Well, it's definitely getting warmer, but with the consistent southerly winds, we're just about reaching that magic 18-degree mark. It's still a bit cool, but with the new moon, the fish are starting to move in from out on the mud, full of roe, with the males ready as well.

The kingfish are starting to bust up in the middle ground, with big schools of anchovies, jack mackerel, and slimies finally turning up. It's a sight to see when the water just erupts, and you can see the yellow tails – definitely time to start casting those nice big soft baits.

Down from the main workups, dragging some live baits and using the vast array of sliders and jigs, there are some trophy snapper to be had. Out wider on the deeper reefs, 71-metre and Bird Trench have good kingfish and large amounts of school fish, but with the consistent presence of the tax man, it can be hard to get the fish up. The north-western corner has been good.

Down towards the south, there are fish on all the scrubby foul that runs down that 40 to 50-meter mark. Up north towards the Cavalli Islands, along the 60 to 80-meter pins, there have been some great fish – good if you can stay on top and lead them off so the sharks don't get them. It's a 50/50 chance from now on as the bronze whalers move in to head up the harbours.

As we hit Christmas, there is going to be a large increase in traffic, so be careful, and if you are diving, please make sure you have a dive flag up.

Be safe out there, tight lines.

Darren