At long last the fishing has returned to its normal state. We have a good saltwater balance in the river, and offshore the fish are playing and feeding in the warm water that is rising in temperature daily.

In the Hunter, the bass are moving upstream and also into the Williams River, with bream and flathead following them. Prawns are now heading down, making them the best bait to use. Jewfish have been taken at the junction of both rivers and should continue to move deeper into the system as you are reading this.

In the harbour, some big bream and whiting, along with blue swimmer crabs, flounder and good sized flathead are taking up residence, so dig deep into the tackle box as they are eating both soft and hard lures. Use the hard bodies in the very deep water and try flicking softies over the sand banks.

Over the reefs, the fishing is going great guns, with kingfish, snapper, nannygai and some huge squid around. Teraglin and jewfish, as well as sharks, have been the talk of the town for those spending the nights on the reefs. Live baits have been the best; try and settle in a spot and be ready just before dark. I find the top of the tide or a change in the tide to be the best time.

During the day, troll live baits as well as skirted and bibbed lures for kingfish, bonito, and cobia, which have shown up in patches.

Marlin and mahimahi have been reported out wide, but with the swells we have been getting over the last month you’ll need a big boat and to pick a good day. The Southern Canyons has been the best spot, as well as around Farm Reef. Don’t forget that Farm Reef is also a great snapper ground when using big baits.

There has been a lot of sand flathead taken off the shore break at Stockton Bight, and whiting and bream are also there. Head north when you hit the beach, as the soft sand is still very deep on the southern end. Make sure you have a valid beach permit, as I have been told the rangers are out in force following two serious accidents not long back.

For those chasing big jewfish this month, try and catch some fresh squid in the harbour before heading to Stockton, or if you are more talented than me, gather heaps of beach worms. I am hopeless at catching them, ending up with a handful of heads and maybe one or two whole worms. It isn’t from a lack of practice though; my luck getting them has never been good.

Pipis are the best bait during the day for whiting and bream, and very easy to gather. Just remember you are not permitted to remove them from the beach.

Christmas is right upon us, so it’s a great time to scan the junk mail catalogues for bargains to get a kid into fishing with their first rod and reel. Have a great fish-filled Christmas!