Welcome to 2009, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a fantastic New Year! Let’s all hope that the fishing will keep going just as it finished 2008.

The beaches are still running hot but there has been a bit of problem with weed causing some days to be unfishable. A move up or down the beach (from a few hundred metres to a couple of kilometres) can make a huge difference. It can also make a difference when the tide turns, with the low tide allowing you to cast over the weed.

Tailor have been prolific right along the beach, with fish to 40cm caught on bluebait, whitebait, pilchards and squid.

The large numbers of tailor around has brought the sharks in for a feed, so keep a couple of tailor for some fresh bait. The bronze whalers have been very prolific with anglers landing up to three per day up to 1m, and being bitten off numerous times by bigger specimens. A bit of wire is worthwhile when the bigger sharks are around.

Hammerhead sharks are being taken from the Golden Beach area by anglers targeting flathead and gummy sharks. Most are under 1m, however they are generally in schools so you may come across a few in a very short time.

Gummy sharks have been taken in the afternoons and into the night from Loch Sport to McLoughlins Beach, particularly around the new and full moons.

Although the pinkies at Woodside are not in the same numbers as early summer, they are still around. These fish have been up to 45cm and 2kg, and have been taking squid, pilchards and bluebait.

Flathead made a big entry in mid December, with some fish caught of 70cm and 2-3kg. They have been taken on Snapper Snatchers, bluebait, whitebait, squid and pilchards.

Salmon have been taken from the Lakes Entrance beaches. Lake Tyers beach has been the pick of the areas, with salmon to 2kg being taken along with the odd gummy shark after dark.

Don’t forget the Golden Beach Surf Fishing Competition is on over the long weekend in January. For more information call the Golden Beach Foodarama on 5146 3240 or Allways Angling on 5174 8544.

Don’t forget to take your camera when you fish the beach and take a photo of your catch. Send it to me with a report and I will include it with my next report.

Justin Shankland caught a gummy shark and a pinkie snapper from Ninety-mile Beach. There are plenty of species on offer if you can get away from the weed.