It's be a wild week on the east coast with cyclone Alfred hitting SE Queensland and northern NSW bringing with it rain, swell and wind! The good news is that this weekend we're looking at some awesome autumn weather with sunnies skies, little breeze and warm water!
Southwest Rocks
The flooding from Cyclone Alfred has dumped a of freshwater in the area which has
made offshore fishing pretty ordinary however, prior to Alfred there was plenty of pelagic action with big tropical visitors like wahoo. As the flood waters clean out and the calmer weather returns the fishing will heat up again!
Photo & report - OceanHunter sport fishing
Sydney Harbour
Inshore - After the recent rain and weather there are still good kingfish around the big meter mark that have been caught in the lower harbour along with plenty of smaller fish fish in the mix. These fish have been taking a variety of baits including live yakkas, squid and more. It's a matter of seeing what they are wanting to eat on the day to it's important to have a variety of baits. Aside from the kings the are still plenty of bonito and tailor busting up across the harbour. Big flathead are also on the prowl taking live baits. Small yakkas and mullet being the pick of the lot.
Offshore - With the recent wind and rain it hasn't been the most pleasant trip offshore but the fish have been firing and with the calm weather Sydney's going to get this weekend it's going to be the perfect opportunity to get out there! The warm water has seen plenty of our tropical visitors pay visit to our FAD with big mahi mahi hanging around the Sydney and Broken Bay FAD most mornings.
Photos and report
Pittwater, Broken Bay and surrounds
Large numbers of mac tuna, frigate mackerel and bonito have entered the front of middle harbour and Broken Bay, they are mostly jellybean size but some better fish are about. These speedsters are taking very small metals and flies but don't be surprised if thet decide to refuse even the most realistic of presentations. If you are lucky enough to hook up - hold on! Amongst the mac tuna and bonito there has been the odd salmon taking surface lures. Kingfish remain an inshore rarity but there have been some good mulloway and snapper on micro jigs in Pittwater.
Photos and report - Sydney Fly Fishing Tours
Rock and Beach
With the wind swell and slightly dirtier water snapper have been showing up off the ocean rocks. Not in big numbers but there are some quality fish to be had. Fishing the white water on the deeper headlands will give you a better chance at a solid snapper. Drifting down lightly-weighted pilchards, squid and large prawns in the white water has been the go-to method. The small swell and warm water has bream and whiting feeding along the beaches. These fish have been taking live worms and nippers but they are scattered along the sand so it's best to stay mobile to find the fish. At night the beaches have been littered in small dusky whaler sharks. These toothy critters are tough fighters and can be good fun to catch.
Note: All beaches on the northern beaches of Sydney require a lifejacket when rock fishing. Always take care when rock fishing, wear the appropriate safety gear, check the weather report and bring a friend.
Photos and report - Bellissimo Charters
