A welcome visitor to our waters, the cobia is considered more of a northern fish which can grow to an impressive two metres in length and can be mistaken for a shark as it swims on the surface.

Call it what you wish, the cobia is an excellent table fish and is one of the best fighting fish that I have encountered. Just ask local champion Al Wilson who battled one of these monsters while fishing for snapper in the shadows of Tomaree headland.

To catch a cobia you need a strong back, heaps of fishing line and a fair amount of good luck.

I can’t recall seeing so much bait fish in the water particularly yellowtail, slimy mackerel and bonito. Huge schools of small nervous garfish are swimming from Rocky Point to Broughton Island. This is a great sign for the future.

Port Stephens Council’s decision to make life jackets compulsory for rock fishers is responsible as it supports all the rescue organisations, Life Savers, Water Police, Rescue Helicopters and Marine Rescue who put their lives on the line to save ours. Well done.

If you’ve got a picture of a whopper, or a fishing yarn to share, you can email it to stinkerfishing@yahoo.com with your contact number and details about your catch.