Fishing Report for 10th April 2025

Fishing Report Thu 10 Apr 2025

New lifejacket laws came into effect on December 1, visit MSQ website for details.

Hervey Bay / Fraser Island

The fishing scene has been quite productive lately, with tuna, Spanish mackerel, golden trevally, and queenfish being reported in Platypus Bay. The inshore waters, however, are still quite murky due to recent rainfall, particularly around the Straights, Big Woody Island, and the river heads down to Burrum. This has persisted for about a month, and while it had been clearing up, another heavy downpour has set things back. Despite the murky conditions, inshore fishing remains solid. Grassy sweet lips, Nannygai, and coral trout continue to be caught, along with good numbers of snapper and Spanish mackerel.

Out wide, particularly around the gutters and the 25-fathom hole, sharks have been a bit of a nuisance in deeper waters. However, when anglers can get past the sharks, an array of reef fish, including snapper, cod, trout, and grassies, have been showing up. In the Burram system, prawns are still running, thanks to fresh water pushing them into the system. Prawn and flathead fishing has been very strong around the river mouths this week. On local beaches, tailor have started showing up along Fraser Coast beaches, with reports of good catches picking up.

Fishos Tackleworld
Ph (07) 4128 1022 | www.fishostackleworld.com.au

Tin Can Bay

Pack the raincoats and the crab pots—crabs are definitely on the move across the creeks in Tin Can Bay and the Great Sandy Strait thanks to the recent rain. Focus your efforts around the middle reaches down towards the creek mouths and flats near Carlo and the powerlines. Big fresh baits and a long soak are the go for a decent haul.

If you’re keen for a fish, heading up one of the creeks could be worth it, with mangrove jacks and cod still active. Floating live baits back into the snags around the top of the tide is a reliable way to tempt a bite.

The Chandlery Bait & Tackle
Ph (07) 5486 4744 | www.tcbchandlery.com.au

Maroochydore

Jewfish are being caught at the Codhole and around the Petrie Creek area. Mud crabs are active in the middle to upper reaches, while whiting and bream are plentiful from Chambers Island down towards the river mouth.

Swan Boat Hire
Ph 0403 601 452 |www.swanboathire.com.au

Noosa

The reef fishing has been excellent out at the Barwon Banks and the Hards this week, with gold band, pearl perch, moses perch, tuskfish, gold spot cod, amberjack, and more all on the bite. It’s been easy fishing, as long as the weather cooperates. Locally, the reefs are producing mackerel, tuna, pearl perch, jewfish, moses perch, and plenty of sharks, especially with the moon phase approaching next week.

Deep Sea Fishing Co Noosa
Ph 0411 222 749 | www.deepseafishingco.com.au

There have been heaps of grunter around the woods, with flathead fishing doing well on the ebb tide around the river mouth. Decent whiting have been caught in the area, particularly on prawn baits. Additionally, a fair number of juvenile trevally have been feeding on small baits around the Sound.

Noosa River Fishing Safaris
Ph 0429 030 823 | www.noosariverfishing.com

This week, anglers focused mainly around Sunshine Reef. With good numbers of Spanish mackerel hitting live baits, along with sweetlip, snapper, coral trout, and cod. There were also big schools of longtail tuna spotted on the surface in Laguna Bay.

Noosa Bluewater Charters
Ph (07) 5449 9355 | www.noosabluefishing.com.au

The Noosa River is fishing surprisingly well despite the fresh water flow. Noosaville has been producing plenty of nice whiting, with bream found throughout the lower stretches of the river, from Noosaville to Tewantin. A couple of good-sized flathead were also caught on the drift through the Noosaville stretches.

Mud crabs are still being caught, with around three or four in a pot, usually one of which is legal size.

O Boat Hire & Bait Supply
Ph (07) 5449 7513 | www.oboathire.com

Mooloolaba

In the Maroochy River, whiting have been found around the river mouth, while flathead are being caught east of the motorway bridge. Mangrove jack are still active throughout the Mooloolah system. Mud crabs have been moving through the deeper holes and estuary channels. Trevally have been spotted around the trawler docks, and bream are being caught near Labolta Park.

Offshore, Spanish mackerel have been taken around Barwon Banks and Murphy’s Reef. Longtail tuna have shown up off Point Cartwright. Snapper are fishing well out at the Hards, with snapper and pearl perch also reported off Caloundra Wide. Column Reef is producing good numbers of grassy sweetlip.

Tackleworld Kawana
Ph (07) 5444 0714 | www.tackleworldkawanafishingstore.com.au

Spanish mackerel are active on the inshore reefs, with both live and dead bait proving effective. Out halfway to the Barwon Banks, cobia and amberjack are being hooked on live bait. For those bottom-bashing at the Barwon Banks, trevally, hussar, and tuskfish are on the bite. Mahi mahi are showing up at the FADs, with live bait the key to attracting them.

Smithys Fishing Charters
Ph 0407 574 868 | www.smithysfishingcharters.com.au

Caloundra

Monday’s weather turned it on, and with calm seas, plenty of boats made the most of it offshore. Spanish mackerel, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna were all landed out wide off the Barwon Banks. Spanish mackerel were also found closer in around Currimundi Reef, where sweetlip and squire have been on the chew as well. Caloundra 12 Mile is still producing a steady run of reef fish.

Longtail tuna have been showing up between Currimundi and Caloundra, though they’re very bait-dependent—if you find the bait, you’re likely to find the fish. Inside the passage things have been a bit slower, but queenfish and trevally are still being caught throughout the Pelican Waters canals. For mangrove jack, try working live baits or hardbodies around the snags in Bells Creek and Coochin Creek.

There’s been a strong run of mud crabs moving through the passage—pretty much anywhere you drop a pot with fresh bait is worth a shot at the moment. Whiting and tailor have both been slow, but there have been some tarwhine taken along the beaches from Currimundi to Wurtulla, mostly out of the deeper gutters.

Caloundra Fishing World
Ph (07) 5491 4566 | www.caloundrafishingworld.com.au

Bribie Island

There have been plenty of bream around Bongaree Jetty lately. One angler even hooked a jewfish right up to the jetty, but a shark swooped in and took it! Mud crabs are still being flushed out and can be found in areas like False Ningi Creek, Donnybrook, and Toorbul.

Spotted mackerel are being reported at the front of Bribie, while a nice-sized flathead was recently caught at Red Beach.

* Note — Gateway Bribie Adventures will be closing down on the 11th April 2025, with all stock being sold at major discounts. Give Cheryl and the team a call or visit to grab a great bargain. We will greatly miss cheryl but they have opened up a camping site called “Esk Ponds Getaway”

Gateway Bribie Adventures
Ph (07) 5497 5253 | https://www.facebook.com/gatewaybaitandtackle/

Northern Moreton Bay

Flathead have been caught around the mouth of the Pine River, particularly around the top of the tide, along with a few bream. Off Redcliffe, some snapper have been landed during the early morning, although jewfish have been a bit slow in that area. Better reports of jewfish, tailor, and threadfin are coming from the mouth of the Brisbane River, where activity is starting to pick up.

In the Caboolture River, there have been good numbers of mud crabs towards the mouth along with some flathead. Whiting have been patchy further up the river. Meanwhile, the Pumicestone Passage has seen better fishing this week, with flathead and whiting reported, as well as a strong run of mud crabs moving through.

Offshore activity has been limited due to weather, but there have been good numbers of school mackerel showing up around the northern Bay beacons. Spotted mackerel are starting to mix in with them, although the tuna haven’t really made a solid appearance just yet. Notable catches this week include a massive 98cm snapper landed from a kayak just off Redcliffe and a big cobia caught on bait off the Shorncliffe Jetty.

Tackleworld Lawnton  
Ph (07) 3205 7475 | www.facebook.com/tackleworldlawnton

Sandgate

This week has seen some impressive catches around Moreton Bay, including cobia, mackerel, bream, and more. A standout catch was a 108cm cobia, landed on the Shorncliffe Pier using live bait. The fish struck the first bait thrown in, providing an exciting and hectic fight before being landed with the help of fellow anglers. In another highlight, a first-time angler landed a nice bream on Wednesday at the same pier. This marks the start of what’s sure to be a long fishing journey!

The Shorncliffe Pier has been teeming with bait fish, attracting plenty of big predators, including several Spanish mackerel. From the start to the end of the pier, anglers have been reeling in good catches. One of the notable catches was a 53cm mackerel that gave a young angler quite the challenge.

A reminder: cast nets are prohibited on the Shorncliffe Pier, with fines of up to $800.

Tackle Land 
Ph (07) 3269 5060 | www.tackleland.com.au

Brisbane River

The Brisbane River has been fishing well again this week, with solid reports of jewfish and threadfin salmon from the upper reaches down to the mouth—one standout capture was a hefty golden threadfin, noticeably bigger than those seen recently. Snapper and a few grunter have also been taken around the Gateway stretch, along with the usual bream and flathead throughout the lower reaches.

Mud crabs have been active in the same area, especially around the mangroves near the river mouth. Over on the eastern side of Fisherman’s Island, sand crabs have been turning up, and there’s been some decent whiting action in the same location. Out toward Green and Mud Islands, Squire and sweetlip are still coming off the reef edges there, though reports of mackerel have dropped off a bit this week—possibly due to the tides.

Looking ahead, the weather is expected to stay a bit rough until at least Tuesday, but beyond that, it’s looking a little more promising—worth keeping an eye on the long-range forecast.

Mr Bait 
Ph 0431 222 721 | www.facebook.com/Mr-Bait-182344678957765

Moreton Bay Offshore

No report this week.

High Calibre Charters
Ph 0421 922 713 | https://highcalibrefishingcharters.com.au/

This Monday just gone was picture-perfect with great weather, and the fishing’s been fantastic! Gold band snapper have been showing up at the 35s, alongside big cuttlefish (see image in gallery). Maori cod and a huge tuskfish were pulled from Shallow Tempest, while gold spot and a stunning coral cod came from Robert’s Shoal.

Moreton island fishing charters
Ph 0413128056 | https://moretonislandfishingcharters.com.au/

Redcliffe Peninsula

Bream, whiting, flathead, grunter, and school jew are being caught in Hayes, the Pine, and Bramble Bay. Yellowfin whiting are also present in Hayes, the Pine, and the eastern foreshores, with a few scattered Winter whiting starting to show up. Snapper, plenty of grunter, and some tailor are being caught off the eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshore areas. School mackerel are going well off Woody Point Jetty and around the beacons in the Bay. Mud crabs are active in the rivers and creeks.

Hornibrook Bait & Tackle
Ph 0483 846 966 www.facebook.com/HornibrookBT

Redland Bay

There’s been plenty of snapper and black-spot tuskfish caught around Harry Atkinson Artificial and the nearby foreground areas, with grassy sweetlip mixed in as well. In the Bay, there are still some good mackerel being caught, with plenty of school mackerel and spotties moving through the Rous Channel, northern channels, and up towards Tangalooma. A few mackerel are also still being picked up through the Rainbow Channel, where longtail tuna have also made a small appearance. Whiting have been fishing well throughout the Rous and Rainbow Channels too, and there are still plenty of mud crabs on the move. Tailor are starting to show up around the Bay, with reports coming in from Cleveland and the surrounding areas.

Offshore fishing has been strong with big snapper, pearl perch, and tuskfish being caught around the 29s and 36s. There have also been good numbers of Spanish mackerel coming from the grounds off Point Lookout and the 7th Reef near Flat Rock.

Mossops Tackle Store Cleveland
Ph (07) 3821 1240 | www.mossopsfishing.com.au

Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin

The water around Jumpinpin is slowly starting to clean up, with better fishing found in the clearer water on the incoming tide. This weekend’s bigger tides and moon phase should push in more clean water, making areas closer to the mouth worth targeting. Spots like the Kalinga bank, the lagoons on South Stradbroke Island, and the tip of Crusoe Island are all likely to hold fish. The water around the Bedrooms, Five Ways, and Tiger Mullet Channel has been showing small pockets of cleaner water, and there have been good numbers of quality flathead caught in those areas, particularly along the weed edges. As the water cools, baitfish tend to hold closer to the weed beds, so working lures in close should be productive. Schools of jewfish and threadfin salmon have also been turning up, and they don’t seem to mind the dirtier water. Current lines in three to six metres of depth have been producing, with fish found even in heavily discoloured water.

In Moreton Bay, the shallow reefs around Peel, Mud, and Goat Islands are still fishing well. Water clarity improves from Coochiemudlo north, and anglers focusing their efforts there have been landing good-sized squire, snapper, and sweetlip from the reef edges. Harry Atkinson Artificial has also been fishing well, especially when sharks aren’t too heavy on the bite—there have been quality tuskfish and snapper taken from structure in that area over the past week. Sounding around for bait schools and structure has been the key. There are early signs of longtail tuna starting to move into the Bay, but numbers are still low at this stage. They’re slowly moving south, so it shouldn’t be too long before they show up in force.

Capn’s Charters
Ph 0410 590 049 | Capns Charters – Lure & Soft Plastic Fishing Charter

Jumpinpin

Good whiting are being caught along Never Fail Islands and the Pig Styes. Flathead are active at Kalinga Bank, Pandannus, and Tipplers Islands. Bream are biting at the Five Ways, Cobby Rocks, and the deep hole of Crusoe Island. A few tailor are being caught just inside the bar and at Canaipa Passage, near Slipping Sands.

Gem Bait & Tackle
Ph (07) 3287 3868 | www.facebook.com/gembait

Recent reports from the Pin have seen good numbers of flathead being caught. Following the recent rains, smaller jewfish have also been showing up in the area. Threadfin salmon and prawns are present further upstream in the Pin, with threadfin showing a preference for live mullet and prawns. These fish have proven to be leader shy, so fishing with lighter tackle is recommended for the best results.

Jacobs Well Boat Hire
Ph (07) 5546 2608 | www.jacobswellboathire.com.au

South Stradbroke Island

Summer whiting are biting along the western edge of Wavebreak Island, while large bream are being found in the south arm of the Coomera. Javelin fish are active at The Aldershots, and large flathead are being caught outside the entrance to the green zone at Duck or Never Never Creek at the Pin. Mulloway can be found along Kalinga Bank.

Gold Coast Boat Hire 
Ph 0432 710 892 | www.goldcoastboathire.com.au

Gold Coast Broadwater

Hopefully you caught heaps last weekend because this weekend with be tough fishing with wind and rain on cue. If you made the trip up north chasing prawns last weekend you would have been rewarded as they were definitely schooled up in great numbers. Great catches came from those cast netting around the salt works, Jacobs well and in between. They are still worth targeting this weekend just concentrate your efforts over the tide changes or try to find areas with less run like horizon shores. Whiting are being caught out the front of runaway bay drifting the main channel. They have also been caught along south Stradbroke and crab island. There’s a lot of small fish being caught with a few keepers mixed in. With the bigger tides there will be cleaner water pushing in on the high tide. Whiting love the big tides but it’s still too fresh to fish right up the rivers so stay towards the seaway. With the fresh there has been no sand crabs which is a shame as normally this time of year they are plentiful. The flip side is mudcrabs have been having an amazing season. With the full moon Sunday the high tides will be getting bigger so put your pots up in the shallows as the water is starting to clear up.

David McDonald
Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

It’s been a great, busy week with plenty of anglers getting on the water and great weather! Spanish mackerel are abundant around the 12-24 fathom reefs, with their numbers booming. They’re taking both pilchards and live baits, along with lazer lures. The catch has been further complemented by spotted mackerel, cobia, snapper, Moses perch, and teraglin.

BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters
Ph 0414 293 034 | https://bksfishing.com.au/

Offshore fishing has been excellent this week, with mackerel, amberjack, and some solid snapper caught on live baits—particularly around the 18 and 24-fathom reefs. A few good-sized jewfish have also been landed on the closer grounds, including the 12 and 18s.

Closer in, the Seaway and Jumpinpin Bar have produced plenty of school jew, along with quality mangrove jack. The shallow banks around the Broadwater have been fishing well for whiting, with flathead also active. Sand crabs are starting to push through the Broadwater too.

Up in the rivers, mangrove jack and cod have been firing in the Coomera and Nerang systems, with trevally moving through at night—especially on the run-out tide using topwater lures. Tallebudgera Creek has seen similar activity.

Gold Coast Fishing Tackle
Ph (07) 5679 0840 | www.goldcoastfishingtackle.com.au

Tweed Coast

No report this week.

Cushy Fishing Charters
Ph 0418 631 076 | www.cushyfishingcharters.com.au

Offshore, the big yellowfin tuna are really showing up at the moment, and they’re definitely drawing a lot of attention. Spanish mackerel are still going strong, providing some of the best fights we’ve seen in years. As the season shifts towards the end of pelagic time and the start of reef species season, anglers are landing some impressive snapper, with models over 70cm making an appearance.

In the rivers, the fishing is holding up despite the dirty, chocolate-milk-like water. Flathead are still active, and trevally remain abundant. Some good-sized jewfish have been caught around the headlands, and the mangrove jacks are still around, although fewer than before. Fish seem to be pushed further towards the mouths of the rivers, where the saltwater mixes with the fresh. Crabbing remains hit or miss, but there are still some crabs to be found.

Addict Tackle
Ph (07) 5523 3535 | https://www.addicttackle.com.au/

Brunswick Heads

This week’s report mirrors last week’s, with a few additions! Deep sea fishing continues to yield quality catches, including mackerel, snapper, yellowfin tuna, cobia, and kingfish, though sharks remain a constant nuisance. Beach and rock fishing has slowed, with only a few blackfish, whiting, and bream being reported. In the rivers, trevally, mangrove jacks, bream, and flathead are still active, alongside some mud crabs.

Bruns Beach, Bait & Tackle
https://www.instagram.com/brunsbeachbaitntackle/

Evans Head

Pending

Evans Head Sports & Marine
Ph (02) 6682 4536 | www.facebook.com/EvansheadSportsMarine

Yamba

The river is still quite dirty and fishing has remained slow with limited clean water pushing through. However, the beaches are beginning to clear up, and blue water is starting to show on the surface around the top of the seaway, though much of the surrounding area remains a browny-green colour.

There have still been bream getting caught, and a few whiting have been spotted. The sand banks and shallows on the beaches have continued to produce some school jew and even tailor. A positive sign is the return of longtail tuna, with the first reports coming in this week, indicating improving conditions offshore. A few have even been landed off the rock wall.

Outside, one angler reported heading wide towards the FAD but found the water still brown and the fishing quiet, with little pelagic activity. Crabbing remains slow with minimal movement. The longtails are likely the best indicator that the cleaner water is gradually pushing back in.

Yamba Bait and Tackle
Ph (02) 6646 1514 | https://www.facebook.com/yambabaitandtackle/

FRESHWATER FISHING

Wivenhoe Dam

Whivenhoe has been fishing well, especially around Billy’s Bay, Hammons Cove, and Logans Inlet. Fish were holding all through the main basin from Platypus Cliffs down to the buoy line and over to Hayes Landing. Darker coloured crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, and chatterbaits worked best over the weekend due to the still-dirty water. Fish were scattered but consistently active across all these zones.

Charltons Fishing
Ph (07) 3818 1677 | www.charltonsfishing.com.au

Moogerah Dam

At Moogerah Dam, fish have moved around a bit since the recent heavy rain, and it’s possible a few were lost over the wall. However, the usual spots are still holding fish—try the flats in the 6-knot zone, near Caravan Point, and up into the bay among the timber. Chatterbaits and lipless crankbaits have been effective, particularly with their strong vibration and flash helping fish locate them in murky water. Fish are also being caught along the edges of the dam, and the deeper water near the Spit is holding fish too. Soft plastics and metal spoons have also been getting results there.

Charltons Fishing
Ph (07) 3818 1677 | www.charltonsfishing.com.au

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam has produced bass out of the western arm and up into the bays. Fish have been holding along the points and around Ian’s Island, which is surrounded by deep water and standing timber. Spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits have been doing well, and if you’ve got access to live shrimp, they’re worth trying too. Always good to have a metal spoon tied on for those deeper schools in Hinze, especially when the fish are holding down deep.

Charltons Fishing
Ph (07) 3818 1677 | www.charltonsfishing.com.au

Hinze Dam has been a little slow, but trolling has helped anglers locate fish. Once found, switching to soft plastics or metal jigs and working them vertically has been the most effective approach.

Gold Coast Fishing Tackle
Ph (07) 5679 0840 | www.goldcoastfishingtackle.com.au

Kurwongbah

Freshwater fishing has been a little slow due to dirty water conditions, but there have still been a few Saratoga caught at Lake Kurwongbah, along with some bass. At the moment, the Saratoga seem to be more active than the bass. Over at North Pine Dam, there hasn’t been much reported, though trolling for bass off the points would be the likely approach for those heading out.

Tackleworld Lawnton  
Ph (07) 3205 7475 | www.facebook.com/tackleworldlawnton

Borumba Dam

At Borumba Dam, the water remains very dirty and there’s been minimal action. Only a few bass were caught along the edges, with fish scarce in other parts of the dam.

Tackleworld Kawana
Ph (07) 5444 0714 | www.tackleworldkawanafishingstore.com.au