Big shad and stumpies were among the catches for anglers prepared to brave difficult conditions last week.

Experienced shad anglers were rewarded during early morning and late afternoon sessions, with live bait proving the most effective method for landing larger fish.

Fresh fillets and spoons have also produced consistently, although not as reliably at the larger end of the size range.

With the season closing at the end of the month, there is little time left to catch these fish before anglers must refrain from targeting shad during the spawning season.

Several solid stumpies were caught in the rough surf, with sardine, ghost crab, chokka, mussel, sealice and prawn all worth trying as bait.

Salmon remained widespread and, following the rain, flooded rivers and mixed water should provide ideal conditions.

Fishing for garrick proved tricky, but a few were hooked here and there. River mouths should improve as the sea settles.

Water temperature remained stable at around 20°C and the rough surf could favour brusher.

Although they have been scarce this year, several good fish have been caught farther south.

Lantern and stone bream, copper bream and large blacktail are also worth targeting around rocky outcrops.

Offshore, a strong south-to-north current made bottom fishing difficult last week.

Those who managed to reach the bottom caught daga salmon, quality half-kob, rockcod and red fish, while geelbek continued to provide interest.

Flooded rivers could spoil inshore fishing and push the clean-water line well offshore. Snoek may be difficult to find, although fishing farther north has been excellent.

A recent Mapelane competition produced good snoek, while the winning fish was a 20.8kg prodigal son.