DON’T YOU just hate how work just gets in the way of fishing enjoyment?

This time of year is my favourite, with many of our so-called bread-and-butter species well and truly on the boil. The next few months should be fruitful but I find myself tied to the grindstone with little time to pursue my favourite pastime. Not to worry, as mates will fill me in on their interludes with our fishy brethren.

Hats off to those keen enough to frequent the beach gutters at this time of year – good results have been a just reward. Some nice bream have been skating up the sand with North and South beaches producing some good fish.

School jew have been on the prowl, dining on bunches of worms cast onto the washy sandbars and drifted into the edges of the beach gutters. High tide around dusk or dawn is the best time to induce plenty of bites.

Tailor have been up and down with no two days producing similar results. This seems a little strange considering filthy big greenbacks are usually filtering through at this time of year. I expect the tailor will improve in following weeks.

Rock fishos have being producing fair results. A few drummer are on the chew with anglers rolling some of these black powerhouses from local headlands. Last season was certainly a fizzer for porky pigs but already things are looking brighter.

Anglers have also being enjoying some good bream with some hardy fish cruising the suds. Early mornings and late arvo sessions have been the go. Fresh tailor strips are always a crowd favourite although mullet or bonito will produce similar results.

In the estuary some good bream have been on offer with oyster leases crawling with good fish. Those willing to brave the chill and soak a bait after dark have been bagging some fine fish. During the day bream are still sucking in lures. Whether your preference is softies or hard-bodies, a cast close to structure should see you in the action.

Blackfish remain a little patchy with anglers enjoying mixed results. Large ocean-run bronzies which usually run into the system at this time of year have been slow to show but by the time you read this the situation should have changed and there should be numbers of fish taking up residence in all the regular haunts. Blackfish are great sport and have a cult like following amongst anglers. Weed is always a constant hassle but those in the know always seem to be armed with some gook-looking blackfish tucker.

Bottom fishos have been tucking some good fish in their boxes. With the run from the north now backed right off, anglers have been able to enjoy bottom fishing without the use of a house brick. Mowies, snapper, pearlies and the odd samson are just a few species which are on the prowl.

Close reefs are producing some nice snapper with floatlining reaping some great results.

The soft plastic revolution is taking grip on the inshore bommies with anglers taking some great snapper on these wiggly rubber things. I expect more anglers will be trying this form of angling offshore.