I think it fair to say that bream give more enjoyment year-round than most other species, whether you are tossing a pipi or worm off the beaches or casting a prawn bait anywhere around Soldiers Point.

Other hot spots include the Torpedo Tubes under the shadows of Tomaree Headland, the Grit Hole on Fingal Island and the Nelson Bay break wall.

Having said that, there is hardly a spot in Port Stephens that you cannot catch a bream!

While there are restrictions in place, it pleases me to see families out on the water or fishing the beaches.

I have always said that fishing is a wonderful recreation to relieve pressures none more so than now.

Over the last two weeks I have been three times out in front of the Fingal Lighthouse in "Stinkpot".

Over that period I have been joined by a humpback that nearly run over me, a pilot whale and seal that circled my tinny, a turtle that stayed with me, heaps of dolphins and a couple of fairy penguins. It's a zoo out there.

Recreational fishing is still permitted under the NSW lockdown rules. You are allowed to go fishing with one other person (excluding household members) but you can only fish in your LGA or if outside your LGA within 5km from your home. You are not permitted to travel along a water system outside your LGA or further than 5km from your home to reach coastal waters. Fishing offshore is allowed within 5km from your home.