Solid stumpies and good-sized grunter kept surf anglers busy last week, with night fishing producing some of the best catches.

Those enjoying the most success, however, are keeping their favourite spots under wraps.

The grunter spawning season has produced some impressive returns, while shoal salmon and snapper salmon have also featured among the catches. Daga salmon remain popular targets, with live bait yeilding the best results, although fillet baits, chokka and octopus legs have also been successful.

The week began with stormy weather, strong winds and heavy seas, with offshore swells reaching four metres. Conditions improved by midweek, allowing anglers to return to the action, although Sunday’s southerly made fishing uncomfortable. Water temperatures hovered around 22.5°C.

Summer inedibles are beginning to appear, with sand sharks, grey sharks, diamond rays and brown skates reported along the coastline. Anglers will be hoping for another productive summer season.

Reports of pompano have been welcomed by light tackle enthusiasts. Rocky gullies around Ballito, Salt Rock, Sheffield and Tinley Manor offer excellent opportunities for pompano, rockcod and other reef species. Soft plastic lures, crabs, mussels and rock bait are worth trying in these areas. Sandy beaches are offer opportunities for wave garrick, three-spot pompano and mullet in the shore break.

Ski boat anglers concentrated on the bottom reefs, with daga salmon, half-kob, soldiers and rockcod featuring in catches.

Yellowtail and the occasional amberjack added variety, while geelbek provided excellent night-time fishing.

Garrick remain plentiful but should soon begin their southward migration. Snoek are still being caught near the backline, with reports of dorado and the occasional barracouta. Yellowfin tuna remain active further north, particularly around Cape Vidal, while anglers eagerly await the start of the billfish season.