Rock on: The south coast is clear with multiple species on tap

And if you're fishing the south coast rocks and beaches over the next month or two, it's likely you'll find yourself in this very situation.

In winter, the crowds disappear, but the fish don't.

In fact, schools of salmon and tailor are often thicker in the cooler months - and there's always a few trevally, bream and drummer hanging around, too.

Right now is arguably the peak season for rock fishing. Mixed bags are the order of the day, with multiple species on tap from the one location.

The key is to fish as light as possible - heavy sinkers will simply result in a succession of snags and a lot of lost tackle.

A pea-sized sinker is all you need to get your bait into the strike zone without it fouling on the rocks and weed.

I like fishing lightly weighted baits such as prawns, cunje, squid, pilchard pieces and even bread just a few metres from the stones, where the wash and white-water provides cover for feeding fish.

You'll be surprised what you can catch just a short cast from your feet - a single session can yield half a dozen species.

There are good catches being taken up and down the coast, with just about any ledge worth a try.

Of course, safety is paramount when embarking on any rock-hopping.

You definitely don't have to take risks to catch fish - look for safe, dry ledges, wear appropriate footwear, and completely avoid the rocks altogether if the seas are rough.

Trout streams are closed until October but there's some great fishing on offer in the mountain lakes, which are open year-round.

A stack of ex-brood stock Atlantic salmon and brook trout were recently released into Lake Jindabyne and are starting to appear in anglers' catches.

The best area is the stretch of shoreline between the caravan park and Creel Bay.