Some nice catches of shark and marlin have already turned up with local boys Josh Walkem and Thomas Mark, pictured, nabbing a nice mako of over 100kg caught recently in 150km of water east of Swansea.

Mick Kennedy fishing from his boat “Head Hunter” also managed a somewhat rare short-billed spear fish from off the continental shelf and with a handful of marlin being caught recently, it’s looking good for the season ahead. Whiting are also on the move with excellent catches showing up on all local beaches from Catho through to the Bay with best catches coming from Redhead and Stockton beaches. The upper reaches of Port Stephens are holding good quantities of trumpeter and whiting also.

Unusual for this region have been the amount of small pearl perch turning up off Newcastle and the Bay. These tasty fish don’t normally venture farther south of Forster and have been a welcome by-catch for many anglers lately. Members of Swansea RSL Fishing Club are reminded memberships for 2018 season are due before the end of the year.

On the Water this Week:

TEMPS: 18 + degrees, Visibility: Still very average, Tides” High – early, and late, Moon: Waxing ¾, Current: Downhill