One of the amazing natural events that occur every year along our coast is the annual prawn run, which is good news for anglers and fish stocks.

For anglers, more prawns means more fish with most of the estuaries around Tathra hosting just as many fish as prawns. The Bega River is the go-to safe place for anglers and prawners, with Nelsons Lagoon, Wallagoot or Wapengo Lakes also carrying their fair share of stocks.

For those who wish to chase prawns, Wallagoot Lake south of Tathra is now land-locked hosting some very big specimens with easy access. The Bega River is even closer to get to and hosts plenty of prawns; although not as big as Wallagoot they are just as tasty.

If you like your fishing as much as prawning keep some of your evenings catch of prawns fresh or preferably live and get out at daylight in the Bega River using them around weed beds, drop-offs or the many rocky out crops for species such as flathead, whiting, bream, estuary perch or mulloway. Other baits that will also work well are nippers, live mullet or squirt worms.

Those wishing to use lures try matching the hatch. There are lots of prawn imitation soft plastics out there at present that work really well.

Moving further up the Bega River where the salt meets sweet, the terrestrial insects are in full noise often losing their way ending up in the drink and eventually bass tucker. The brackish freshwater sections host plenty of bass only too willing to attack a fly or well worked lure. These fish are focused on insects like cicadas or Christmas beetles making them a perfect target for surface lures or fly. Late evenings or early morning is prime time, if the cicadas are in full noise, these fish will actively feed all day.

Brogo Dam, 40 minutes north west of Tathra, is full of bass that are well on the chew providing plenty of action for anglers who are notching up cricket scores. Remember this will be governed by weather conditions; warm barmy evenings mean good fishing, cold southerly winds stay home.

Even though the rivers and lakes are firing there are lots more to areas to explore around Tathra.

The local wharf is a hot spot and, with school holidays not far off, will become a hive of activity as anglers source the many species hanging around. Species like slimy mackerel, yellowtail scad or silver trevally are great fun for young and old, while larger species like tailor, salmon, bonito or kingfish will attract the attention of more seasoned anglers.

Out at sea, the boaties are also having their share of entertainment. Whether trolling the coast looking for pelagics like kingfish, striped tuna, bonito or salmon, or bottom bouncing for beautiful succulent flathead, tigers and sandies, Tathra is renowned for providing the fish. If you’re after game fish, tuna species like yellowfin or albacore and even early season striped marlin or mako sharks are all out there awaiting you.

Have a safe and Happy Christmas and New Year, see you in 2014.

1

Yet another victim for an alert prawner.

2

Brogo dam is producing quality bass.

3

Flathead are suckers for prawn imitations, especially with some many prawns around.