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Bream hit the lake flats
  |  First Published: September 2013



The good news is the majority of the cold stuff is now behind us and we can start looking forward to Summer.

Things really start kicking into gear now for anglers on Lake Macquarie. It can be a windy month but it can also deliver some great fishing.

Even if it’s a little breezy at times, both air and water temps are now slowly on the rise and the fishing activity is as well.

The lake now becomes a great place for anglers chasing bream and this certainly is my prime month for targeting big Lake Mac bream on lures.

We now see some very good bream action on the flats. Shallow-running hardbodies lures that swim in 30cm-1.5m are ideal for this situation.

Your best bet is to have a good variety of colours and find what’s working on the day.

Bait fishers will also score some great bags of quality bream this month. Very lightly weighted baits fished just under small floats work great in very shallow water.

In slightly deeper water, around 1.5m or a little more, I prefer a very light sinker and a long trace of fluorocarbon leader. The key to the fluoro leader is that it is nearly impossible to see under water and that helps the bait appear more natural.

SALTS SALMON

The salmon are still about in big numbers with no shortage of them in Salts Bay for anglers looking for hard-fighting sport fish.

I know I have said it before, but they are ideal fish to get the kids involved. The fight is a thrill for the kids that will have them begging you to take them out for more.

Those looking for a good feed of flathead will not be disappointed. There are reasonable numbers of 40cm-55cm but also some fat fish up into the 80cm range.

The good news is that all the big girls that I’ve heard of being caught are being released, which is great to see.

Bait fishos drifting fresh strip baits are doing really well and those casting 4”-5” lures are certainly not missing out.

I find that white is one of the gun colours for soft plastics when targeting flathead but when the fish are a little shut down, try something a little brighter. That often does the trick to turn on a solid bite.

There have been a few good squid coming from out the front and these make for some of the best salt and pepper squid you will ever taste, so it’s well worth spending a few hours to procure a good feed of fresh calamari.

OFFSHORE

Offshore anglers also have plenty to look forward to, with rising water temps and the anticipation of a season ahead.

Those targeting tuna have been out there picking up a few but it’s always a lottery how long the fish will last. A spread of lures is the best way to locate any schools, then cubing would be the best option once the fish are located.

The reefs are holding some solid kingfish to 12kg and snapper to 6kg. The kings are falling to live baits down deep around the reefs and the reds are taking cut bait, with bonito strips the standout at the moment.

Game crews are starting to gear up for the marlin season ahead. The stripes are generally not around in numbers this early but it won’t be long now before a few captures start to filter through. It is also a good time of year to hopefully tangle with the odd early season big bull mahi mahi.

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