The fishing on the Northern Beaches over the past few months has been outstanding and, unbelievably, seems to have got even better in recent weeks.

All the recognised spots on the Barrenjoey Peninsula have really lived up to expectation. Whether it is outside, deep sea, beach, rock or estuary fishing, it has been a cracking season for all the regular fishos.

Offshore, there have been some outstanding catches of quality fish at places such a Jurassic Park, O’Shaunnessy’s Reef, Long Reef Wide, the Wall and White Rock.

All of these spots have consistently provided happy hunting grounds for locals and visitors for great bags of snapper to 8kg, kingfish, cobia and, earlier in the season, some strange but exciting species such as spotted and Spanish mackerel, spotted and spangled emperor and even small marlin close to Long Reef and Newport Reef.

Tim from Long Reef landed a spangled emperor of 4.85 kg as well as some monster snapper.

A number of local fishos have also reported picking up great bags of flathead on the drifting grounds off Mona Vale, Palm Beach, Narrabeen to Collaroy and at Curl Curl in around 120’ to 140’.

The night brigade has been cleaning up on quality teraglin and jewfish from the northern grounds such as East Reef and Trawleys Reef. I saw several good-sized jewies around 8kg landed by one very pleased local recently.

Trolling Rapala and Halco deep divers in close to the shoreline at Avalon, Whale Beach and Newport Reef has accounted for some large kingfish.

The Northern Beaches offer such an abundance of opportunities to local and visiting fishos.

Beach fishing is proving extremely rewarding with places such as the southern corner of Avalon, Dee Why, North Narrabeen and Warriewood all producing bream, whiting, flathead and the occasional jewfish.

Newport Beach is a favourite of mine where I have recently caught several jewfish over 10kg. The southern corner near the pool is a great spot but patience and top quality bait are vital to achieve results.

My good friend and former NSWFM reporter Col Buckley has accounted for several nice bags of whiting and bream on live beach worms, which he seems to be able to catch far easier than we can.

Some outstanding catches of surf bream have been taken by local fisho Chris Leslie, with several over 1kg. Chris uses live beachworms or fresh Hawkesbury prawns.

Narrabeen Lake is fishing well despite the heavy rains, with several unusual catches including a 1.7kg snapper caught at the Ocean Street bridge.

A 2kg salmon was also taken by 11-year-old local Tommy Watts near Wimbledon avenue on live worms.

The shore near the Wakehurst Parkway parking area is producing good bream, flathead and the odd whiting. Try the caravan park area for tailor and flatties.

There have also been reports from various parts of the lake of mud crabs being landed on rod and reel after the rain.

All in all, it is great fishing on the Peninsula at the moment so get out there!