The recent run of bad weather has kept anglers off the water for some time now and everyone is itching to get back out there but last weekend saw many anglers head inland to chase Australia’s iconic bass and other inland freshwater species.

Plenty of good fish have been caught and released these last few days indicating much better conditions with both the weather and the water temps on the rise.

Most reports suggest the top water bite is heating up quite nicely with some of the popper and paddler lures being absolutely hammered but not all of our local creeks have reached this level – just yet.

Back to the salty stuff and when this current bump in the seas and swell subsides, the snapper crews will be out in search of good sessions as they had to leave them biting before the weather put paid to their efforts. However, the forecast at this stage is not looking good for those who are looking at getting out over the weekend.

It is not all doom and gloom as rock spots protected from the southerly wind combined with an abating swell should allow the rock boys to get into the drummer, luderick and bream.

These options help keep most anglers’ sanity in check till the weather improves.

Beaches had been fishing really well for bream and flathead with the occasional whiting a surprise catch and there seems to be a never-ending supply of salmon and tailor.

Volunteers from Marine Rescue Shoalhaven were called out last week to assist two crew who were accidently thrown into the water from a capsizing catamaran when strong north-easterly winds caused difficult conditions offshore.

Rescue vessel Shoalhaven 30 responded to a call for assistance and joined Westpac and Ambulance helicopters in the search for the catamaran. Marine Rescue Shoalhaven volunteers located the vessel and one crew member, clinging alongside and the other guy made it to shore.