All areas seem to be alive with dolphins, and whales have been sighted frolicking near Bournda Island, possibly early members of this year’s southerly migration with more sightings expected in the coming weeks.

Reports just to hand tell of abundant albacore tuna in 19 degree waters, 40 kilometres off Merimbula with game fishers needing to go at least another 24 kilometres further east to find the bluefin.

Beach salmon are patchy, with the best areas North Tura and Main Beach. 

With sand crabs prevalent, lures and poppers help.

Both salmon and tailor respond to Halco flashers off the rocks and drummer are still biting on cunjevoi, cooked prawns and cabbage weed.

Cool currents inshore have virtually stunned local bottom fish with catches of morwong and snapper few and far between. 

We have a report of good size flathead caught in the waters west of South Head off Eden but the going is slow.

With the moon full it is certainly a good time to try for gummy shark and in the estuaries; jewfish.

Bream are about in the Merimbula and Pambula Lakes but well up-stream in the Bega River. 

Soft plastics, hard bodies and peeled prawns remain the best baits to catch these fish. 

Merimbula Lake still has some nice flathead, try squidgy plastics. 

Pambula Lake has dusky flathead, bream and tailor all on the bite.

Wonboyn Lake is also producing a few nice dusky flathead and tailor.

The Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club held its Annual General Meeting on Monday, August 15, and welcomed John McKay as new president.

  Sincere thanks were extended to Robert Wood who stepped down from the position. 

Every Friday the club holds an open house at Spencer Park, commencing at 6.30pm.

 Visitors are very welcome, come and enjoy the fishing report, the ambience, friendship and lovely views with very competitive bar prices. 

This Friday, August 19, Darragh Reynolds and Paul Jones are your scheduled hosts.

All inquires to John McKay on 0427 639 585. 

Everything you need to know is on the club’s website www.mbgalac.com.au.

Keep your rods bent.

Tidal information is essential and dictates the movements of nearly all saltwater fish.

Basically, irrespective of what you chase, you are better off fishing around the tide change.