The water temperature is starting to jump up and the current is pushing hard down the coast bringing with it all types of tropical delights. At the time of writing the water is up around the 22-24 degree mark and reports are starting to flood in.

Already there are reports of smaller mahi stacking up around the FADS and fish traps off Sydney. Typically most the fish are small but there are also some bigger fish out wide including fish over 20kg. Further north around Port Macquarie there are reports of big mahi in the 25kg range being regularly encountered by those chasing blue marlin out wide.

The key to catching the larger mahi off the FADs  is to be the first one there. Mahi might be really aggressive but they aren’t stupid and will quickly shy off as the pressure increases. Possibly the best time to fish is right after heavy weather, especially southerlies. A big southerlies stop a majority of the boats getting out and allows the mahi stack up around the FADs, so if you’re the first one out after a blow then you are in for a good time.

Best baits are smaller livies like pencil slimies or mini yakkas. Start your drift well up current and avoid getting too close to the actual floats. Using spin rods cast the unweighted livies out and then fish them with the bail open. I should also add that monofilament line is much better than braid for this job. With just your finger on the line you can monitor the baits behavior and then free spool it as soon as the fish strikes. I should also add that a lot of marlin are caught around FADs at this time of year so always have a heavier outfit ready for action just in case one pops up.

Blue dog time
Well I predicted that we would see a few blue marlin this season and if early reports are anything to go by then we are in for a great season. There have been a good run on the north coast from Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie with fish from 120 to 180kg being encountered. The best of Sydney so far is a creditable 204kg blue marlin so there will hopefully be some big fish around. The best place to find the blue dogs is out wide of the shelf where there is a bit of current and the water is clean and blue. Port Macquarie, Foster, Norah Head Canyons, Jervis Bay, Batemans Bay and Bermagui are all worth a shot depending on the prevailing currents.

The best option is to troll with a spread of skirted lures and try and focus around any schools of stripies or near flotsam. The question of whether you run one or two hooks is always a hard one and I have to admit I have shied away from twin hook rigs and now seem to have more success running a single hook well back in the skirt.

If chasing the big boys isn’t your cup of tea then the stripes and blacks will start to stack up inside the shelf wherever there is thick bait concentrations. While there have been some early reports of small blacks up off Coffs Harbour  and the odd one off SWR it doesn’t appear like we are going to get a huge inshore run, however there should be a few midweight blacks pushing down the coast. Places like Port Stephens, Sydney, Kiama, Jervis Bay and the South Coast are all potentially hot spots the key is the bait and where it will concentrate. Early signs indicate the South Coast is going to be the place to be. There have also been a suprising number of reports off blacks in close off Sydney.

Kings and makos inshore
The awesome kingy run continues to fire and now the little makos are joining the party. I recently took ten year old Will Millhouse out for a session on the kings and not only did we score a heap of fish to almost a metre but he topped it off with a fat little mako that weighed more than him. And today while writing this I just heard from Dave Steele that he had one on and then lost a marlin just outside  Sydney heads!

The makos really are plentiful at this time of year over the inshore reefs and I highly recommend that someone in Minister Garrett's office lets him know before he makes a complete ass of himself. While I am a big advocate of releasing all big sharks small makos under 50kg are absolutely awesome eating.

To catch both the makos and kings slow trolling and drifting with livies is the key to success on the bigger fish. The only difference is to run a short length of single strand wire if you want to land the makos.

Strikezone is on the water
The brand new Strikezone Evolution 6m Extreme is on the water and is awesome (mind you I am biased). I have put a lot of time and money into this boat and am making it into one of the best trailerboat sportfishers out there so if you see us on the water filming be sure to say G’day. And remember if it’s rough them you can always get a copy of Strikezone Sportfishing at www.strikezonemedia.com.au