It has been altered to a maximum of two fish in excess of 70 centimetres in length - which they have been.

I certainly can understand a drop in the mulloway population, particularly in those estuary systems closer to Sydney and those that permit trawling in the rivers.

Here in Port Stephens, where trawling is not permitted inside the harbour, mulloway are booming with thumping fish being reported in excellent numbers from the reefs, around the islands, off the beaches and right throughout the Port.

I can't recall a better season than this one.

I was always under the impression that mulloway were most common between October and May with a peak in numbers around the mullet run in April.

The reports of mulloway that I have received over the past 12 months suggest the fish are in healthy numbers and that they remain residents of Port Stephens for 12 months of the year. It seems the local water conditions and habitat are ideal for this fish to thrive.

What fascinates me most about these fish is their size, capable of growing to two metres in length. Twenty-kilogram mulloway are quite common in our waters and are targeted right along the Karuah River particularly around the bridges.

The deep water around Middle Island off Soldiers Point is another popular spot for the big fish to gather as is the wreck in Salamander Bay.

After a few weeks' absence due to renovations, Salamander Bait & Tackle, featuring the smiling face of Graham Duffy, is back in business.

Stinker