January 27, 2026
Stinker’s Fishin’: snapper remain excellent
Fishing

Stinker’s Fishin’: snapper remain excellent

THIRD generation Broughton Islander, Scotty Brown was floating an unweighted yellowtail bait in eight metres of water just off North Island when WHAMO! Scott had hooked something that took off like the last bus to Lemon Tree. À mighty battle on 8kg mono and a 5/0 hook followed, as the mighty fish rocketed through the […]

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Stinker’s Fishin’: everyone needs a boat
Fishing

Stinker’s Fishin’: everyone needs a boat

STOP thinking about it and go and buy a boat! What better present at this time of the year than a boat that can take you to all parts of the Port and maybe to the open ocean. Buying a boat requires some thought and consultation with others you intend to share the boating experience […]

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Stinker’s Fishin’: giant snapper Local champ Paul Lennon knows where the monsters hide.
Fishing

Stinker’s Fishin’: giant snapper

EVERYONE I know wants to catch a snapper – a big one – to take a photograph to stick on the fridge for years to come. If it is a big snapper you are chasing, you have come to the right spot. Monsters in excess of 10kg are cruising through the perfect habitat that the […]

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Stinker’s Christmas fishing guide
Fishing

Stinker’s Christmas fishing guide

Blue swimmer crabs and monster flathead can be found inside the port. Blue swimmer crabs and monster flathead can be found inside the port. LIKE so many, Christmas is my favourite time of the year. Time for the family to gather and time to all sit at the same table. This year give the turkey […]

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Stinker’s Fishin’: Hit the beaches Whiting season in full swing.
Fishing

Stinker’s Fishin’: Hit the beaches

DECEMBER means warm water, Christmas Bush, growing excitement and whiting. Big, broad shouldered, bright eyed, 40cm whiting swimming onto all the beaches between Stockton and Fingal. Recent reports suggest we are in for a bumper season as schools of whiting have taken up residence in the shallows on the beaches. Catching a whiting is not […]

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Stinker’s Fishin’: Wallaby on Broughton Island
Fishing

Stinker’s Fishin’: Wallaby on Broughton Island

AUSTRALIAN rugby union international Mark Gerrard took a break from his Warringah coaching duties to spend a few days walking the beaches and catching fish on and around Broughton Island. A Wallaby on 23 occasions, Mark was a first-time visitor to Broughton Island and has vowed to return. Accompanying Mark was Scott Levi, announcer of […]

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Stinker’s History: Naming islands A unique snap of Esmeralda Cove on Broughton Island.
Fishing

Stinker’s History: Naming islands

THE “Broughton Islands” were named after Captain William Broughton, whose first visit to our coastline was in August 1795 when he sought shelter, during adverse weather, in the lee of the islands near the entrance to Port Stephens on board HMS Providence. The name “Broughton Islands” appears to have been adopted by the 1860s with […]

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Stinker’s Fishin’: Hummer drummer
Fishing

Stinker’s Fishin’: Hummer drummer

OVER the coming weeks, if my Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) site is accurate, we are in for some rough weather accompanied by a bumpy sea. As the sea continues to settle the local headlands and rocky outcrops along our coastline, between Birubi and Tomaree, become a focus for those who chase a tenacious scrapper we […]

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Stinker’s Fishin’: Offshore fishing wonderland Local champ Benny Doolan with an offshore monster snapper.
Fishing

Stinker’s Fishin’: Offshore fishing wonderland

OFFSHORE fishing from Birubi north to Broughton Island is as good as it gets. Snapper is without doubt the most sought after fish because of its tenacious fighting qualities and outstanding performance in the kitchen. The offshore coastal stretch to Seal Rocks, including the islands, is dominated by reef – ideal habitat for snapper. Mulloway […]

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Stinker’s History: Greek fishermen A Greek hut on Broughton Island.
Fishing

Stinker’s History: Greek fishermen

IT was early in the 1900s when two Greek merchant mariners were paid off on the docks in Melbourne and headed north searching for somewhere to start a new life, hopefully somewhere that reminded them of their homeland. Nick Catsicas and Spiro Spathos agreed that Nelson Bay and Broughton Island in particular was that special […]

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