Snapper would have to be the near the top of the list over the next few months, with quality fish caught on bait and soft plastics.

There is no need to travel far because these fish are close to shore over the next few months, with the full moon and new moon periods usually very productive.

Fishing has been good on the continental shelf over the past month with yellowfin tuna and albacore taking baits in berley trails. Fish of around 50kg have been caught with one monster fish over 80kg caught in the recent Canberra Yellowfin Tournament.

The odd marlin has been raised but the season is all but over. Surprisingly, kingfish are still being caught around Mowarrie Point with most of the fish falling to jigs. This won’t last long as the cold water will drive these fish north.

Sand flathead, tiger flathead, morwong and snapper have been caught on the inshore reefs – keep moving until you find the fish. Good fresh bait should almost guarantee a nice feed of fish.

Some big drummer have been caught around the washes at North Head with the best bait cunjevoi. Over the next few months there should be plenty of action from these cold-water bruisers Blackfish are another logical choice from the rocks with green weed or cabbage the best offerings.

Not that many salmon are about but the fish that are available are around 3kg, so they’re worth chasing with metal lures and pilchards. Best spots have been off the beach at The Pinnacles and at Haycock Point.

Big mullet are moving along the beaches and people have been catching them on small baits and soft plastics. Big Jewies should be not to far away as a short time back they were chasing bait around the town wharf.

Plenty of big bream have been caught around the rocks in Twofold Bay with good fish also around the town wharf. Best baits have been strips of striped tuna and slimy mackerel.

The Kiah River has slowed down with the flathead getting pretty lethargic as the water chills.

With many fish either moved on to warmer climes or shut down for the Winter, this is also a good time to do some maintenance on your boat, engine, trailer and fishing tackle. That way everything is ready to go when your favourite target species fires up again.