Now that the footy has finished there will be more time for fishing, and with the fishing hotting up it really makes the effort worthwhile.

With the weather improving, the water temperature is increasing and the fishing is picking up. Gummy sharks, salmon, seven-gilled sharks and the odd flathead are becoming more common catches.

Salmon have been consistent throughout the winter and are still being taken from all beaches. Fish up to 2.5kg are being caught using a variety of methods, including casting metal lures like Raiders, Lazers and Gillies in weights from 25–40g. Baits like bluebait, whitebait, pipis, pilchards and blue surf poppers have all been successful, however at times the fish have been selective, taking either one or the other on a day to day basis. Early mornings and late in the day have been the best times to target the salmon.

In turn, some salmon have been used successfully as fresh bait for gummy and seven-gilled sharks, which have been caught in good numbers from Loch Sport to Woodside. The gummies have been up to 1.5m and 8kg, while the seven-gilled sharks have measured 2.1m and weighed 40kg. Best shark baits have been fresh salmon, squid and pilchards. There have also been regular catches of gummy sharks on blue surf poppers.

Most of the sharks have been taken during the day, which is surprising for the numbers that have been taken regularly. The better times to fish during the day are around the new moon, while at night it seems to be around the full moon. However anything is possible – it is fishing after all!

Draughtboard sharks have been a nuisance, although with the water temperature rising they will start to thin out soon. They have been taking all baits and also have been caught on blue surf poppers. The odd flathead has been taken around Woodside. They are small in size, but it is a start, and they will only get bigger and more prolific as the water warms. The best baits are whitebait, bluebait, squid and pilchards. Soft plastics and saltwater flies have all been successful over the last couple of years, when fished on a paternoster rig.

With the weather and fishing picking up it is well worth the effort to get out and give it a go for yourself.