A warm welcome to our many visitors who have chosen to spend their holiday time with us. To those of you who have an ambition to catch a fish you are in for treat as you have entered the “Land of the Giants”.

I am forever astounded, not only at the availability of numerous species of fish, but of their quality. Monster, broad shouldered dusky flathead snooze in the warm shallows from Shoal Bay right throughout the system, up into the far reaches of Tilligerry Creek and the Karuah River. Indeed in many areas along our mid north coast.

Thumping big, bright eyed whiting are nosing along the beaches and cruising up into the Port. Bumper bream are everywhere. Wherever you find an oyster you will find a bream.

Outside the heads snapper over the magical 10kg mark are swimming in real close particularly as the sea rises retreating to the outer reefs when the sea settles. 

Cracker mulloway over 20kg have regularly been reported along all the beaches and in the deep water inside the Port around Middle Island off Soldiers Point. Let’s not forget the monster mud crabs, so big, they think they are turtles.

Remember you are in a Marine Park and rules apply. 

Also a quick pic before releasing can be just as satisfying as ending the old fellas’s days!

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.