Ah, that’s better… MUCH better. Water temps here in Lake Macquarie are rising nicely and the average daytime temps are also on the up. The good news about all this is that the fishing action has also been on the rise.

With water temps getting to 20°C+ and daytime temps sitting nicely in the mid 20s it’s no wonder that November is such a popular time for anglers on Lake Mac. Regardless of whether you’re an estuary angler, shore based or hitting the canyons 30nm out to sea the fish are there and willing to play ball. If you’re after a feed of fresh fish or just want to get out on the water and catch a few, now is certainly a great time to be doing so.

The lake is fishing well, and some good rain fall in the previous months has certainly helped give the lake a good flush. Due to several factors our lake does not get a great water volume change on the tide changes so it is very important to get these rainfall events and subsequent flush-outs every now and then. It keeps the water quality and conditions great for fishing.

Mulloway are certainly about at the moment, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re a lure angler or a bait angler – if you put the time and effort the rewards are there. For bait anglers squid is by far the stand-out bait. Live squid is the number one bait and they are relatively easy to come by, but if you don’t have the time or inclination to catch live squid, don’t worry – you won’t miss out. California squid have been producing plenty of quality mulloway for anglers soaking a bait, and although most fish are in that 60-8cm range there are quite a few hitting the 1m mark.

For lure anglers the shads, vibes and Threadybusters have been smashing it to say the least. The one rule you should stick to is fishing where the bait is. I cannot say it enough. No bait equals no fish on most occasions. Areas such as Bolton Point, Belmont and Valentine have been fishing very well for mulloway anglers.

Bream catches have also been on the improve. Boat hulls, wind-affected edges, and the flats are all producing. Hardbody lures are working well over the flats while soft plastics in that 2-3” range are getting great results for those anglers working the edges of the lake that have the wind blowing onto them. It really stirs the fish up and helps turn the bite on. Natural colours for both hardbodies and soft plastics are getting the better results.

Whiting have started to move about the sand flats as well which is a great sign. Not only are they a very good sportfish and target on topwater lures, they are also an extremely good tablefish. A few fillets lightly crumbed and fried certainly hit the spot.

Flathead are about, and now is one of the best times of the year to target BIG flathead and set your new PB. It is very important to handle these big girls with care, and (after some photos) do your best to send them away healthy and ready to breed. There is something special about targeting these big fish, and releasing them feels just as good.

I’d suggest larger plastics if you’re specifically targeting better quality fish. I find that 5-6” plastics and 4/0-6/0 jigheads generally do the trick. The weight of the jighead will depend on the water depth you’re working. Keep it as light as you can but heavy enough to ensure you are hitting the bottom.

Another method that works very well is slow trolling large bibbed lures. Although I like natural colours for flathead plastics I do like brighter colours for my hardbody lures when trolling for these fish. For those who also love a feed of flathead, the good news is you should find plenty of quality fish in that 45-55cm range when chasing the big girls so it won’t be too hard to manage a few for the table as well.

During the cooler months most readers would know I like to hit the deep water, but now with temps on the increase I start working shallower locations. Finding the fish in 1m of water as we enter summer is not uncommon, so work a variety of depths until you find the fish.

The offshore fishing has also improved with the rise in water temps. The bait has increased and the big fish have started to move in. If you are looking for a beakie or two this season, now is the time to start your marlin assault. I’d be sticking with a spread of lures in the 6-10” range at the moment, and I’d also ensure there were a few strings of slimies in the live well just in case you find that bait ball.

Much of the season will depend on the current but many anglers will be keen to see a good inshore small black marlin bite this year. It’s great to see when it works out that way, as there is nothing better than tangling with marlin in small but capable boats just a few nm offshore on light tackle. It really is such a buzz.

Kingfish and snapper are also about the reefs in both quantity and quality. Live baits are proving very effective, as is deep water jigging with jigs in the 150-300g range depending on depth and current. Generally those southern reefs around Texas off Terrigal have been producing, but on occasions reefs closer to home such as the Farm have also produced the goods.

Rock fishing activity has picked up as well. The warm water always sees an increase in angler activity on the local rocks as they begin their summer efforts of spinning for pelagics such as kingfish and bonito. A variety of lures will catch fish but it’s important to have a good mix as what works one day may not work the next. Usually 20-50g metals are used, and other lures such as Ocean Potion surface stickbaits can be deadly on kings and bonnies.

Floating out a live bait such as a live yakka or squid is also a good option. As we move into summer as it can be the difference between a good session and going home empty handed. As always guys and girls, take extra care when fishing the local rock platforms.

We have some good specials on at Jayro Tackle at the moment so check us out at 1/396 Pacific Hwy Belmont.