It’s the festive season – possibly some new fishing goodies under the tree, happy smiles on the kids’ faces and, best of all, some great fishing action.

I’ve been off the water for some time after some shoulder surgery so I can’t wait for the action this month. I’ll be giving my shoulder a good workout and also putting my good arm into action to make the most of the wonderful fishing possibilities this month.

If you’re looking for a leisurely stroll on the beach for a spot of fishing then hop on the Settlement Point ferry and head over to the North Shore and hit the beach.

Walk or drive to the best gutters and you’ll do well on bream, whiting and flathead. And don’t be surprised if you snare some good mulloway late in the day or in the early evening.

Best baits will be beach worms, pipis, pilchards and slabs of bonito. If I catch any bonito during the year I always salt the fillets before popping them in the freezer and when I pull them out, are top bait when cut into strips.

The only thing that could put a dampener on the beach fishing this month is the dreaded red weed. At the time of writing it’s already shown up, although not enough to have anglers concerned yet.

Offshore fishing should really kick into gear with the big boys chasing marlin, tuna and mahi mahi.

We have a few kayak nuts in our region now and I don’t think it will be long before one of them cracks a good tuna off Laurieton. I look forward to reports from these dedicated enthusiasts.

If you’re more confident and comfortable in a more substantial craft then troll around Point Perpendicular and if you find a school of birds working, cast metal slugs, surface lures and big soft plastics.

Bottom-bouncers will also do well. Last Summer the number of snapper caught was amazing and with the good Winter season we’ve just had, I’d bet my bottom dollar some quality fish will be caught this month.

The reds should be holding in a little deeper water than in the cooler months and soft plastics will do extremely well. Best starting are will be off Tacking Point Lighthouse in around 30m to 35m and then head further south to Petersons Reef in around the same depth adjacent to the golf course.

The estuary action this month is my favourite. I love the warm morning starts, the crisp smell of Summer air and salt water and the bevy of insect sounds that fill the air – it’s surface fishing time!

Each season I’m amazed at the number of species taken on surface lures in our estuaries, including bream, whiting, flathead, garfish, luderick and mullet.

If you want some cracker whiting this month then head to the nearest sand flat and start cranking a surface pencil or bloop a popper.

The flats opposite the Lady Nelson Wharf on the Hastings and the weed beds in Stingray Creek off the Camden Haven River are great spots to start.

If you’re looking to tackle bream then the weed beds and snags up river will be prime areas for throwing small pencil lures and fizzers.

For a bit of bait fishing in the estuary this month try prawns and whitebait for bream and flathead.

Drift with the current, keeping your bait as close to the bottom as possible.

If you’re after some whiting then worms will prove best, with Blackmans Point a great starting spot.

Those chasing garfish will be enjoy success if they head up the Maria River and berley up in one of the bays just past the Hatch. Fish with bread or peeled prawns.

The last of the run-up tide is best.

Enjoy your Christmas break and get on the water and wet a line. Take it easy, take only what you need and, above all, stay safe.