The warm shallows west of Soldiers Point provides the ideal environment for big, lazy "lizards" to nestle into the sand on the edge of the extensive weed banks and wait patiently for an unsuspecting prawn or fingerling to swim past.

"Whammo!" the strike is sudden. There is only one winner.

Those who target duskies have kilometres of foreshore to wander, on a rising tide, on sunrise tossing plastics and hard bodied lures.

Others, like myself, choose a well-presented bait of pilchards, hardy heads, poddy mullet or strips of slimy mackerel, mullet or bonito.

Set on a gang of 3x3/0 hooks - the flathead can't help themselves.

At certain times of the year the duskies move down into the port and onto the beaches.

Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, Jimmies Beach and Corrie Island load up with broad shouldered, bright-eyed duskies ready to rumble.

With the breeze blowing over your shoulder and the sun peeking over the horizon, toss into the shallow water... and hang on!

It's mullet time. Excited schools are swimming north along the beaches. Sea mullet are a beautiful fish, so get ready to light up the barbie.