I’ve never had much time for August and September so I’m glad it is over for another year. 

I am often asked ‘what is my favourite fishing month?’ I have no hesitation in answering – February. Why February?  Generally, the water is warm and the weather is mild. The beaches are alive with whiting. Flathead, crabs and mulloway are rocking in the port and snapper are over all the outer reefs and it’s peaceful – all the kids are back at school. August is different. Lousy west winds, unpredictable weather patterns and dangerous sea conditions. There however remains a constant, something that we can rely on, all year. Good old bream!

Whether it be inside the port, along the beaches or around the rocky headlands bream can be found in good numbers wherever you look. Good thing about bream is that you can catch them on anything. All bream do, every day and waking hour is eat. Their whole interest in life is eating. 

You name it and bream will eat it. Chicken, tripe, cheese, potato peels, Rice Bubbles, scones, lamingtons and custard tarts. Seriously, I have seen it. Some baits however are better than others. 

Pipis are dynamic on Stockton Beach. Let me know any tasty never fail morsels you’ve used for bait! 

Fishing writer, author and radio presenter John “Stinker” Clarke can be heard weekly, throughout NSW, on popular ABC Regional Radio fishing program “The Big Fish”.  Check him out on www.stinker.com.au or send an email to editor@manningcommunitynews.com with your information and questions.