish Rock has some big King Fish around it at the moment hitting Jigs in close. 

   In the river Jewfish have gone a little quite after good catch numbers last week. Flathead have been on the sand towards the mouth of the river on the tide changes. Stacks of Bream are building along the Break Wall along with good shows of Blackfish which is a good sign even though there not really hungry at the moment. Further up river some Flathead were reported around Rainbow, Clybucca and up towards Jerseyville. These fish don’t have any size about them but still, tasty critters anyway. There are a Whiting or two around Kinchela but there’s a lot of water between them.

On the Beaches Main Beach around the Boulders has been producing a few Bream and the odd Whiting. It has been a hit and miss thing off Smoky and Gap beaches with a few Whiting, Bream and Flathead coming in with the odd Tailor. The problem is at the moment it’s hard to find a good hole along the beach.

May 8, 2020

   Reasonable conditions were with us last week but the water temperature has cooled around Grassy Head. There were still fair numbers of Spotted Mackerel about more keen on taking a Pilchard than live Bait. Fisho’s heading further north around Scotts found some nice Snapper and the odd Tusky. No reports of Spanish through the week but a Wahoo or two were caught keen to hit the trolled lures. Out on the wide grounds around the FAD there are Dolphin Fish but most are under size. Out in front of the Jail, Bonito and Mac Tuna are in numbers while the odd Tailor have been in close. Fish Rock has had some nice Snapper around it very early in the mornings with some nice Kings through the day.

   There have been a few Jewfish caught in the river off the Break wall with some around the 16 to 20 kilo mark. Shovel Nose Sharks will annoy you at the mouth of the river. Good numbers of Bream are along the walls with the odd Blackfish starting to show up. Flathead were a little harder to find through the week with a few caught around the cleaning tables of the boat ramp, Jerseyville in the shallows using Plastics while Clybucca has plenty of smaller units through the Cut. If you are chasing the Whiting, after a fantastic season you will still find a few up around Kinchela and Smithtown.

It is a great time to get up early and fish Smoky or Gap beach for a Tailor or two, and if they are not playing the game look for some nice Bream, Whiting or a Sand Flathead while you watch the sun come up. Oh and you might want to rug up.

May 01, 2020

   What a difference a week makes. A wintery blast of south westers cooling things down last weekend. Outside fisho’s early last week fished Grassy for Spotted Mackerel and a few Spanish in around 22 to 23deg water. Live bait is a hit and miss thing at the moment but fish were caught on Pilchards and larger dead baits for the Spanish. On the bottom, out a little wider you will find good numbers of Pearl Perch being caught with some fair Snapper and Tuskies in the mix. Off the Jail it has been a little slow with one or two Wahoo caught along with a few Long Tail Tuna. Kings have been around Fish Rock with some nice fish amongst them.

    The river has been fishing ok but you will need to find somewhere out of the wind. Clybucca has a few Flathead on the drop offs where you may find a Whiting or two. Around to the oyster racks Bream are starting to show up to feed with best results early mornings. Up river has been producing a few Flathead and Whiting but it is still a little dirty up there. More Blackfish were caught through the week but mostly up towards Stuarts Point with only the odd one off the Breakwall.

   Once again there has been some great King Fish action off the rock ledges in front of the Jail and down around the Lighthouse with fair numbers of Drummer and Tailor coming in as well. Off the Beaches Smoky and Gap again have some nice Tailor being caught with Bream, Dart and the odd good Whiting. Main Beach has a few Bream but there has been some weed coming in making the fishing tough.

April 24, 2020

It has been like a car park off Grassy with locals having it all to themselves as good numbers of Spotted Mackerel were caught through the week. Spanish were a little harder to find but the ones caught were quality fish. The boys that bottom bounce didn’t miss out either with some nice Reds about around Grassy’s wider grounds and up towards Scotts Head. There were a few Pearl Perch, Tuskies and the odd Trag out of the same location. Out in front of the Jail there has been one or two Wahoo and Cobia about with some nice Jewfish reported as well. Fish Rock has a few Kings and the odd Pelagic showing up down south.

  Flathead have been on the bite around the Boat ramp and down in front of the Tavern. If you can find some Herring you will be on track for that nice Lizard in the bag. Good numbers of Bream along the walls but they are mainly smaller fish at the moment. Up river to Kinchela good Whiting are still on the bite with some nice fish caught in the darker hours. A few schools of Blackfish are starting to come into the River and Creek, early days but the odd one has been caught already. Don’t worry if you can’t get green weed yet, the weed flies are doing the trick.

Off the rocks good Kingfish have been caught with a few around the 10 kilo mark. Tuna and Bonito are in numbers as well. Off the Beaches the Whiting are starting to slow down on Smoky and Gap Beach but some nice Bream Tailor were caught last week along with a few Flathead in the calm conditions.

April 17, 2020

   Last week saw locals back on the water with some cracker days and nice blue water on a flat ocean. Good numbers of Spotted Mackerel are around Grassy and Scotts Head along with a few Spanish in the mix. Slimies are the gun bait but the spotties will take a Pilchard. Sharks again were a major problem taking fish and playing havoc on you gear. On the bottom there have been a few Tuskies, Snapper and Pearl Perch. Off the wide grounds Bar Cod were brought up in a few locations. Better numbers of Wahoo around through the week with good fish caught from Grassy down to Fish Rock. Bonito and Tuna are about while some nice Kings were caught down south.  

    In the river Flathead numbers have been good with some big fish amongst them. Bream are everywhere at the moment but it’s tough to find on big enough to rip a fillet off it. Up river Whiting are still on the bite with Worms and Nippers premium bait on these fish. There are a few Mangrove Jacks starting to appear along the walls, but you will lose some gear trying to find them.   Blackfish are in patches along the walls but they are very timid at this early stage.

    Off the Rocks plenty of small Kings are being caught with some nice Tailor off the ledges from Little Bay down to The Lighthouse. Drummer, Tarwhine and Tuna are also in the mix.

 Off the beach Smoky and Gap are still producing Whiting, Bream and the odd Tailor. If it goes quiet try a plastic bait for a Flathead in close to the breakers with some nice fish caught last week.

April 3, 2020

After many weeks we finally have great water off Grassy Head. This has brought good numbers of Spotted Mackerel and the odd Spanish back to this area. On the bad side this area is loaded with Sharks praying on your catch. A few Fisho’s are also heading further north with some good results. On the bottom there are a few Reds coming in but mostly just legal fish with the odd Pearl Perch amongst them. Off the Jail there have been a few Spotted Mackerel with a couple of nice Wahoo starting to show up. Mac Tuna are in good numbers along the coast with a thumper or two amongst them. Kings are around Fish Rock and Green Island while Black Rock is still holding a few Mackerel and Cobia. You will need to search for bait because the normal Bait grounds have been slow.

   It has been tough to find that elusive Jewfish in the river so maybe search for one of those monster Macleay Flathead that have been showing up over the last few weeks. Bream are all along the walls but the big units are missing in action this week. Whiting and Flathead are around Clybucca up to Fisherman’s in fair numbers with a run in tide more productive. Past Jerseyville the Whiting numbers are good taking Nippers and Worms.

   Rock Hoppers are getting amongst some nice Tailor with a few Kings and Tuna. One or two Spanish have been caught off the ledges around Hat Head.

The beaches all are fishing well for Whiting and Bream with Smoky giving up a few Tailor in the mix.

March 20, 2020

   Here we are right in the middle of Mackerel season and their play ground up off Grassy and Scotts Head is empty. We are not seeing the good water come in close up there                 so sadly there has been no action at all. Jims and Cols hole, Jail Peak and other locations in front of the Jail are producing Spotted Mackerel, the odd Cobia and whispers of a Wahoo through the week. The Dot has been holding a few Snapper and Mowies on the bottom. Further south Long Tail Tuna are in fair numbers with plenty of Bonito and Mac Tuna in the mix. Fish Rock and Green Island have some Kings hanging around with the odd good fish amongst them. Slimies are a little hard to come by some mornings but plenty of Yakkas and Scads.

    The Break Wall is still the place to be with good Whiting being caught along with heaps of Bream and a few Flathead. Clybucca is fishing well for Flathead and Whiting while Stuarts Point has had some cracker Whiting coming in through the week. Jerseyville has had some nice Bream off the new Boat ramp with a deep hole just there. Further up river a few fish were found but your best bet is towards the mouth.

   The best fishing at the moment is off the beaches. Gap Beach has some great Whiting coming in while Smoky has Whiting and Bream in numbers with the odd Flathead. Back Beach has some Whiting while Main Beach has produced some good fish around the Boulders up to the boat ramp at the Jail.

Of the ledges a few Long Tail Tuna have been caught with a few Bonito on spinners.

March 13, 2020

Things are starting to return back to normal with some nice water coming down. The mackerel action around Grassy Head is still slow with only a few caught through the week but there are good numbers of Snapper coming in and water quality is improving every day so it won’t be long before it produces Spotties again. It is a different story out in front of the Jail where between Jims hole and the Jail Peak Spotted Mackerel are in fair numbers with a few Cobia in the mix. One or two small Black Marlin have been hooked out of this location along with plenty of unwanted Sharks. Down towards Fish Rock, King Fish, good numbers of Mac Tuna and a few Long Tail Tuna are on the bite. 

    The river continues to produce good Whiting off the Break Wall along with quality Bream taking live Worms and nippers. It is a mystery where the Jew Fish have gone but it is not only here, Port and Nambucca Rivers are shy of them as well. Flathead did not like that dirty water but as it clears good fish have been caught in front of the Tavern and the Boat Shed for the land based fisho’s, while up around Clybucca, Rainbow Reach and Stuarts Point Lizards to 80 cm have been caught. Jerseyville is fishing well with the better water quality holding Whiting around the shallows near the Bridge.

Beach fishing has been very productive with Smoky and Gap Beach fishing well for good Whiting and quality Bream. Towards Hat Head Flathead are in numbers with some nice fish amongst them. Back Beach continues to have a Whiting or two while you will also get them around the Boulders on Main Beach. Plenty of action of the ledges this week with Drummer, Tuna and a 14 kilo Spanish caught through the week.

March 6, 2020

As the dirty water continues to flow out of our river fisho’s venturing outside are forced out wider to get that cleaner water. There are a few Snapper coming in off Grassy and Scotts Head with the odd Pearl Perch but unfortunately no sign of any Mackerel out of this location. There were a couple of Spotties caught off the Jail amongst the good numbers of Mac Tuna and Bonito. Sharks are a problem again on que for our late Mackerel season. Not much to report from out at the FAD but a strong current and a few Dollies. Fair Kings around Green Island and Fish Rock to be caught with some good Mac Tuna down there as well. It has been tough getting live Bait around the buoys.

There have been a few Flathead coming in out of the dirty water with the Breakwall producing some nice fish. Good numbers of Bream and Whiting continue to be on the bite along the Wall as well. Through the Cut, Whiting and Flathead are working in the shallow water. Now is the time to use those double clutch lures in half a meter of water to disturb the bottom to get their attention. We have had reports of some nice Bream around the Boat Ramp at Jerseyville, there is an eddy there so you can fish light.

The place to be at the moment is the beaches. Smoky Beach has been producing some cracker Bream and Whiting with a Tailor or two in the mix. Gap Beach is fishing well also, just watch the tracks down to the beach. Closer to home Back Beach has a few Whiting towards the Breakwall while on Main Beach you can pick up a feed around the Boulders.

February 19, 2020

The blue water is trying to make its way down but the coast but with the flow out of the river it’s keeping the good water at bay. Late last week Spotted Mackerel started to show up off Grassy Head and a few out in front of the Jail. Out a little wider there were Snapper in about 60 meters with some nice fish amongst them. A good current line is in close to Hat Head at the moment with Point Plummer producing some nice Spanish Mackerel on live bait. Fish Rock produced a few Cobia last week with the best going around 30 kilo. There are positive signs that it is about to fire up for a late summer run.

Well the dirty water keeps coming down and will be that way for a while; the good news is there are fish in it. Most fish are from the Boat Ramp down to the mouth. Along the Break wall thumper Whiting are being caught around Jew Bite with good numbers of Bream coming in along the Wall. There were a few Jewfish caught through the week, finally making an appearance in the dirty water. I would give the fishing a miss up river unless you are after Mud Crabs that are getting about. Around the Cut the odd Flathead are being caught in the shallows around Clybucca but there is a lot of mud making its way to the bottom.

The beaches are producing some very nice Whiting and Bream flushed out of the river. Main Beach between the Boulders and the Wreck is working well while Smoky has a few Tailor in the mix.

February 14, 2020

A washout, that’s all you could say about last week.  Only a few boats ventured out for unfortunately very little result. There is a definite current line out there so hopefully it won’t be long before we get some good water coming in. There is a torrent of water coming down from the water catchment areas up river which is playing havoc with the tides in the river. The good news is there are some cracker Bream and Whiting being caught along the Break Wall in that chocolate water. I think bait is your preferred choice against lures Live Worms and Nippers have been working well. It is not easy fishing with the flow of water but definitely worth a shot. Tarwhine, Grunter, Moses Perch and Fork Tail Catfish are all in the mix. The only thing the fresh is not holding are the Jewfish, apart from a few Schoolies they seem to be missing in action. Upriver the fishing has been slow there is a heap of weed coming down so I would give that a miss for a week or so. Clubucca has a few Whiting coming in with good numbers of Mud Crabs in the traps.

With the flush out of the river our Beaches can fire up, Main Beach has some nice Whiting being caught with a Bream or two around the Boulders. The north and south tracks down to Gap Beach are tricky at the moment so Smoky Beach might be the go with Bream and Whiting in good numbers coming out of the surf.

February 07, 2020

What a week, we needed the rain but the wind has been a pain. There were a few keen fisho,s headed out through the week but all finding the conditions very uncomfortable. The good news is the sea temps are rising again and nice warm currents are heading south so it is looking good once the weather settles. But this week all the positive reports are coming from Fish Rock where there were some nice King Fish pulled out, but unless you have iron guts, take a pill because it’s rough. There has been plenty of Bait on the bait grounds but no reports of any Pelagics or bottom fish this week.

The river is dirty but good Bream have been caught along the Break Wall on the tide changes. You will lose some gear but for that classic 40cm Bream it’s worth it. There has been the odd Jewfish out of the same location but this should improve on the full moon due this week. Up river Flathead are in fair numbers around the boat ramp and out of the hole in front of the Tavern. Spencer’s Creek has a few Flathead, Bream and Whiting also it’s worth throwing a Crab trap in there for a Muddy or two. Clybucca has a few Flathead hanging in the mouth of the small creeks as the tide starts to run out.

Smoky Beach has been hard to fish in these current conditions but there are reports of some nice Whiting and Bream out of the surf. Gap Beach may offer a little more protection from the elements and you normally come home with a feed from this location.

January 31, 2020

Relentless North Easters are causing havoc with the blue water fisho’s but it is that time of the year. The water has gone cold and dirty after the rains and with that the great run of small Black Marlin has halted. Up off Grassy the Mackerel have slowed down with just the odd Spottie being landed. On the bottom there are a few Snapper and a Pearly or two but you need to search for that reefy bottom. Fish Rock and Green Island are giving up a few Kings but none of any size. The plus side is there are plenty of Slimies about on the bait grounds.

The dirty water in the river is certainly not putting the Flathead off with some cracker fish caught through the week. Off the Breakwall there were a few Jewfish caught with conditions perfect for these fish. Good numbers of Bream are about with the best weighed going 1.55kg cleaned. Moses Perch or Finger mark or they are called sometimes are also in good numbers, these fish eat well so keep them if you’re light on the days catch. Up around Clybucca and Fisherman’s Reach fair Whiting have been caught with the odd Flathead. Jerseyville up to Kinchela the water is really dirty so no reports from up that way this week.

Rock Hopper are getting a few Kings off the Light House ledges with one weighed in at the shop going 14 kilo caught in pretty choppy conditions.

Smoky Beach has a few Whiting starting to appear with some nice Bream. Gap Beach I am told has the odd Tailor with good numbers of Whiting as well.

January 17, 2020

I am happy to report the first run of Spotted Mackerel have arrived through the week off Grassy Head with a couple of crews bagging out on these toothy critters. Sadly conditions changed and they disappeared but they will be back with a vengeance. There have been some nice Reds out of the same area with one or two Pearl Perch in the bag as well. Off the Jail small Black Marlin are in close with most hooked around the 40 kilo mark. Out at the FAD a few Dolphin Fish are around it but you need to be early on the marks. Mack Tuna and the odd Yellow Fin were reported out the front with a run of Bonito in close. Green Island and Fish Rock are giving up a King or two around them.

Land based fisho”s are struggling to hook a nice Flathead in the river, I would be trying in front of the Tavern on the tide turn, it’s a little snaggy but good drop off’s produce good fish. Rainbow Reach can also be a good location with School Jew, Flathead and Bream that haunt that deeper water. Clybucca has been productive with Whiting and Flathead in numbers for the boaties. A few Mangrove Jacks are starting to appear in the deeper holes up river and don’t be surprised if there is a Cobia or two around your boat. Herring are in numbers again around the jetties and ramps, worth the effort for a great bait.

The beaches are now starting to fire up with Smoky Beach fishing well for nice Whiting, Dart and Bream on worms and Pippis. Gap Beach has been good while Little Bay has a few Whiting coming in. Back Beach can be a hot spot for sand Flathead at the mouth on a run out tide using Whitebait on a small ganged hook.

January 10, 2020

Firstly from all of us here at Rocks Marine Bait and Tackle we wish you all a happy and safe new year and we thank you for your continued support last year.

We should be used to it but the North Easters battered us again over Xmas but with a few days of South between them Fisho’s got out to wet a line. Grassy head fished ok for a few Snapper and Tuskies but the water went cold and with that came only a sniff of Spotted Mackerel with only two or three caught. Out on the wide grounds in great water Dolphin Fish were around the FAD but have thinned out over the last week. One or two Bar Cod have been lifted around the same location. There have been small Blacks in front of the Jail with a Striped Marlin around 90 kilo caught in 40 meters. Kings are around Fish Rock amongst the Rats with a few Cobia starting to show up around Black Rock.

The River has been a little tough with some nice Flathead coming in and with a few Bream along the walls you should get yourself a feed. Whiting are still way up river starting from Jerseyville right up to Fredo. The Break Wall is giving up a few Jew Fish but nothing of any size. If you head up through the cut towards Stuarts Point you should find a Whiting there. Heaps of Bass are schooling around Green Hills, waiting for the rains to get up river, they are a great sport fish but please release them back in to the pools.

Smoky Beach has good numbers of Whiting coming in with lots of throw backs but the odd nice fish amongst them. Bream, Dart and Flathead have also been in the mix. Gap Beach is also worth a fish with a few Tailor hanging around during first light.

December 13, 2019

Some warmer blue water has come in through the week with the few days of Southerly winds, but we are still waiting for that first Mackerel to be caught for the season. Off Grassy and Scotts Head some nice Snapper were taken up to around 6 kilo with one or two Pearlies in the bag. Tusk Fish are starting to appear as well. Out on the wide grounds Dolphin Fish are in good numbers while a bait down deep should get you a Cod or two. Off the Jail the Dot is producing a few Snapper, Mowies and assorted reef fish. Flathead are on the gravel in front of the Lighthouse as are Spanner Crabs (Just check the local restrictions). Fish Rock and Green Island has had some King Fish action through the week.

Last week we saw quite a few Jewfish caught in the river, no monsters but very presentable fish. Flathead are full on with some big fish being hooked. The boaties seem to be getting most of the action but still the land based fisho’s are catching their share Lizards as well. Whiting are a hit and miss adventure with the hot spot this week being the shallows around Jerseyville. Through the Cut and up to Stuarts Point there have been a few Whiting and Flathead around the drop off’s on the way up. The Break Wall has some nice Bream and Flathead around just on the tide changes.

There has been the odd Tailor caught off the rocks maybe the result off the cooler water last week. Good numbers of Bream and Tahwine along with one or two Drummer coming in.

Off the Beaches things were a little quite with a few Whiting and Bream off Smoky and Gap Beach. Hopefully this will pick up with the better water conditions.

December 6, 2019

Much better conditions last week saw many guys hit the ocean to head out for a day on the water. The water temp has gone cold with the North Easters so it has been a little tough out there. Grassy produced a few Snapper and Pearl Perch on the bottom with better results out in around 60 meters. Out at the FAD there are some Dolphin Fish but it has been a little hit and miss over the last few weeks. There were no reports of any Pelagics through the week but it won’t be long. Down south to Fish Rock you will find King Fish with the odd Snapper in close on Plastics.

One again our river is giving up plenty of Flathead with many caught over 80cm. Live herring and Mullet seem to be doing the trick but they also are a sucker for a well presented Plastic lure. Good numbers of Whiting are about around the shallows at Jerseyville with Nippers and Worms the gun bait. This is the time to use the Sugapens our other surface lures to entice these tasty critters. There are still the odd Jewfish being caught off the Break Wall while in close Bream are in numbers. Bass fishing past Kempsey is full on with stacks of fish on the bite at the moment. The boys tell me Spinner Baits are working well up there.

On the beaches Smoky has been fishing well for Whiting and Bream with a few Flathead as well in the mix. Gap beach has been ok with a few Whiting and Dart in the bag. Main beach in town is tough with plenty of swimmers here at the moment but nice Bream are being caught late afternoon around the Boulders.

November 29, 2019

What a shocker week with only one or two fishable days outside there is not much to report. A few boats headed north to Grassy Head for the odd Snapper and a few other bottom feeders in green cooler water. For those battling the seas out at the FAD did find some nice Dolphin fish, hard work though. In front of the Jail the pros are getting a good run of Bonito. Off the Lighthouse There are plenty of Flathead in close to get you a feed. Fish Rock and Green Island is giving up a few King fish.    The boys are telling me fair numbers of bigger Slimies   are on the bait grounds, which is a good sign of things to come.

Our river is producing one of the best runs of Jewfish we have seen for a while. Fish mostly caught at late afternoon in to dark have been up to 20 kilo. Live bait has been productive as have the bigger plastics towards the river mouth. Moving up river Flathead have been in good numbers with the odd big fish amongst them. Plastics, hard bodies or bait, it doesn’t seem to matter what you throw at them as long as you are in the right location. Whiting have been around Fisherman’s Reach and up around Clybucca. Jerseyville has also been a hot spot with Worms and Nippers around the shallows while some big Whiting are further up river at Kinchela. Along the walls there are stacks of small Bream eager to rip your bait off the hook.

Rock Hoppers are getting a few Drummer, bonito, Bream and the odd King with a report of a nice Cobia taken off the ledges through the week.

On the beaches Whiting, Bream and Dart are in fair numbers off Smoky and Gap Beach.

November 15, 2019

It has been like on fog on the water through the week with all the smoke around after the fires. I am not sure the affect it has on the fish bite but it has been slow over the past few weeks. Off Grassy and Scotts most fish have been caught on the wider grounds with a few fair Snapper and Pearl Perch coming into the boat. On a positive note good numbers of Dolphin Fish are around the FAD and if you are heading down to Fish Rock and Green Island you should pick up a nice feed of King Fish.  In the deeper water there were a couple of Cod brought up through the week.

It has been the same story in the river with not much action apart from the one or two Jewfish caught at night off the Break Wall. Definitely it is more productive further up river with some nice catches of Flathead off the drop offs around Kinchela. Whiting are being caught through the Cut towards Stuarts Point or down through Clybucca, the golden hole and Andersons inlet. Smaller keeper Flathead have been caught out of the same locations. Sugarpen and Double Clutch lures are working a treat on the Whiting and Flathead around Jerseyville. Back Creek is fishing well for Bream and Whiting on the full tide.

Smoky and Gap Beach has some nice Whiting coming in but there were National Park closures through the week with the fires making it tough to get down there. Main Beach fished ok for the odd Whiting and Bream as did the headlands around Horseshoe Bay.

November 1, 2019

It was a little joggley out there this week but there are always keen fisho’s out to get a feed. Grassy fished ok through the week with fair catches of Snapper, Pearl Perch and Trag coming in. you need to hunt around though because one crew did well in about 30 meters but most boats are heading to the wider grounds to pull their fish up. There were a few Dolphin Fish around the FAD but you need to get luck with the conditions. The cod grounds have fired up through the week with some nice fish coming out of the deeper water. There were quality King Fish coming from the Wreck and around Fish Rock, well worth a trip down there.

There were good numbers of Flathead caught last week out of many locations in the Macleay with a few heading towards that magic meter mark. It is a good sign that these fish have become more active as it warms up. Whiting have been on the bite up river towards Kinchela again this week with some thumpers amongst them. The odd Jewfish have been caught off the Breakwall with best reported around 10 kilo while Flathead are being caught out of the same location. Bream are along the walls but there are a lot of undersize fish with them. Clybucca is producing fish with Bream, Whiting and Flathead coming in from the back waters.

On the beaches Smoky has some nice Whiting and Dart being caught, if you are driving on the beach it is very soft as you get on with a few fisho’s bogged this week. Gap is fishing well for Dart, Bream and Whiting while the headlands around Horseshoe and the Surf Club are producing cracker Bream at the moment.

November 1, 2019

It was a little joggley out there this week but there are always keen fisho’s out to get a feed. Grassy fished ok through the week with fair catches of Snapper, Pearl Perch and Trag coming in. you need to hunt around though because one crew did well in about 30 meters but most boats are heading to the wider grounds to pull their fish up. There were a few Dolphin Fish around the FAD but you need to get luck with the conditions. The cod grounds have fired up through the week with some nice fish coming out of the deeper water. There were quality King Fish coming from the Wreck and around Fish Rock, well worth a trip down there.

There were good numbers of Flathead caught last week out of many locations in the Macleay with a few heading towards that magic meter mark. It is a good sign that these fish have become more active as it warms up. Whiting have been on the bite up river towards Kinchela again this week with some thumpers amongst them. The odd Jewfish have been caught off the Breakwall with best reported around 10 kilo while Flathead are being caught out of the same location. Bream are along the walls but there are a lot of undersize fish with them. Clybucca is producing fish with Bream, Whiting and Flathead coming in from the back waters.

On the beaches Smoky has some nice Whiting and Dart being caught, if you are driving on the beach it is very soft as you get on with a few fisho’s bogged this week. Gap is fishing well for Dart, Bream and Whiting while the headlands around Horseshoe and the Surf Club are producing cracker Bream at the moment.

Report 18/10/19

Seas were a little lumpy over the weekend but that didn’t stop fisho’s heading out. There are some cracker Snapper being caught off Grassy and Scotts Head up to 6 kilo, some are still being caught in close and depending on the current out around 60 meters has also been productive. Pearl Perch are in fair numbers while out wider Long Fin Perch are coming in as well. A few Dolphin Fish are around the FAD but it’s still early stages for bigger Fish. Good numbers of Flathead are on the Gravel in front of the Lighthouse. King Fish, as always are around Fish Rock with plenty of Rats off Green Island.

There are signs of a very healthy Macleay River as summer approaches with a heap of Bait Fish about and a little color in the water. Up around Jerseyville Whiting are in good numbers while plenty of Flathead around the 50cm have been landed. Clybucca and up towards Stuarts Point is fishing well for Bream around the Oyster Racks while Flathead are on the drop offs hitting plastics and hard body lures. If your bait fishing try the deeper water with a well presented Mullet strip for that bigger lizard. Bream are feeding around the Breakwall with some nice fish caught first light.

The Rock Hoppers have hit a few Jewfish off the ledges around the Jail with plenty of Bream and the odd Drummer coming in.

On the beaches Whiting and Bream are on Smoky Beach while Gap Beach continues to produce some nice fish early in the mornings. Little Bay is always worth a try for a good Whiting or two on an incoming tide.

Report 11/10/19

There were some nice Snapper about through the week with really good results in close around the 30 meter mark. A few of these Reds went around the 8 kilo mark with good numbers around 4 and 5 kilo. Pearl Perch have been in a little deeper water with the odd good fish amongst them. Out wider the charters are doing well with Long Fin Perch and a few Cod on the bottom. The FAD had some nice Dolphin Fish around it but they were not interested in taking anything you threw at them. Off the Jail there are still good numbers of Flathead on the gravel with the odd Snapper and Mowie off Jims Hole. Fish Rock was a hit and miss situation with a few Kings coming in with a Red or two in the bag. There is a bit of current out there at the moment and with the wind we had through the week it has made it tough to fish.

 There have been some Flathead caught through the week as the water slowly starts to warm. Clybucca produced some nice fish as did Fisherman’s Reach and Jerseyville taking fish baits and Lures. Along the walls you will find Bream and odd Blackfish or two still hanging around. The Break Wall has plenty of Shovelies at the moment with reports of a few thumper Flathead coming in as well. Around Rainbow Reach and Jerseyville fisho’s have had some GT action ripping in to medium surface lures. Whiting are taking Worms and Nippers up river from Jerseyville to Smithtown.

On the Beaches Gap Beach continues to fish well for Whiting and Bream while Smoky has Dart, Whiting and Bream in the gutters. Just a reminder the Council are now issuing a 2 week pass to drive on the beaches for only $20.00 and are available at our store.

Report 20/9/19

Out wide between 80-90m has been pretty consistent for bar cod and blueye trevalla. There’s a fair bit of current, and most guys are dropping down with 1kg weights. There’s the odd snapper, tuskfish and pearly out there as well, but not many.

With a week that the weather was only fair we did have some much needed rain which will help our river system with a little fresh. Fisho’s heading out last week battled to get a feed with Grassy and Scotts Head only producing a few Pearlies and Snapper with a Trag or two in the bag. Off the Jail there was a fair joggle on which made the fishing tough but there were a few Mowies and the odd Leather Jacket out a little wider caught. The Flathead grounds off the lighthouse produced a few while the Spanner Crab guys managed a feed as well. Fish Rock was probably the place to be with King Fish in fair numbers. DPI tells me the FAD should be back out by the end of the month.

There were a few Luderick caught off the Breakwall but nothing like last week’s bag outs. Bream are about but mostly smaller fish taking the baits. Flathead seem to be more active with some nice fish caught in the slower water around Clybucca, Andersons and up towards Stuarts Point. The Causeway end of Back Creek is fishing well for Flathead as well. If we can get some water with a little colour in it we should see a Jewfish or two towards the mouth of the river. With the annual Kempsey Bass Catch weekend another successful event it shows plenty of Bass are up river and well worth a trip to those majestic locations past Kempsey.

Gap Beach continues the best beach to fish with good catches of Whiting and Bream through the week. Smoky has been tough to fish with a sweep heading south but if you find a gutter there will be a fish or two in it.

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