Scott Sharpe from Culburra Bait and Tackle said that compared to other seasons there appeared to be more families fishing from the shore rather than from boats.

“There are still plenty of boat owners out there but we have seen more families going fishing this season, which is great,” Mr Sharpe said.

He said business had been brisk and rated this season as one of the best.

Other bait shop operators agreed.

Dave Venn from Huskisson’s Jervis Bay Tackle said he always received good patronage from families and that he had been busy, particularly for the first two-and-a-half weeks of the holiday season.

Mr Venn said not as many boats had been pulling up in front of his shop.

He said whiting, bream and tailor were just some of the fish being caught in Jervis Bay.

Col Cropper from Sussex Tackle Shop said he had also noticed the family fishing trend.

“I would say yes, there has been a return of families coming in and buying fishing tackle,” he said.

Mr Cropper said the weather was a major factor.

“If we don’t get good weather conditions in our game, then you can forget it,” he said.

St Georges Basin is one of the areas where the fishing is particularly good.

Mr Sharpe said the world’s worst fisher could catch a fish in the Basin – as long as they used the right equipment.

“Not having professional fishermen in the Basin is a major factor and has led to a massive increase in fish numbers,” Mr Sharpe said.

He rates St Georges Basin as a major recreational fishing asset.

Mr Sharpe heard of fish up to a metre long being caught and jewfish weighing up to 10kg being landed.

Despite the large numbers of tourists baiting hooks, Mr Sharpe said there were plenty of fish for all.

“If people just take what they need for a feed and not over-exploit the resource then the fishing should be good for years to come,” he said.

St Georges Basin has a number of artificial reefs, but Mr Sharpe said the reefs wouldn’t reach their full potential for a few years.

However, the signs are good and snapper weighing up to four kilograms had been caught near the reefs.