The bite down towards Jervis Bay was mind blowing with Mark Halling and crew from Shellharbour Game Club scoring three striped and two black, during a very exhilarating but intense tag and release day.

Plenty of other boats did extremely well during a couple of outstanding days, and confirmed reports of some crews going double digits on their hit, hookup and release stats. There has been plenty of good dolphin fish about as well with plenty of them over the metre mark.

Fingers crossed that the weather stays to what has been forecast for today and the weekend as the fish are out there but the conditions need to align with weekends off work.

There have been some good reds about the shallows of late with plenty of 3 kilo fish being taken by using fresh slimy fillets and or frigate mackerel as these 2 flesh baits have been the 'gun' over this past week.

Out over the deeper reefs, there have been plenty of tasty bycatch with pigfish, mowies and some big trevally in numbers that has made up for the lack of snapper as these guys have been fairly quiet that may be the result of the new moon phase from last Friday.

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There have still been plenty of good numbers of flatties about the sand drifts with gummy sharks and plenty of red spot whiting about too, but the weather again has kept any at bay over the last couple of weeks.

Beaches should begin to fire in the coming days with all the creeks getting a good flush out and spewing forth tonnes of bait and a highlight of this, is the number and quality of the snapper that have been pulled from the adjoining beaches.

As it happens, when there has been a big sea, fresh gutters are formed and this should provide the ideal places to target for reds, bream, flatties and even the mighty mulloway.

A volunteer from Marine Rescue at Jervis Bay passed away from a medical event while on volunteer duty at the base.

Vale John Gallimore, who was on duty as a Radio Operator at the unit last weekend and despite the very best efforts of a fellow volunteer and NSW Ambulance paramedics, Gallimore was unable to be saved.

A member since January 2010, Gallimore was a skilled and experienced volunteer, holding the senior qualifications of Coxswain and Watch Officer. He was also the unit's Membership Officer.

Flags at all Marine Rescue NSW premises have been flying at half-mast as a mark of respect.

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Boating anglers and all recreational vessels are strongly encouraged to become a member and log on at each and every trip - especially if heading offshore.

Just as important is that you log off upon your safe return.

Marine Rescue at Port Kembla Hill 60 base is manned 24 hours and can be contacted on 0242 744 455 for membership and other enquiries.

Many anglers targeting key sportfish such as Australian bass, estuary perch and the iconic Murray cod, prefer to practice catch and release these days.

If you enjoy a session on these highly popular species, show your respect for these great Aussie natives by always handling them carefully before quickly releasing them.

Holding bass, perch and cod, vertically by their lower jaw is strongly discouraged as it may cause mouth injuries and potentially spinal damage, particularly if they are large fish.

Lakeview Hotel Fishing Club hosted the South Estuary comp last Sunday week and what a huge turnout of anglers with heaps of fish.

Reminder the next South Coast comp event is a beach comp and will be hosted by Kiama on February 27-28.

Next competition weekend is also February 27-28 so please have your entry details in by 5pm Friday for the 2pm Sunday weigh-in.

Reminder for Jervis Bay Game Fishing Club's AWCON Top 10 Billfish Shoot Out over weekend March 13-14 with details and entry forms now on their website.

Go to jervisbaygfc.com/top10_billfish_shootout.html.

Members of Shellharbour Game are reminded there is a general club meeting tonight from 7.30pm at Warilla Bowling Club's Sapphire room.

Entries are now open for the $240,000 2021 Pirtek Fishing Challenge to be held on April 17-18.