HOWLING onshore winds have been the trend over the past month and fishing action has been somewhat of a lottery.

But effort usually reaps rewards so keep plugging away as the results should be just around the corner.

This time of year is always hard work for rock fishos, with a lot of species in shut-down mode and the true speedsters of Summer just around the corner.

If that's not enough, those constant onshore breezes bring with them a red plague. Red weed infects gutters and beach drains, squeezing out fish life and making for dismal pickings even when you can retrieve your rig without a weight of weed on it.

If you are lucky enough to stumble across some clean water, some good fish are still being landed. Jewies have been on the prowl with some reasonable schoolies coming from most headlands and beachfronts when conditions allow.

Tailor have also been cruising the suds with morning and arvo sessions coughing up a couple of greenbacks. Drummer certainly remain disappointing with this year’s shocking season getting no better. It is doubtful much will happen on the pig scene until next Autumn.

Estuary fishing has without doubt remained a constant force over the year, with some sort of action taking place week in and week out. Blackfish have once again been prevalent in our system, with this year's season being a bumper. The blackfish brigade are still managing to pluck some reasonable fish from the Hastings. Some days the action has been slow but perseverance pays off, as usual, with the keen anglers reaping the rewards.

Lure anglers have had plenty to cheer about with flatties and bream inhaling artificials up and down our system. Soft plastics certainly have got in anglers – and fish – with more and more softies being cast and catching fish. Soft plastics should be worked very slowly, stalling in the strike zone to initiate a hit.

Crabs have also been on the move with blue swimmers and muddies getting about. Setting a few dillies while fishing should see you tucking a few crabs into the esky. Please remember to return female crabs carrying eggs to ensure that stocks are replenished.

Early starts are the go to beat that nagging onshore airstream. A lot of trips are over well before lunch, with that sea breeze blowing the fleet home. Bottom fishos are working hard and their efforts are producing a feed for most. Deep reefs are coughing up the norm in mowies and a few pan-size reds. The odd king has been encountered also, with a couple of samson adding to the mix.

This time of year boat anglers’ attention turns toward the annual appearance of speedier fish to our waters. Pelagics such as marlin, wahoo, Spanish mackerel and cobia become our welcome visitors, if only for a fleeting few months. The past seasons have been hard to gauge, with last year slightly better than the previous two. Hopefully warm, clear water and good currents will bring some high-grade action from the north.