EASTER, as a rule, is the peak of the crabbing season in Tilligerry and this year is no exception.

Good hauls have been reported from as far afield as the upper reaches of Tilligerry Creek to the weed beds around Mallabula and Tanilba Bay and back up around to Oyster Cove.

Mud crabs in particular are making their presence  felt with one crabber regularly getting his bag limit ‘somewhere’ in Tilligerry Creek.

The blue swimmers are large and prolific.

They generally make their appearance around Christmas, come on strong at Easter and by June it is rare to catch them.

The Cohen family have been doing very nicely in the waters off Mallabula.

They recently returned with a haul of nine large blue swimmers and a mud crab.

Darrell and grandson Colin baited their traps with mullet.

Witches hats are now banned in Port Stephens due to the threat to turtles and traps are limited to two per person and must be no more than 1metre by 1.2 metres in size with no more than four entrances on each trap.

Flathead are also on the bite and bream are to be found around the oyster leases, particularly on the high tide and at night.

By Geoff WALKER