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From the Harwood Bridge
downstream Flathead can be caught on the drift almost the full year
around, while Jewfish can be found in the deep water along the bank
at Palmers Island as they chase the schools of Mullet preparing for
their spawning run. Browns Rocks and the shoreline of Goodwood
Island produce good Bream and Flathead, with the deeper water along
the southern bank carrying plenty of fish during a fresh.
 Lake
Wooloweyah, the Oyster Channel and Romiaka Channel, near Yamba are
all top spots particularly after heavy rain. Lake Wooloweyah carries
a lot of Flathead and Bream and is a popular spot for crabbing.
Oyster Channel and Romiaka are favourite spots for those seeking
Blackfish, with some of the best estuary fishing in Australia.
Access to the Middle
Wall, Collis' Wall and the Turkeys Nest can only be obtained by
boat, but in the winter months the rocks are crowded with fishermen
seeking the Blackfish which are moving to sea on their spawning run.
One of the secret baits used by locals for the Blackfish is a black
weed known as "black magic" which is almost unknown elsewhere.
Supplies are usually available at most bait shops or can be obtained
from some of the drainage canals through the cane fields.
During the summer
months the river's training walls are an ideal location for fishing
for the large Flathead which spawn in the hotter weather. There are
plenty of small Herring to use as bait as well as the traditional
Mullet strips or White Pilchards.
The walls are also a
favourite feeding place for the big Jewfish which feed on schools of
fish as they move to sea. They appear in large numbers when the
river carries a fresh or is in flood, feeding on the stupefied fish
as they are washed out in the dirty water. In these conditions they
bite on almost anything, including feathered lures.
 The numerous headlands
and long beaches offer plenty of opportunities for those who wish to
have a more relaxed fishing holiday.
Woody
and Iluka Bluffs, just to the north of the entrance to the Clarence
are renowned for large Tailor and Jewfish. Blue Pilchards are
preferred baits but the fish also bite freely on metal and plastic
lures. During the winter months big Snapper also move into the
shallower water and can be picked up off the rocks.
Offshore boats, up to
about six metres, have beach access to the sea from launching ramps
at Iluka, Yamba and Sandon, while lighter boats can be launched over
the beach at Woody Head and Brooms Head. All boats putting to sea
are advised to contact the local coastguard at Iluka so that action
can be taken in an emergency.
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