THIS is the time when all our Summer fish should be on the bite.

The pelagics in Broken Bay and Sydney Harbour, such as tailor, kingfish and salmon, should be smashing into the bait schools. Flathead and bream are also in good numbers right through the system and willing to take a lure or fly. The bass and estuary perch upstream will also be on the chew and will smash surface lures all night. I love this time of the year – there are so many options.

There is nothing I like better than heading out for an afternoon and night fish with a mate in our Australis Bass kayaks to a small creek or swamp fishing for bass. We head off about three hours before dark and fish to around three hours after dark, depending on how the fish are biting. I start fishing with small diving lures (Feralcatt and Taylor Made), casting them into shadows, under trees and around edges of weed beds. When casting a diving lure, let it sit on the water for few seconds and give it a twitch to trigger any surface strikes before working slowly it back.

As the sun drops, I change to a Taylor Made Surface Walker and wait for a big bass to frighten the hell out of me with a surface strike. I like to let the surface lure sit still for few seconds before working it back with a few pauses on the way.

Remember not to strike until your line tightens. Bass often won’t find the hooks on their first inquiring bump on a surface lure and if you strike before that, you will often pull the lure away before the fish is hooked. Make sure that you take a small pack with a torch, insect repellent, water, snacks and all other tackle needs.