This season has seen an abundance of prawns in the Tathra area, which not only has the fish fired up, but humans as well. We’re cashing in on the good stocks both for food and for bait.

Wallagoot Lake south of Tathra has great numbers of prawns in it, so you shouldn’t have any trouble gaining a feed on the dark of the moon. The Bega River is closed to the ocean, however it also has a good amount of prawns in it, which in turn are providing some excellent angling.

Anglers going out before daylight to acquire some live prawns are getting excellent results as the sun rises on species like bream, whiting, flathead and especially some super-size estuary perch around the rocky areas.

Whiting have been the highlight on the beaches, with the north end of Tathra Beach producing fish up to 45cm in length and plenty of them. Those bream are also present not only on this beach, but the surrounding beaches too. They’re accompanied by schools of salmon, mullet, tailor, a few gummy sharks and more recently, some nice mulloway!

Around the wharf, there is plenty of action from small to large pelagics in the form of frigate mackerel, bonito and salmon, through to hammerhead sharks and a chance of a stray marlin on a live bait. Those frigates make great baits for those larger predators, and a quick turnaround can see them out under a balloon. Most of these larger predators are also an option from the nearby rocky platforms, and for the land-based anglers you would not have a better chance at a big fish.

For those who are not into these larger fish, there are plenty of smaller species to keep you entertained. Trevally, slimy mackerel and yellowtail are the main targets off the wharf, while closer to the rocks you will find schools of garfish and some lovely luderick.

Offshore, things are pretty hot too, and for those who like light tackle sportfishing, there is plenty to be had. Trolling close to shore will produce those smaller pelagics, with a variety of lures both skirted or diving producing. Once schools have been located, cast lures may do the trick, providing good action. Try to get those early starts for the best results.

Out wide, for those who want to mix it with some heavy weights, marlin are now at their best. There are plenty of baitfish around, and you can be sure there will be a black, striped and blue marlin not too far behind. Lures may be the best way to cover the water to find the them, and this may also produce other species like tuna, kingfish and mahimahi.

On the bottom around the reefs, snapper are starting to show and should increase in numbers in the following months, and there are plenty of morwong mixed in.

Off the reefs in some of the deeper water, plenty of tiger flathead are still around as they have been all season. What this area is also famous for is its sand flatties, and at the moment, out from most beaches it has never been easier to acquire a nice feed.