Our summer season is well and truly on its way! As the winds swing round to the northeast and the water temperatures rise plenty of species are looking to come on the chew and if the early signs are any indicator this may be a cracker month to get right into ‘em.

The kingfish have moved back in from offshore to the local inshore reefs and there’s a few bruisers amongst them. Emmerson Spina fought a hard earned battle off Long Reef recently in 12m of water just recently. Emmo was down rigging live slimies when he hooked up on his Saragosa 10,000 and deep jig 200/80lb outfit. A torrid 15 minute battle had the fish boatside and after a few quick snaps had it back in the drink again.

The boys over at Oceanhunter Sportsfishing have been into the kings all year and this month is no different. Captain Mike Bamforth took Simon Chem and his mates out to the 12 mile to slow drift some yakkas and slimies, and the first drop was all it took before Simon had himself hooked up to a 1.35m fish, which was landed, tagged, photographed and released. This season is promising to be a cracker in the king department so be sure to head out with these guys if you are new to fishing or just want to brush up on your kingfish tactics.

We’re getting a few snapper from the offshore reefs now and some differing by-catch on the jigs. Oliver Evans was fishing the 50m line off Manly, just slow jigging a 30g jig on 15lb, when the long slow tugging of a good squid was recognised. A nice even retrieve allowed the boys to get the net under the squid as it broke the surface, and I dare say that this squid would have been on the dinner table a couple of hours later.

The soapy mulloway have been on the chew all winter with plenty caught on plastics, hardbodies and vibes. Matty Armistead took a run up to the mouth of Broken Bay recently targeting soapies on plastics and had some pretty reasonable success. Hopping 6.5’ white glow Gulp Nemesis plastics along the dirty water line soon had Matt’s 20lb Power Pro ripping off his Stella 4000. If you come across some good water discolouration give this method a try, you may be surprised.

Some reasonable marlin reports are filtering in as our waters warm and it looks like it might be a great season for our billfish. Paul Walmesley and his crew have landed a few stripes to 90kg lately on the smaller skirts in lumo and UV colours. Paul runs all single hooks and 200lb leader in his lures with Billmarks and Marlin Magics being his favourites. Paul and the boys fish out wide of the shelf chasing the current lines, water temperatures and feeding birds, and most of the action has been from the 300+ fathom line .

Our beach fishing is also on the up as our waters get warmer with some good bream and whiting captures from the sand. Ernie Price and David Parker have been hitting the beach in the afternoon at Collaroy beach with some terrific success. The boys have been using the king worms available here in the shop and landing whiting to 41cm and bream to 39cm.

Fishing 4kg string over a 4000 reel on a 10 foot light surf rod is perfect for this style of fishing, the light weight of this outfit enables you not only to feel every bite but to be able to fish longer and not tire so easily from holding too heavy a rod.

The fish are going to be less than 30m away, so there’s no need for something you can cast to New Zealand with, although if a school of salmon or tailor come through, tying on a 40-60g metal slug will still have you casting well beyond the breakers and in the rear surf zone.

Should you be lucky enough to hook something on one of these lighter outfits be sure to play the fish out and get off up the beach after him – there’s is only one secret to fishing… stay connected! For once the fish is is gone it’s is rarely coming back.