Look for the bait schools on your sounder, or drop by the shop for the latest info on where the bait schools are holding up.

Bream are fishing well on bladed lures, especially the gold and gold/green colours. The range from TT and Strike Pro in 40-45mm are proving the most effective.

The bream are holding up in the deeper water in the main basin due to the increased boat traffic at this time of year. Alternatively, you can work the weed beds at first light or late in the afternoon using Bassday Sugapens and Luckycraft Sammys in all colours. Top of the tide is ideal as the weed beds flood over, or right before the frequent southerly changes hit in the afternoons.

The sand flats from the channel markers back to Taylors are producing stud whiting on transparent coloured poppers and walk-the-dog style lures. We are now stocking the superb range of Blue Acres rods which are ideal for casting these light lures the distance necessary to avoid spooking the fish.

Try the carbon fibre grips on these rods for a true ergonomic experience. Best conditions are at the top of the tide as it starts to fall with enough wind chop on the water to prevent the fish from seeing you or your boat.

Nippers are a very popular option with bait anglers prepared to put in the time to collect them at low tide on the flats outside the main marina.

Flatties are going well though you will have to work to find where the fish are holding up. Try from the top of the tide as it starts to ebb as the flatties tend to concentrate in the deeper channels making them easier to target.

Live poddy mullet are extremely effective and we can show you where the best places for catching them are locally using the legally approved traps. Plastic and vibe lures are very effective at the moment with 7-10cm Squidgy Fish in Gary Glitter working the best on 5-14 gram jig heads depending on lure size. Work the plastic aggressively at this time of year for that ‘reaction bite’ from the lizards.

The odd kingie has also appeared in reports this week, mainly from fishos working soft plastics for flathead. Once again, the moving bait schools are the places to concentrate your effort.

Beaches and rocks: The stones are fishing well for drummer on cunje or the humble fresh or frozen prawn.

Work the wash areas on the run-up to high tide for best results, always keeping an eye on the ocean for any changes in swell or wave conditions. Drop by the shop for advice on the safest and best areas where to catch these excellent eating fish.

Big bream are being caught off the rocks, especially where they meet the beaches. Beach worms and pipis are the bait of choice with 1080 and Broulee being the pick of the beaches.

Salmon are also being caught from most local beaches with the two-hour period either side of full tide being the most successful.

And, finally for this week, come in and check out the new Zip Vac vacuum sealing storage system that guarantees the freshness of your catch. These zip lock bags in all sizes are also an excellent way of protecting your valuable gear such as wallets and mobile phones.

- Darryl

Narooma Ocean Hut Compleat Angler

Good fish despite dodgy weather

DALMENY Fishing Club hosted their first competition for the year on the weekend.

The dodgy weather meant that not many braved the waters, but some good fish were weighed in none-the-less.

Some standouts were a 45cm bream by Jon Poyner, and a good kingie by Andrew Thomas. As usual, Tony Davis' boat weighed in a good mixed haul.

The results for the weekend were:

Juniors - Georgia Poyner, with 80 pts

Ladies - none weighed in

Men’s - Graeme Sawyer, with 220 pts

Thanks go to caterer Patrice and her band of helpers for a delicious lunch. Sponsor Bob Bennett generously supplied the prizes for the day.

The next fishing comp will be an inter-club comp hosted by Narooma Bowlo, on the weekend of February 6-7. We hope to see you all there.