The lower reaches of the Richmond River are fishing well for mulloway, and surprisingly, snapper which have also ventured in, pushed by the rougher seas. The mulloway seem to be more active on the larger tides at night. Check out the deeper holes around the town stretch of the river, the South Wall and the rock wall above the Burns Point Ferry.

Tailor have started to run in spits and spats, and should develop into some solid numbers towards the middle of June. Best baits to try are blue pilchards or to throw metal slugs. Looks for gutters along the open beaches with plenty of white water either side. Try these spots with a slice of tuna or bonito at night and you might be surprised at some of the fish you come across.

The offshore stretch of the coast between Evans Head and Ballina has been on fire for pelagics such as mackerel, and some great numbers of snapper off the inshore reefs. Target them with plastics between 4-7” with the brighter colours proving to be more successful. As the water cools, the inshore will continue to improve.

If you’re chasing flathead, try the stretches between Burns Point Ferry and Pimlico Island. Throw plastics over the flats on high tide and move into the deeper holes as the tide drops away. Like with snapper, the brightest plastics you can find seem to be the best like the Atomic Prongs in radioactive rooster and electric chicken. The old favourites of Carolina pumpkin and red pumpkin are always worth a throw.

Good numbers of bream have moved into the rock walls in the lower reaches of the river. Float fresh prawns on very lightly weighted lines down the rock walls. You might pick up the odd small mulloway doing this, and they’re great fun on light gear. If you’re throwing lures at them, the ever-reliable Atomic Hardz Crank 38 Deep in Tim’s prawn and Tristo ramjet are doing well at the moment. As the number of bream grow, switch to lures like metal blades and heavier plastics up to 1/4oz around the Porpoise Wall, Bream Hole and Dans Lane.

There have been plenty of crabs caught in the mid reaches of the river around Pimlico Island and Wardell. Muddies are the most active. The bigger night tides that push the most water should get the best results.

The winter whiting should start to come on towards the middle of June. Try the reaches of river either side of Pimlico Island where the shallow flats run into the deeper holes. Fresh beach worms and bloodworms are by far the best baits.