Like all the small towns on the far south coast, Eden has really quietened down after a busy summer and autumn period. The winter months still provide good fishing for the locals and any visiting anglers though.

As with the rest of the east coast, the Eden area received its fair share of rain and huge seas as a result of a couple of east coast lows. The water temperature is also dropping fast as we head deeper into winter. Summer saw the water on the local beaches get to around 22 degrees, but it’s about 17 now.

Good fishing on the beaches was had in the warm water, with sand whiting and yellowfin bream a regular catch, but the falling water temperature has seen the salmon numbers increase, with a few bigger tailor starting to show also.

There has been little to report on the game fishing scene. Warm water is out on the shelf and this is a great time of year to be fishing wide. Albacore, yellowfin and even southern bluefin tuna can be caught; the problem has been finding a break in the weather to get out there and get amongst them.

This time of year sees a good opportunity for some of the best game fishing possible, but it is only a short window when these fish are moving by, so let's hope for some good weather over the coming month.

The inshore fishing for flathead and snapper has been good and the water is starting to clear after the recent rains. The coming months are when you can expect to catch bigger snapper. Once you see the cuttlefish washing up on the beaches, it's time to chase the bigger models. Plenty of local anglers have been chasing these fish using soft plastics with good success. Once fish are found with the sounder, you need to persist in the area. White lures are the choice of many successful anglers.

Fishing in the local rivers has been good, with catches of bream, flathead and whiting taken before all the rain. As the water cleans up, the fishing will improve. All the rivers are flowing and by the looks of things more rain is on its way this winter.