This week as I walked along the breakwall in North Haven there were large schools of mullet lingering at the mouth, it’s clear the spawning run is imminent.

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Commercial fishers, carrying on generations of tradition, are poised to begin their beach netting, closely monitoring the headlands for migrating schools.

This age-old practice remains a staple of the local fishing scene.

The Hastings River experienced significant tides and murky waters this week.

For flathead fishing, fresh garfish and soft plastics are proving highly effective.

Luderick numbers are increasing, with cabbage and weed flies yielding good results around the breakwalls, Lady Nelson wharf, and the CBD’s main wharf.

Upstream, bream are biting steadily on mullet strips and lures.

Mulloway enthusiasts are congregating at the breakwalls, particularly during high tide. For fresh bait, the cleaner waters near the river mouth is holding pike, garfish, and herring.

The persistent large swells have caused beach erosion, but those who braved the conditions were rewarded with good-sized mulloway and increasing numbers of tailor.

North Shore Beach and Lighthouse Beach are currently the prime locations for tailor.

While the large swells hindered boaties this week, conditions are expected to improve this weekend.

Plomer Bay and the southern inshore reefs near Lighthouse and Lake Cathie should see mackerel activity.

Further offshore, with calmer currents, the deep drop fishing season for cod and kingfish is anticipated to begin.

Down south, mulloway fans are enjoying success with school-sized fish in and around Lake Cathie.

Larger specimens are expected to appear on the beaches as the mullet run commences.

Rock anglers are finding excellent tailor catches, with some reaching two kilograms, particularly when using surface poppers or garfish.

Bream and luderick are also biting well at Perpendicular Point and Diamond Head.

Offshore, rumours of mackerel catches off Bonny Hills and Crowdy Head are circulating, making this an ideal time for offshore mackerel fishing.

The Macleay River is currently a hotspot, with schools of mulloway, bream, and flathead keeping anglers busy.

Fresh bait and high tide are crucial for success.

Up north at Grassy Head, mackerel fishing continues to be productive, and a surge of visiting anglers is expected as the school holidays approach.

By Kate SHELTON