At 24 degrees close to shore, and nudging 26 out wide in some places, the water is truly tropical - about as warm as it gets in this part of the world.

It's had a marked impact on the fishing, prompting the best run of marlin of the season so far and creating some exciting fishing for species like dolphin fish around the FADs (Fish Aggregation Devices) and kings on the reefs.

The recent Bermagui tournament was a raging success, with scores of marlin tagged and released. The billfish seem to be heading south this week, with the best fishing occurring off Merimbula and Eden.

Warm water has also dragged other marine life down from the tropics, including at least two whale sharks, which have been seen on numerous occasions off Bermagui and Batemans Bay.

Given the conditions, it won't be long before inshore pelagics like bonito, kingfish and small tuna start showing up off the rocky headlands.

In the meantime, spinning with metal lures from the stones is yielding reasonable numbers of salmon and one or two tailor.

In light of the rock fishing deaths that occurred near Wollongong last weekend, be extremely careful while fishing any headland or breakwall.

The seas have looked calm from a distance of late, but there's been a mean swell that can catch unprepared anglers off guard.

I love my rock fishing but I don't take any risks these days. If it looks even remotely dicey, I'll go and fish the beach or estuary instead. The fish will still be there tomorrow.

Locally, widespread rain is just what the doctor ordered to refresh the region's streams and rivers. Trout fishing will improve noticeably, with this weekend looking good for fly and lure fishos.