Recent reports have been very impressive with some locals coming home with bag limits of small snapper to 1.5kg from the inshore and deeper reefs off Swansea and some good catches in Lake Macquarie.

There also have been some encouraging game reports in the lead-up to the season with water temps to 19° harbouring marlin, big albacore and yellowfin tuna to 30kg.

Lake Macquarie is up there with the best sand whiting spots in the land and if you’re land-based, there are endless spots to try.

Blacksmiths breakwall is a good start. Fish from the middle sections of the wall and cast bloodworms or beach worms into the channel where the swells break.

Other spots include Salts Bay beach, Coon Island (just behind the Swansea Gardens Caravan Park) and Swan Bay.

If you’re a boatie then the lake is your oyster, so to speak.

Some of the better include all the shallow, sandy holes on the western side of the sand islands in the drop-over area.

You should also pay attention to the numerous ‘mooring holes’ the boats make throughout Belmont Bay, Swan Bay and anywhere else in the lake, for that matter.

These sandy holes are created by the boats’ mooring chains dragging over the bottom. They offer an irresistible smorgasbord for whiting and bream.

Fish with lightly weighted leaders and with live worms and it’s very hard to miss out.

The November prawn run didn’t produce as well as expected so hopefully the December run will make up for it.

Allow seven to 10 nights after the full moon before heading out.

Remember your licence and navigation lights.

Blacksmiths Beach shows how inviting an early morning’s fishing can be instead of staying in bed.