The ocean swell was quite deceiving with a very sharp swell of over 2 metres, and a ‘lull’ which gave an occasional innocent appearing - a real trap for new players.

This boatie would be wasting his money on lottery tickets, as he used up all his good luck for himself and his Quintrex.

Easter weather certainly didn’t turn as nasty as forecast, with boats able to get offshore most days, that was the good news.

Click here for all the South Coast fishing news and reports

The bad news was that offshore fishing over the last week was described as ‘average’ at best.

Boats travelling to Montague Island this week had to work hard for a feed, with morwong, snapper and flathead making up most bags.

The Sheriff out of Narooma on the weekend got some nice snapper up at Potato Point. Skipper Matt Betts got some more snapper all between 1.5kg and 2kg yesterday afternoon.

Those who put in the early effort trolling at the island were rewarded with a few nice bonito, but speed is of the essence, as seals will steal your bonito if they get the chance.

Our offshore water temperature is still over 20c, not quite warm enough for dolphinfish, but just right for plenty of other species.

Only a couple of weeks – April 30 - until the Grey Nurse Critical Habitat Protection Zone on the north end of The Island is removed for another season, this area is usually excellent snapper fishing from May until June.

The marlin season continues to linger like an In-Law who should have left last week. Striped, Blue and Black marlin were again caught from Tuross Canyons to the Victorian border.

Good reports of Bluefin Tuna being caught off Portland (Vic) are enough to make some locals start to prepare for the Bluefin barrels to return to South Coast waters in the next month or so.

Lucky fisher Dan Binns had an encounter of a life time when he had a 3-4 metre Whale Shark cruise up to his boat on the north-eastern corner of The Island last week, Dan got some great photos which will be the envy of many boaties.

Click here to see the photos and story of the whale shark

Local estuary fishing guru Ronny Butler landed another King George Whiting over the weekend in Wagonga Inlet.

Ronny has caught a few previous King George, but other locals have scoffed at these, saying Ronny got the identity wrong. Ronny decided to keep this one for a feed and to prove beyond doubt that they do occasionally occur in our area from time to time.

Visiting Melbourne fisher Dave Cussan landed a nice 92cm Dusky Flathead in Wagonga Inlet over the weekend, some other boats also landed a variety of fish from Wagonga Inlet including tailor, bream and mulloway.

Fishing tip of the Week:  Bonito make great strip baits for snapper and flathead, but don’t bleed then on capture if you want to use them for bait.

Fishing Joke of the Week: Have you seen the new fishing website - no, it’s not online yet!

- John Moore

Bermagui CC Social Anglers' Club news

MONTHLY competitions of the Bermagui Social Anglers’ Club bring members and friends together for the Sunday barbecue.

This month the comp over Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning was difficult fishing, but as always, keenness won the day for Ian Reid, with the heaviest mixed bag off-shore.

Chasing Ian and just missing out, John Symes was “pipped at the post”.

On-shore was at least attempted, but lost out.

The title “social” reigns within this Club with new members welcomed – Peter and Lyn – while visiting friends, John and Judy enjoyed the camaraderie and atmosphere.

President Fran thanked the cooks doing a great job, the contribution of flathead fillets from Ian and members’ delicious salads.

The raffle winners were Don Rumball and Irene Sutton. Anglers are reminded that next month’s comp is over Fri, Sat, Sun May 8-10. The Annual General Meeting is set for Sunday, June 14.

CAUGHT UP - AGAIN