Warmer and more settled weather has things moving along quite nicely around the Northern Beaches, with good showings of 8kg-plus kingfish around Pittwater, Lion Island, Barrenjoey, Palm Beach and Long Reef.

There are plenty of smaller yet still legal (65cm) size as well.

The outside reef system is also showing signs of good, consistent mixed bags of fish.

The beaches are reacting to the longer, warmer days with Narrabeen holding some great quality whiting, especially at night and on the run-out tides. Fish the high tide and the first two hours of the run out for the best results.

Fresh baits such as live beachworms, pipis or nippers are the baits to use and fish as light as possible. Try the Octavia and Loftus Street areas for a quick result.

Marc Jnr. has taken a couple of good-sized jewfish over the past few weeks all on fresh squid bait, with one off Dee Why of 6 kg. He has also taken a few soapies at the southern end of Newport Beach.

Other local anglers have reported taking reasonable jewies off the southern rock shelf at Curl Curl Beach.

The close reefs around have improved recently with local fisho Steve Winsor recording good-sized snapper, large tailor and morwong up to 2kg. Steve reckons plenty of berley and patience are needed but results will happen.

Spots such as Long Reef Wide, Dee Why Wreck and Boultons Reef are the pick of the close reefs.

Renowned local Chris Leslie advises that there are plenty of good bream, tarwhine and trevally in close at Collaroy and Narrabeen, as well as a large number of rat kingfish being caught on squid and 7” Gulp Jerk Shads in close around the Newport Reef area.

Other reports of success around Newport Reef have been from those trolling in 6m to 14m of water using small Raptor lures or feather jigs to bag the odd large salmon and plenty of kingies.

The drifting grounds off Maitland Reef and along Mona Vale and Warriewood beaches are holding size sand flathead which, surprisingly, have been responding to larger soft plastics such as Slam Jerk Shads or Gulp 5” in orange tiger or pearl colour.

Mixed in with the flathead is the occasional squire and morwong.

The pick of the reefs at the moment are Esmeralda and Broken Bay Wide, which are holding a number of large kingfish and snapper.

A lot of the local fishing club members have been taking kings up to 10kg and reds to 5kg on big baits such as whole squid, large mullet strips and fresh bonito. Fish heavy and hold on!

Smaller yellowfin tuna have been taking trolled deep divers and small skirted lures around Twelve Mile Reef. We have also had reports of mahi mahi around 10kg here and at the wave rider buoys.

Narrabeen Lake continues to provide a good day out, with plenty of action around most parts. The local kids are having a great time taking bream, flathead, garfish, luderick and flounder.

Geoff Toovey and I caught several good-sized flathead around Wimbledon Avenue and the Sports Academy area. One flathead would have weighed more than 2.5kg and we released it back into the lake because at this time of year most flathead of this size are breeders.

Plenty of good garfish have been taken around the Ocean Street bridge area. These fish are great fun on light tackle and are a good feed as well.

Luderick are proving good fun for the locals around the caravan park and Narrabeen bridge areas.