Not only have rivers been given a good flush, but a right royal hiding. Unlike the rivers further north, we’ve been lucky here on the Hastings and Camden Haven rivers.

The Hastings got a lot of rain and was shut down for a few weeks but it should be back into full swing this month.

The Camden Haven has been a great back-up for locals. Only 30 minutes down the road and we’ve been able to have some good fishing.

No two days have been the same, though. Flathead and whiting have been the pick of the species and baits along the walls and up river on the sandbank and weed edges, have produced some nice fish.

On a recent outing I noticed some local anglers catching some nice whiting in Queens Lake and I expect this action to continue.

Bream on the Camden Haven are an excellent prospect at any time and this month some big bream will be about.

Those using bait will do exceptionally well at the entrance to Stingray Creek and along the walls. Those tossing lures will find the pontoons and lease areas west of the Dunbogan bridge a great place to start.

Don’t go light: Start with 12lb leaders and strong drags. Recently I got blown away by some cracker bream and this month those bream will be 200g to 400g heavier as they feed up. And with plenty of structure for them to make short work of your leaders, you’ll need to be on your game.

The Hastings River this month bounce back. I love March on the Hastings because most of our visitors have gone home, the weather is milder and it’s the start of the big bream season.

Bream have been feeding up and are switched on to surface feeding. The weed beds around the mouth of the Maria River and Limeburners Creek will be good starting points.

Small profile surface lures and lightly weighted soft plastics will work well. Good-sized fish will fall prey to bigger plastics and won’t shy away from Atomic Prongs, which have been working extremely well.

Those looking for a feed of luderick will be rewarded. Dedicated locals have been catching fish all Summer from the northern breakwall and this month should catch plenty. Best tide is the start of the run in early in the morning.

With the recent rain some nice flathead have been caught in the lower reaches but this month they’ll be spread throughout the system and not too hard to find. Best starting point will be the northern bank of the Hastings from Blackmans Point to Dennis Bridge. Some nice fish often hold on the pylons, along with some good school mulloway.

Best lures for chasing flathead will be 3” to 4” long. Berkley Pogies and Minnows will do well rigged on 1/8oz or 1/4oz heads.

Bait fishers can’t go past livies. Back Channel will be a god spot to snare a few poddy mullet or the fishing co-op jetty to jig some yakkas.

Rockhoppers should look for early morning tailor action. They’ll be on the chew for a short period before shutting down. Quality fish have been a little disappointing lately but some good size fish should be around this month.

Some cracker bream have been taken from the rocks and beaches, especially on slabs of fresh mullet.

Those heading north to Point Plomer have been getting some quality fish late in the day and into the night. The beaches have some excellent formations and the northern beaches will be the go for tailor, mulloway and bream while the southern beaches should produce quality whiting, bream and the odd mulloway.

Offshore action recently has been pretty good. Everything from marlin to mahi mahi has been taken lately, keeping the game fishos really happy. Warm currents should taper off as this month draws to an end.

Bottom-bouncers are doing well with snapper and pearl perch consistent and will increase in numbers and size this month as they come into their peak season.

So no matter what you fish for, March is a great time to hit the water. Just remember to take care of yourselves and our wonderful fishery.