The south-westerly winds at this time of year may not be conducive to all forms of fishing but they do allow some different options to be explored.

Fishing at night can be cold but those willing to brave it may find some good beach action, particularly around the full moon. The winds mean very little shore break, allowing fish to move close to shore within easy reach.

Species encountered include gummy sharks, the odd jewfish, bream, salmon and tailor. Do some homework in daylight hours to find the best gutter and keep a rod handy for passing schools of salmon for some daylight action.

The cold means estuary action is slow with the upper reaches all but closed down. In the lower sections there are some fish on the chew but don’t expect hot action.

Best options are to target bream and perch in the Bega River around the rock walls or over the shallow flats.

The water becomes very clear, allowing good polaroiding especially for bream. You may need to make many casts to lots of fish before you gain any interest but it’s better than not fishing at all.

There also are some lovely blackfish in the river around the bridge and adjacent rock walls while those who wish to cast a few lures will encounter tailor on the surface.

Around on the wharf there is action for the kids in the form of slimy mackerel, trevally and yakkas through the day while at night tailor come on.

There are squid to be caught on jigs at night and they can be quite prolific. Schools of salmon will also pass, while drummer and luderick are close to the rocks.

These westerlies allow anglers great access to the stones. This area is famous for its drummer and you won’t get better wash action than now. Cabbage weed or cunjevoi fished under a float or with a small ball sinker running to the hook work well.

Trevally, silver drummer and bream will often show while salmon and tailor will be the most active pelagics.

In Kianinny Bay, garfish are likely to gather in a tuna or slimy mackerel berley and respond to a bit of peeled prawn fished under a float. There may also be some squid on jigs at night.

Offshore, things are very interesting where anglers can get close to shore for some different forms of fishing.

Trolling close to the rocks may produce salmon, tailor and the odd kingfish while casting soft plastics on the drift will produce snapper, flathead, trevally, wrasse and pike.

Or an old-fashioned drift with bait over the reefs should produce a constant flow of different species.

The deep reefs just inside the continental shelf are producing some very nice Tassie trumpeter, ocean perch, large tiger flathead and snapper, while over the shelf many anglers are finding of hapuka, ghost cod, big eye cod and jewfish as this form of fishing gains popularity.

While out wide, keep an eye out for passing schools of southern bluefin tuna as they frequent these waters at this time of year and provide great sport.