These tend to form when we get 2 – 3 days of hard North easterly winds which tend to “Roll” over the surface water and replace it with cold water from deeper down and can last for weeks. The salvation to this is the arrival of a southerly change which does the opposite and returns warmer waters to the coastal fringe. Temps last weekend and this week have dipped to around 16 degrees which has played havoc with the offshore fishos with the fish shutting down, hopefully this will change for the coming weekend. Once again, the lake and estuary fishos have fared best with plenty of Jew coming from both Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens, live and or fresh squid being preferred baits. Blue swimmers are starting to show around the western shores of Lake Macquarie and Lemon Tree Passage. Remember crab traps are only permitted at Port Stephens with two per person. Witches’ hats at the Bay must have the top float removed so they lay the net flat to help prevent turtle by-catch. Four per person is permitted in both Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens and a fishing licence is also required. Floats/pots need to be kept in sight at all times.

On the Water this Week:

TEMPS: Freezing, around 17 degrees, Visibility: Average to good, Tides: Low – early and late, Moon: First quarter this weekend, Currents: Downhill, 2knots