As a result of exceptional flooding, some great deep holes have formed in the Bega River.

These deep pockets create ideal havens for estuary perch to go about their spawning business and if they’re left to do their thing, there should be increased numbers in seasons to come.

It is illegal to possess EPs and bass from June 1 to August 31. However, they may at times be an incidental catch in this deep water for those pursuing large flathead and mulloway.

It’s important to release the perch safely back to the water in good condition.

Now that the river entrance is quite large, schools of luderick, trevally, tailor and salmon have been able to enter the system.

The luderick can be targeted with green or cabbage weed around the bridge pylons, along the rocky shore adjacent to the boat ramp or further upstream towards Black Fellow Lake on nippers and worms.

Upstream you will also encounter some reasonable black bream but don’t expect brilliant fishing because the water is extremely cold.

The salmon, tailor and trevally can be found in the deeper water down towards the entrance, where lures and bait are working well for them.

Out on the beaches there are plenty more salmon on patrol along with some tailor, jewfish and the odd bream. At night around the full moon you may tangle with gummy sharks or whaler sharks.

Out on the Tathra Wharf there is enough activity to keep anglers amused. Those salmon and tailor are passing regularly allowing anglers to target them from the wharf and the nearby rocks.

Plenty of trevally and yellowtail hang around the wharf pylons, while closer to shore luderick can be caught on weed.

Long casts out into the bay with a heavy sinker can produce quality sand flathead. Many a bag of sea garfish has come for those using a little berley, especially tuna-based, to bring the fish within range of a small piece of prawn dangling under a float.

Out on the main rock platforms are plenty of black drummer taking cunjevoi and cabbage weed. Mixed in with them are luderick and silver drummer.

Those who take the time to catch a few red crabs may also find themselves connected to some of the large blue groper in the area.

Close inshore, snapper are the flavour of the month with reefs north and south producing fish. Perch, morwong, leatherjackets and others add to the mixed bags.

On the soft bottom closer to shore, sand flathead, the odd gummy shark and red gurnard will contribute to the bag.