The Narooma estuaries have been firing lately and not even the increased boat traffic that December brings should alter that.

Tuross Lake has been the standout with all likely species available using a variety of techniques.

Flathead numbers are increasing with the lower sections of the main lake and the Tuross River producing plenty of fish of 40-50cm, with the odd fish pushing 90cm.

Anglers fishing soft plastics have fared best with the bigger flatties responding to larger shad-style lures. There have been a few good fish caught on live poddy mullet, but getting the live bait can be harder than catching the fish at the moment.

Bream anglers have done well also, with bait and artificials producing.

A lot of the bream are over the shallower weed and sand banks that litter the front of the system.

At Narooma, Wagonga Inlet has been slow by its normal superb standards but this will change once the water warms.

There have still been some decent mulloway and big flathead caught, with soft plastics catching the majority of fish. The inlet is full of whitebait so concentrate your efforts where you find them.

Up past Punkella Creek, the water is quite warm in the shallows with bream, whiting and flathead the species to target. Lightly weighted baits or surface lures should turn a fish or two.

At Montague Island the kingfish have been sporadic. When they do decide to chew, the action is fast and furious with jigs and live baits both working well.

The north and western side of the island are where most of the action is.

The reefs closer to shore should keep the bottom-bouncers happy as snapper, morwong and flathead continue to do the right thing.

Almost all the local reefs north and south of Narooma are holding fish. The best at the moment would be Potato Point, to the north, where some decent snapper to 4kg have been caught.

Further out, the game fishing fraternity are licking their chops as albacore and yellowfin tuna have been keep them busy.

There have been heaps of fish to 40kg and this month we should see the first signs of striped marlin. These fish respond well to trolled skirted lures early in the season, with game crews switch-baiting also getting results. The Continental Shelf is the place to fish.

The rock fishing for bread-and-butter species like luderick and drummer has slowed to a crawl, mainly due to little or no wash with the calmer seas.

On the other hand, if you’re targeting pelagics you would have a smile from ear to ear. Kingfish, striped tuna and frigates have been caught from the Golf Course front ledge as well as High Rock at Mystery Bay. Chromed lures and whole pilchards on ganged hooks have both worked.

The beaches have been a little patchy; some days are good and others very quiet. Better beaches include Tilba, Narooma Main, Brou and Blackfellows, to the north of Potato Point.