The annual fishing contest held in Merimbula, Pambula and Bega River was hosted by the Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club.

Organisers said all anglers enjoyed good conditions and the catch rates were really excellent.

The challenge was run as a catch and release event, so the effect on our local fish population was minimal.

The exciting last minute announcement of Kane McKill's $400 cash for the longest mulloway (jewfish) really stepped up the competition, but alas none were taken.

The all important first prize for the longest bream was taken out by David Hay with a magnificent 428mm fish from the Merimbula Lake.

Val Harvey fished Merimbula Lake on Saturday then went to Pambula on the Sunday to achieve first place for dusky flathead at 870mm.

Fishing solely from the club's Spencer Park jetty brought Jake Young the prize for the longest trevally at 443mm.

Trolling in the Merimbula Top Lake brought Urs Buhlman the win for tailor with a massive 549mm catch.

For other the "other species" longest fish category, congratulations to Martin Bartlett picking up a 572mm Australian salmon trolling near the Merimbula Bridge.

MBGLAC also celebrated the district's junior anglers with six-year-old Elise Walker of Greigs Flat taking first prize with a lovely 369mm bream - "clearly one of our new wave of angling experts".

Sophie Grech caught a very credible 602mm dusky flathead. Congratulations also to Tiffany Bragg for her 369mm trevally.

Seven-year-old Logan Walker cleaned up in two categories, firstly a 445mm tailor and then a very large 534mm Australian salmon. Extra special congratulations to Logan.

The club again advises that the Merimbula entrance is changing rapidly and boaters need to be extra cautious.

At present Marine Rescue Merimbula cannot respond outside of three hours either side of the high tide.

Marine Rescue NSW also urged patience on the waters as it expects a busier than usual season now the Victorian border has reopened.

Offshore the waters are warming, there is lots of baitfish and we await the first reports of marlin activity.

Ocean flathead are now really well on the bite off Kianinny, Bournda Island and Tura Headland. Best results from about 18-20 fathoms.

Some good snapper are available off Long Point, the inside of Horseshoe Reef near Haycock and also at North Head and Boyds Tower out of Eden.

Snapper and gummy shark are feeding well on salmon and pilchards as well as soft plastics and micro jigs.

Some really large calamari squid have been taken at the Merimbula wharf mostly mornings and evenings. Try No.3 slow sinking squid jigs.

The channels at Merimbula and Pambula are increasingly productive for Australian salmon, bream, dusky flathead, tailor and trevally.

Good results from silver minnow type soft plastics. Simple silver spinners trolled give good results especially in the Merimbula channel between the bridge and the entrance.

Mogareeka is the place for good dusky flathead, work the shallow edges with soft plastics. Sand bars up the Bega River are restricting access apart from kayaks.

The waters of the lakes are warming and tailor, trevally, bream and dusky flathead are now on the chew. Silver spinners for the tailor, soft plastics will entice the rest.

Congratulations to James Fennessary, new member, competing in his first fishing competition for his second prize dusky flathead of 761mm, taken from the Merimbula Top Lake.

Luderick are schooling in the channel above the bridge preparing for their summer sojourn out past the Merimbula fishing platform to feed along the headlands.

With the warming water we are also getting some good whiting and an occasional flounder.

The MBGLAC Club Room will be open on Friday from 6.30pm. Attendance is currently limited to 20 persons due to social distancing rules. All bookings and inquires to Peter Haar 0417 021 066.

Everything you need to know about local fishing is available on the club's website www.mbglac.com.au.