It’s cold but the fishing is red hot! In the past month we’ve had some extremely good sessions on some South Coast snapper on the inshore reefs in the Shoalhaven area. We’ve been fishing in depths of 15-20m with good numbers of fish hitting the decks with the better fish weighing 4kg+. Look for broken bottom and if you start catching a few red rock cod or sergeant bakers, you’re in the right area.

The snapper are loving plastics like the Z-Man 5” scented JerkshadZ in coconut ice, electric chicken and bad shad colours rigged on 3/4oz or 1/2oz jigheads. We’ve found that the fish don’t start biting until the sky goes red.

Down at St Georges Basin at this time of year we tend to concentrate on using blades in the deep water as well as slow rolling plastics such as Gulp Sandworms in camo or Ecogearaqua Prawns. We have also had some success using the Cranka Crab in the shallows at sunrise, and then also using them out deep with a slight twitch when you mark fish on the sounder. The Crab is a very light lure so it will take some time to get down to the 7m-10m depths of the basin.

The big tailor are still around, with a photo circulating recently of a 115cm greenback. Although not common, each year we see some fish of similar size being caught which can only be attributed to the fact that it’s a commercial fishing free zone. The fishing will only get better as the years go on.

Out wide we are still awaiting the arrival of the tuna. Their delay is due to the fact that we have been experiencing warm currents – warm enough to catch mahi mahi in winter, as a local tackle shop owner found out.

There have been some good numbers of kingfish around the cliffs of Jervis Bay, but you’ll need to source them out at the deeper reefs which have been holding the bigger fish. Squid are aplenty around Murrays boat ramp so catch a few for live bait before heading out.

This time of year is known for the whales’ annual northerly migration. Although they’re spectacular to watch, make sure you are aware of where they are and know the rules that are in place to protect them and you. For more information check out www.nsw.gov.au/animals/whaleregulation.htm.

Rumours are circulating that there have been quite a few mulloway caught in the deep gutters off the beaches. Generally the best bait for these are fresh slabs of tailor or mullet gang hooked. Not only have the beaches been producing but plenty of people have been getting dusted along with landing a few jewies in the River. The best spot reported seems to be around the canal, and if you’re into lures I’ve been told that the large soft vibes have been working well.

Let’s hope that next month I’ll be able to show you photos of big yellowfin and bluefin tuna sprawled across these pages.

That’s it for another month, good times and tight lines!