LIKE so many, Christmas is my favourite time of the year.
Time for the family to gather and time to all sit at the same table.
This year give the turkey a break and have a fishy feast.
Before you can make that decision you need to catch the fish!
The good news is that the fishing in and around Port Stephens is on the boil.
Inside the Port, concentrate your effort on flathead, bream, whiting and crabs.
Having a boat will increase your chances.
Launch at Soldiers Point or Lemon Tree Passage and set your drop net for crabs from Lemon Tree to North Arm Cove and up towards the entrance to the Karuah River (remember witches’ hats traps are banned in Port Stephens).
Once your nets are set for crabs, drift the deeper channels or toss soft plastics on the top of the tide around the mangroves.
Don’t forget to pick up your traps before heading home.
Outside the heads the action is fierce with snapper biting like Bengal tigers.
Head south and target the bomboras off the Fingal Lighthouse or travel further south and work around the fantastic reefs off Rocky Point.
If you choose to head north from the heads, target Boondelbah Island or Broughton Island.
You may be keen to go even further north towards the great snapper reefs off Seal Rocks.
Port Stephens is a fishing wonderland with an amazing array of opportunities.
For those without the luxury of a boat, head for Stockton or Fingal Beaches where thumping whiting have recently arrived.
If you are a family of “danglers”, just out for a fishing adventure with the kids, set up along the Nelson Bay Breakwall or on one of the many jetties from Shoal Bay to Salamander Bay.
Karuah and Lemon Tree have excellent jetties for the family to safely experience the fun of fishing.
Safety is the number one concern so I would advise you not to go rock fishing.
Certainly do not expose the kids to the dangers of fishing off the rocks.
Stick to the beaches where you will catch more fish and relax in the knowledge that everyone is safe.
Have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy your holiday in Port Stephens.
By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
