Here one day, gone the next would be the cliche to best describe sydney's offshore fishing situation at the moment. Tuna of both the yellowfin and bigeye variety have appeared in angler's hauls the past couple of weeks, to over 60kg in weight. Deep livebaits, illuminated with strobe lights, set in place for broadbill have been effective on the bigeye tuna, who are known to inhabit waters considerably deeper during the day than their yellow-finned brethren.


If anglers utilise this method then it shouldn't take too long for a couple of swordfish to grace the gaff. In regard to the yellowfin, currents have been fickle and many anglers have fished hard all day for little result, both trolling and cubing. Those with the means to fish the bottom out there have caught some tasty blue-eye trevalla and gemfish. On the rocks good catches of drummer are coming in over the ledges with some topping 3kg on cunje and prawn baits. These winter staples fight hard and taste great. The odd big tailor, baby kingy and solid salmon are hitting spun deep divers and stickbaits. A few nice reds were taken at the tail end of the last swell on both baits and SPs. Some nice squid are a viable target when things flatten off completely in winter. On the beach a few school mulloway have been landed and of all things pillies have been a cracking bait when fresh squid and cuttlefish has drawn a blank. In the harbour reports indicate that luderick are doing their thing in abundance and anglers are taking healthy catches of these omnivores. Now is the time of year that St. Peter's fish, the john dory, should be shadowing schools of small yakkas and juvenile to not so diminutive reef fish. The clear still areas of the lower harbour are the prime spots, although if we have a good break from the rain they should move further upstream into middle harbour. Some nice winter bream and silver trevally are taking baits and lures all through the harbour, along with some frying pan sized flounder. A couple of winter run baby mulloway have taken similar lures and are always great to see no matter how small and cute. The same can't be said for the broken bay/hawkesbury area where apparently big hauls of bream and other fish are being taken by the nets. Good luck and tight lines from the crew at Fish Outta Water!