By Kate Shelton PM002

As the weather settles down, local and visiting anglers have ample opportunities to cast a line on the beautiful Mid North Coast region.

In the Camden Haven River, a few Drummer are still lingering, with some impressive catches, including some up to three kilos, being reported off the rocks. Cunjevoi has proven to be a productive bait. Tailor fishing has been average, with Crowdy Head demonstrating to be a productive location. For those targeting Luderick, Bonny Hills is worth exploring, particularly if you can float some cabbage in the washes. Beach anglers have been finding nice Bream and the occasional solid Salmon. In the river, local anglers fishing the breakwall have caught some decent Flathead and Bream during the day high tides. Keep an eye on Lake Cathie as we will start to see some school prawns and mud crabs as we head into the warmer months.

In the Hastings River, Luderick fishing is gradually slowing down, but persistent anglers can still find success at the breakwall using green weed and weed flies. Bream numbers have been slow, but fishing has been more productive towards the mouth of the river using bait. Flathead numbers are on the rise, making most parts of the Hastings worth exploring. Offshore, game fishing anglers have been targeting striped marlin with success. Hopefully we will be in for a bumper upcoming season on the inshore black marlin.  Snapper remain active but require more effort, with anchoring and burling proving effective. Kingfish have been plentiful around Trag Rock and Crescent Head. You could almost always guarantee a feed by fishing the flathead grounds in around fifty metres of water.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) installed the fish aggregating devices (FADs) ready for the upcoming summer fishing season. Fisheries Aggregating Devices, or FADs, are strategically placed along the NSW coast during the warmer months. FADs are GPS-tracked floating buoys anchored to the ocean floor to attract fast growing pelagic fish species such as mahi mahi, marlin and wahoo. See below for the GPS Coordinates for our local FADs. 

South West Rocks 30° 50.534′ 153° 11.803′

Hat Head 31° 00.636′ 153° 07.795′

Port Macquarie 31° 24.567′ 153° 04.725′

Laurieton 31° 39.601′ 152° 56.235′

Photo – Kaleb Cooper with his first striped marlin he caught skip-baiting on local game fishing boat ‘Eastbound’ skippered by Joel Pavy

This month we have a fishing report from Kate Shelton and news of the SROCP radio course run by Gordon Kimpton.

August was another relatively quiet month due to weather keeping us at home. Even when there are no boats logged on in the Port Macquarie area the SARCC radio base operates 24/7. Our radio operators are kept busy after hours monitoring the bases from Forster/Tuncurry in the south to Point Danger on the Queensland border, tracking seafarers transiting our area. The rescue of a yacht caught in a storm en route to Lord Howe Island was initiated by our SARCC team. The AMSA helicopter was called in and the rescue was completed by the Police boat at Lord Howe, which had a difficult job to tow the vessel and its two POB to safety.

Our boat crews were on hand at Port Macquarie to give local assistance and recovery during August. They were also out on the water running training routines every week.

Radio Training

Watch Officer Gordon Kimpton conducted a free SROCP (Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency) course which was attended by 7 of our PM Radio club members. Five have volunteered to go on and complete the exam to be licensed operators and be able to add a MMSI indicator to their DSC radios. This will enable them to use all the facilities of the DSC radios. The class was well received with lots of questions and from the Marine Rescue perspective we now have seven better skilled radio operators. We will probably run another class late in the year, we will let you know via this newsletter. The course is free for paid up PM Radio Club members.

The SROCP qualification allows the operator to operate the VHF marine radiotelephony equipment only. The examination consists of a 25 multi-choice question paper (duration 30 minutes with a 70% pass mark) and a practical component.

Applicants for the Short Range Certificate of Proficiency are required to:

• Demonstrate a practical knowledge of … VHF radio telephony equipment with digital selective calling (DSC) facilities, and emergency position indicating radio beacons of the 406 MHz and 121.5/243 type.
• Demonstrate an ability to use VHF radio telephony and digital selective calling (DSC) operating procedures, particularly those relating to distress, urgency and safety.
• Demonstrate an understanding of simple maintenance practices required to keep the marine radio equipment … in good working order, including the repair of minor faults.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the regulations applicable to ship stations equipped with VHF radio telephony and digital selective calling facilities.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Australian marine search and rescue system.
• Demonstrate a practical knowledge of marine radio operations and equipment.

Lord Howe Island Rescue

What a great team effort to bring those 2 young sailors in safely.  Vessel crew, LHI shore crew, PM radio, JRCC and their awesome aircraft coverage made for one hell of a good team.  Your guys at PM radio were awesome as usual.  As you know good comms is paramount in these jobs and our comms with PM were first class.  Please pass on our sincere thanks to your entire team.

Kind Regards,

Jim McFadyen

Unit Commander

Lord Howe Island

Marine Rescue NSW

Statistics

International Maritime Rescue Federation Conference

We are proud to highlight our Deputy Unit Commander for Operations (DUCO) – Ali Cameron-Brown – who was invited to fly to Sydney in August for the International Maritime Rescue Federation Women in SAR conference. Well done Ali. Keep up the great work. Ali was joined by Mike Dale and Dustin Welbourne for the Regional Seminar, held at the Cruising Yacht Club and hosted by Marine Rescue NSW.

August Angling Update

from Kate Shelton

Salmon, Bream, and Luderick Bite Across the Mid-North Coast. Down south, the Camden Haven River region has been a hotspot for anglers, with local anglers reporting some impressive catches. Dunbogan Beach has been
particularly productive, holding a good number of salmon. However, August weather has proved to be challenging for those venturing offshore, with conditions not ideal for offshore fishing trips.

In the Hastings River, luderick have slowed down a bit in the lower reaches, although the break walls are still worth a shot if you’re using green weed or sea cabbage. On a more positive note, bream fishing has picked up, with Limeburners Creek holding some nice fish. Both yabbies and mullet gut have been effective baits in this area.
For rock fishing anglers, Point Plomer and Queens have been yielding some quality tailor. Closer to home, the area below the Lighthouse has also produced a few decent bags of tailor. Bream fishing has been reasonable from the rocks, with those who get out for the dawn sessions enjoying the best results.

Further north in the Macleay region, the river continues to be a reliable spot for luderick and bream, with good-sized fish being caught off the local wharfs and break walls. Along the beaches, there’s still plenty of bream action, along with the occasional dart. While tailor have been a bit patchy, it’s worth checking out Gap Beach at first light, as casting metal lures or pilchards has proven to be a successful strategy.

Photo – Levi Taylor had an incredible day at the Lake Cathie Fishing Club’s latest
outing. The young angler landed several awards and is shown here with the
impressive bream and luderick he weighed in.

Community

Science Week Wrap up

• All in all… a success! We connected with the community and put on a show.
• Turnout on the first week was down likely due to weather, but the second week, I think we might have had a few hundred come by the shed.
• The boat tours were a hit.
• Nat Welsh’s talk on fire fighting was a hit. No one caught on fire. Win!

Positions Vacant

We are always on the lookout for new members in the crew, the SARCC or in our fundraising teams. If you can help, contact Merryn Farrell: fundraising.portmacquarie@marinerescuensw.com.au

Links:

Radio Club newsletter

Got a story? Contact Ron or Brendon: radioclub.portmacquarie@marinerescuensw.com.au

MRPMQ Facebook page:

This is our public facing Facebook. Drop in, like a post, comment. https://www.facebook.com/mrnswportmacquarie

MRPMQ Webpage: https://marinerescueportmacquarie.com.au

App Log On/Log Off

The Marine Rescue NSW app can be downloaded free from the App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices. Search for ‘Marine Rescue NSW’. Please remember to Log Off.

Not a Radio Club member yet? Join the club at:

https://www.marinerescueportmacquarie.com.au/pm-radio-club-member-new-membership-application/

or drop into the radio base at:

2/15 Elliot Way, Port Macquarie

Ph: 02 5547 9100

It’s been a quiet month for us with the weather continuing to not play fair. Still, it gives us all a chance to catch up on that boat maintenance and revise our seafaring skills.

This month we invite you to join our free radio course with Gordon Kimpton. We outline the radio repeaters in our area, some tips on float line snapper fishing and a recipe for fish tacos, plus our regular info and statistics.

If you would like to contribute an article or three that may be of interest to your fellow boaties, fishos or radio chatterers, send us an email at radioclub.portmacquarie@marinerescuensw.com.au

Free Marine Radio Usage Course

In one day, Gordon Kimpton will cover the theory and practical aspects of marine radio operation. You will help us to help you! You will be equipped to take the exam if you wish to get the Marine Radio Operators license*.

*The course is free for financial members. There is a cost for the license. This is beyond Marine Rescue’s control.

When: Saturday 23 August 2025. 0900 – 1530

Where: Emergency Centre, Central Road (near Fire Station)

Bring: Nothing! Light lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.

Enrol Now! Email Gordon Kimpton at kimptongl@gmail.com or message to 0407 108 350

Marine Radio Repeaters Regional Coverage Map

Marine Radio Repeater Regional Coverage

Which channel should I be calling on?

While the initial call should be made on VHF channel 16, there will be some locations that will have poor coverage. Channel 16 operates in a ‘line of sight’ mode. Locations that are shadowed from the line of sight will experience poor or no reception. To reach further distances we utilise a radio repeater station.

A radio repeater is a combination of a radio receiver and a radio transmitter that receives a signal and retransmits it, so that two-way radio signals can cover longer distances. A repeater sited at a high elevation can allow two mobile stations, otherwise out of line-of-sight propagation range of each other, to communicate (from Wikipedia).

To the North of Port Macquarie the VHF repeater channel is 80 and further north again (Coffs Harbour) is Ch 81.

The South repeater channel is 21.

The repeaters operate for 30 seconds and then cut off. If you have a  longer message, then you will need to break transmission every 30 seconds.

In Port Macquarie we also monitor channels VHF 71 and UHF (CB) 88.

Float Line Fishing for Snapper

By Jim Gardner – Ned Kelly’s Bait n Tackle

Snapper

In this article, we will talk about catching snapper using a technique called ‘float line fishing’.

https://marinerescueportmacquarie.com.au/radioclubnews/float-line-fishing-for-snapper.pdf

Statistics

App Log On/Log Off

The Marine Rescue NSW app can be downloaded free from the App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices. Search for ‘Marine Rescue NSW’. Please remember to Log Off.

Not a Radio Club member yet? Join the club at:

PM Radio Club Member New Membership Application

or drop into the radio base.

Visit us:

On the Web: https://www.marinerescueportmacquarie.com.au

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrnswportmacquarie

Or call in at the radio base:

2/15 Elliot Way, Port Macquarie

Ph: 02 5547 9100

Email: radioclub.portmacquarie@marinerescuensw.com.au

A very brief newsletter this month as our Editor Ron Francis has been out of action and has handed over the reins of the newsletter. Thanks Ron, for all your hard work in the Radio Club. Ron will still be on the air logging us on (and off) and keeping us safe.

We’ll pick up more great stories, fishing tips, recipes and news next month.

To say that May hasn’t been a good month for boating would be stating the obvious. With 739 mm of rain over the first 25 days, heavy seas and a moody bar we are all feeling the effects of ‘cabin fever’. Let’s hope that the foul weather is behind us and we can all get out again.

In the last week our crews were on call assisting boaties and the general community. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to those in our community who were hit the hardest.

This month we are asking for help through our MAYDAY appeal. Donations can be made through our website or at the base.

MAYDAY is a call for help.

This May we want you to answer our call for help by giving to our MAYDAY appeal.

MAYDAY is a call for help. This May we want you to answer our call for help by giving to our MAYDAY appeal.

Also inside…

News and Events

Ned Kelly’s Tips & Tricks (Don’t miss the special offer this month)!

Cooking the Catch

Notes from the Chart Table

A pdf version of this newsletter can be downloaded from this link

Statistics for 2025

App Log On/Log Off

The Marine Rescue NSW app can be downloaded free from the App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices. Search for ‘Marine Rescue NSW’.

Please remember to Log Off.

PM Radio Club Member New Membership Application

Charts

Fully laminated 30cm X 15cm charts which provide detail of the river and popular fishing spots off Port Macquarie including GPS coordinates are available from Town Beach Radio Room, between the hours of 0800 & 1600, at a cost of S10.

This Month’s Dad’s Quotation

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day,

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat and drink beer all day!”

Until our next issue:

HAPPY BOATING & STAY SAFE ON THE WATER

April was a real mixed bag with the early part of the month providing reasonable off shore conditions. Then the winds and rain returned and with the added impact of the Cyclone off New Zealand, putting an end to any trips off shore with huge swells along the NSW coast.

Yet again sadly, people disregarded these conditions and wearing of Life Jackets, with the result being the loss of 5 lives over the Easter Break. Please help us to continue Spreading the Word that Life Jackets do save lives.

During May, Marine Rescue NSW will be running a campaign entitled MAYDAY 2025, with the specific objective of raising funds to help offset the ever increasing operating and maintenance costs.

Keep your eye on social media and the special web page where donations can be directed to a specific unit, and to see all the details and updates.

This month’s newsletter features tips on catching Jew fish, cooking Marlin and reading wind and waves.

This month we look at Fishing for Drummer and a recipe for Monk Fish, plus our local news and… name that fish!

Link here

This month we feature a cross section of the various anchors and their properties, a list of expired flare collection points and dates, an Atlantic salmon recipe and tips for beach fishing.

Link here

Check out the leader board for logons in January (232 total. Only the top 3 or more are displayed).

Marine Rescue NSW