Inshore water temperatures are hovering around the 22-degree mark, creating ideal conditions for baitfish like mackerel, yellowtail and mullet.

Lurking nearby are much bigger predators, including kingfish, bonito, salmon and tailor.

Rocky headlands and the large wharves at Tathra and Merimbula have been the best spots to cast lures and bait for kings and bonito.

Shoulder-to-shoulder fishing has been the order of the day on the wharves, as anglers turned out in force over the school holidays.

At least three big kings have been landed so far at Merimbula, with a few others hooked and lost. Live garfish is the best bait. Bonito are climbing all over small metal lures fished from the jetties and adjacent rocks. The occasional salmon and tailor is also joining the party.

The crowds have now gone, but the fish should stick around for at least another month - or more. Check it out if you can.

Beach fishing has been more sedate but just as enjoyable. Bream and salmon are abundant in the gutters are will scoff a beachworm or pilchard piece.

Offshore, marlin are proving hard to come by. Most anglers are targeting snapper over the reefs instead, and are finding good numbers of reds. There are some kings around, too.

Local freshwater fishing isn't too shabby at all.

Fishers happy to persist with lures in the local lakes are hooking some nice golden perch and small Murray cod. Ginninderra, Tuggeranong and Googong are clearing up and worth a look.

It's been too mild in the mountains for spawn run browns, but there are plenty of small but active resident trout in the streams and rivers.