Fishing Report for 11th December 2025

Fishing Report Thu 11 Dec 2025

Hervey Bay / Fraser Island

Around the pier there has been plenty of bait showing, mostly small Herring around four inches, and in the first channel Queenfish have been thick. The water has been a bit dirty, with Blue Salmon and Grunter mixed in. School Mackerel have been scarce, but larger Broadbar Mackerel have been abundant, mainly late in the run-out and around the low tide. Along the beaches at Shelly, Toorquay and Scarness, Grunter up to 60 cm have been taken on both baits and lures. The higher stages of the tide have produced better Whiting around the two rock walls near where the old shark show used to be. Point Vernon has been quiet apart from a few passing Queenfish.

At River Heads, Threadfin Salmon have been caught from the bank and by boat, along with some Grunter. Numbers have not been huge, but catches have been steady. Sand Crabs in the bay have mostly disappeared, with only small numbers left for recreational anglers and most professional operators having pulled their pots. Mud Crabs are showing in the Susan, Mary, the straits and around Burrum Heads.

On the inshore reefs, the dirty water has seen Tuskfish biting well, though sharks have been a constant issue. Reef species including Coral Trout, Grass Sweetlip and Cod have also been taken in close, with a few Broadbar Mackerel around Picnic and Duck Island, while Little Woody has been quiet.

The gutters have been holding Coral Trout, but heavy shark activity means anglers are only getting a couple of fish before having to move on. Marlin and deep dropping have been quieter this week. Larger Spotted Mackerel have started to roll into Platypus Bay, further north from Wathumba and Rooneys Point.

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

Tin Can Bay

With the tides neaping out toward the weekend and morning low tides, it has been well worth targeting Mangrove Jack on the low and the start of the flood. Skipped plastics and 80 mm jerkbaits have been working well, with live baits and fresh mullet fillets also producing results. Plenty of good Cod have been coming through as bycatch. Grunter have been biting well throughout the local creeks, with small prawn lures, vibes and squid bait proving most effective.

Mud Crabs have been in good numbers, with Snapper, Kauri and Carlo Creeks all crabbing well. Offshore anglers over the past week have been rewarded with good catches of Snapper, Grass Sweetlip, Tuskfish and Pearl Perch, with a few nice Spanish Mackerel mixed in. Plenty of smaller boats have done well just out the front of Rainbow beyond the shark nets, showing there is no need to travel far at the moment.

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

Noosa

Barwon Banks is fishing very well with Snapper, Pearl Perch, Tuskfish, Moses Perch and Amberjack all being caught. The Hards currently has heavy current running. North Reef is producing Snapper and Pearl Perch, with Cobia also coming through.

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

Fishing has been very good. Flathead were thick leading into the super moon on Friday, then dropped right off straight after, but are expected to fire again by Friday and Saturday, mainly toward the river mouth. There have been plenty of Hairtail in the Woods Bays and still plenty of big Tailor getting around. Large schools of Bigeye Trevally have been chasing bait balls into the river on the flood tide. A 77 cm Flathead was landed and safely released.

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

Large numbers of Flathead are coming from the river mouth along with some solid Whiting. A few Mud Crabs have been taken, though most have been female. Bream and Whiting are being caught around Hilton Terrace. Trevally and Tailor have been quiet. School Jewfish are pushing toward the marina and closer to the river mouth. Mangrove Jack and Bream are being caught right throughout the river system.

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

Maroochydore

Bream are being caught right throughout the river, with Whiting holding down around the river mouth. Mangrove Jack are just starting to appear in the upper reaches and up Petrie Creek. There are still a few Mud Crabs moving through the middle to upper sections of the system.

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

Mooloolaba

The north end of Barwon Banks has been producing Pearl Perch and Snapper mainly in the afternoons, with the current roaring through around the super moon. A few Mackerel have been seen up on the Outer Gneerings, and some Cobia have been taken from Murphys Reef. Out wide of Caloundra in around 60 metres, there have been Snapper and Pearl Perch coming over the side, along with a few Dolphin Fish starting to show on the FADs as the season begins to turn. Blue Marlin and Striped Marlin have been reported at the Noosa Canyons.

In the Mooloola river, Mangrove Jack are still being caught around the bridges and any solid structure. Some good Flathead are coming from the mouth at the Maroochy, as well as opposite the boat ramp around the old oyster leases at Bli Bli. There have also been signs of Mud Crabs starting to move through the system.

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

Caloundra

Fishing has been slow with the full moon making conditions extra tough this week. Fish have been few and far between, but the quality has been strong. Fresh mullet has outshone all other baits for bottom fishing, accounting for multiple species on the one bait. Snapper, Cobia and Pearl Perch have made up the bulk of the catch.

Salty Fishing Charters
Ph 0459 636 798 | https://saltyfishingcharters.com.au/

Snapper have been the standout this week, which has been a bit of a surprise for this time of year, with the expectation usually being Mackerel by now and the Snapper well gone. There is plenty of bait around, and while there have been the odd reports of Spotted Mackerel and the occasional Spanish Mackerel, no real numbers have shown up yet. Most of the better Snapper have been coming from in close on the shallow reefs, with a few also caught down near the Bribie fish cages.

In the Passage Trevally have been active, with anglers picking them up on micro jigs, and a few Mangrove Jack have been caught in the canals. Flathead are holding around the mouths of the creeks, and Mud Crabs are starting to get around. Whiting have been reported down around Coochin Creek, and there have been plenty of sharks around in general, making conditions tough at times.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

The rivers have been fishing reasonably well, with Mud Crabs starting to stir again around Hayes Inlet and the Pine River, mainly sitting in the deeper holes after the recent bit of fresh. Sand Crabs are still slow and numbers remain down compared to previous seasons. Mangrove Jack are being caught through the Pine, Caboolture and Pumicestone Passage systems, particularly up the creeks. Whiting reports have been steady around Donnybrook and Lime pocket on wrigglers. Bream are fishing well in the Newport canals and around Bribie Island, with surface lures and lightly weighted plastics working best. Flathead are holding deeper now as the water warms, so the better fish are coming from cooler water along drop-offs and ledges, try Bongaree and Sandstone point and the mouth of the Pine and Caboolture.

Off Redcliffe, Snapper and Grunter have been biting well, mainly on lightly weighted baits and soft plastics. Grassy Sweetlip getting caught at Redcliff as well. Offshore reports have been limited, but anglers pushing out have seen some Spanish Mackerel and Wahoo showing up, along with a few Dolphin Fish, with success coming down to covering ground and putting in the time. There is still plenty of Snapper and Pearl perch off the Cape. The Brisbane River has been quiet overall, though it is still worth a try around the mouth after fresh water pushes.

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

Sandgate/Shorncliffe Pier

There have been reports of kids being spooled by Longtail Tuna around the fishing platform at the mouth of the Pine. Around Mud Island, large Mackerel were hooked but could not be landed on light gear. Out in the Bay, more solid Tuskfish have been landed again with repeat captures continuing. At Redcliffe, a standout Snapper was landed from the shore, with the exact length unknown but described as a cracking fish, showing land-based anglers are still in with a strong chance. Around the Hornibrook Bridge, Flathead have been caught again, with Hardyhead lures proving to be a very effective bait.

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

Brisbane River

Everything has been much the same this week, with only a few Mackerel reports coming through late last week. These have all been School Mackerel, with no Spotted Mackerel turning up in the Bay yet. There have been a few further north around the Sunshine Coast, but Bay reports remain very patchy, with only the odd School Mackerel showing from north of Hutchies. Aside from that, most of the action has been limited to a few Squire and Grass Sweetlip on the local reefs around Wellington Point, Green Island and Mud Island.

Crabbing has been very quiet, with Sand Crabs having all but disappeared and only the occasional Mud Crab still being reported. Whiting have gone quiet in close as well. Conditions are looking good for the weekend ahead, so there is hope for improved reports moving into next week.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Some great quality Snapper and Pearl Perch are being caught east of Moreton Island at the moment. Dolphin Fish and Tuna have been showing on the troll around Point Lookout. Sharks have been a constant problem and are proving to be a real nuisance.

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

Plenty of School Jewfish and Grunter are spread right around the peninsula. Cobia have been reported in Bramble Bay and on the inshore reefs. Mangrove Jack are being caught in the Pine River and through the canal systems. Yellowfin Whiting are coming from Hayes, the Pine, Bramble Bay, off Margate Beach, Scarborough and around the groynes at Brighton. Grunter are being taken from Hayes, the Pine, the inshore reefs and the canals. Bream and Snapper are showing around the jetties and on the inshore reefs. Flathead are coming from the Pine, Hayes, Bramble Bay, off the northern beaches and through Deception Bay. Mud Crabs are moving in the rivers and creeks.

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

Whiting are coming from Chain Banks, Maroon Gutter and Amity Banks. Squire are holding at Mud Island, with good Snapper reported at Harries Reef.

Water Tower Bait & Tackle
Ph(07) 3396 1833 | https://watertowerbaitandtackle.com.au

Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin

Moreton Bay has fished well over the past week with a good run of weather, and the bigger tides from the full moon really helped the shallow reef bite. Snapper, Sweetlip and the odd Spangled Emperor have come from the shallow reefs around Peel Island, both north and south, and even the eastern side has produced when anglers could get out of the wind. The rubble patches out the front of Cleveland and Raby Bay have also produced some nice fish, and the eastern side of Goat Island has fished well where bait has been holding. Small, lightly weighted 2.5 to 3 inch plastics have been working well, both prawn and small baitfish imitations.

Around Garden Island and Lamb Island there are still good numbers of Flathead, and the clean water has made it easy to work the drains and run-offs for quality fish. Threadfin Salmon and some School Jewfish have been showing down around southern Macleay and Russell Island. Jumpinpin has also been fishing well, with plenty of Jewfish holding in the deeper areas toward the mouth. Jewfish have been coming from the deep ledge off North Stradbroke, out the front of Swan Bay and all the way through to Kalinga Bank, along with some solid Flathead.

Millionaires Row has held plenty of bait with some Tailor schools coming through, and the Deep Hole at Crusoe Island has fished well. In the shallows, Gold Bank and Green Bank have held good numbers of Flathead along with some better-sized fish. Whiting around Gold Bank and the lagoons on South Stradbroke Island have been good quality. On the lower tides, the Jacobs Well Channel and the Three Ways have both held plenty of Flathead around the 50 cm mark, and Trevally have fired up nicely as the water warms. Threadfin Salmon continue to move constantly, so using side scan to pick them up and then working lures through the school has been the most effective approach this week.

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

Jumpinpin

This week has been fairly slow. A few anglers managed some good bags of Whiting, Bream and Flathead, while many struggled to find other species. Mangrove Jack fished well, with a few taken, and some Threadfin Salmon were also caught. A few summer Mud Crabs are starting to move around.

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

South Stradbroke Island

Schools of baitfish are balling up in and around the Seaway with Tailor smashing into them. A gang rig with a WA Pilchard and heavy leader is working, as are silver slugs. The water temperature is still high, so the deeper channels where the water is slightly cooler have been fishing better. The best fishing window is on the 11th and 12th before the northerlies return over the weekend. Strong southerlies are predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday, which may put a stop to offshore fishing for a few days.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

Light winds this weekend and good conditions for a fish. Tides are smaller, so chances are the whiting fishing should be better a little further up the river. Try around the Monaco Street banks down to the Sundale Bridge in the Nerang. The north arm of the Coomera near the mouth, from Sanctuary Cove to the reds opposite the Paradise Point ramp in the main channel, and the banks near the mouth of the Pimpama.

Tides will be excellent for the Seaway, with drifting and vertical jigging being the best methods. Blades, plastics and jigs will all work, as will a live bait suspended just off the bottom for those chasing jew. Flathead have been found around the Aldershots and the channel heading up towards Tipplers. A lot of fish are being caught, but most are smaller, with the occasional 50cm fish.

There were a lot of mud crabs caught last weekend in the Coomera and up towards Jacobs Well. A couple of boats went offshore this week with mixed results, including a 1.4m wahoo and marlin. Those who went out reported more bait and action around the 36s south, with nothing up north.

David McDonald
Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

The water is still sitting around 22 degrees and quite green, which has allowed another run of Snapper before everything heats up for summer. Snapper, Pearl Perch and Trag, along with a mix of other reef species, have been the main targets this week. Dolphin Fish have finally started to show, particularly for anglers trolling in 80 to 100 metres, though most of the Dolphin Fish on the 36-fathom FADs have been on the smaller side so far. A standout Snapper of 67 cm was taken on a whole lightly weighted Pilchard.

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

Offshore fishing has been firing, with reports coming in from everywhere and huge amounts of bait holding wide. There have been strong catches of Snapper on the 24s and 36s, with Pearl Perch coming from around the 90 metre mark. Small Black Marlin have been around as well as Longtail Tuna, and some very solid Wahoo have also been landed. Even further wide in the deeper water there have been good catched of Big Eye Trevalla and Pearl Perch. It has been a standout week offshore and, if the forecast holds, it is expected to be very busy on the weekend.

Inshore, Whiting are still showing on the flats and good Flathead numbers, mainly in the smaller size range, with most fish coming from the 50 to 60 centimetre bracket. Up the Coomera creek there have been good numbers of Trevally and a few Mangrove Jack starting to appear. Crabbing remains very quiet, with very little bait movement and no consistent reports right along the coast.

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

Tweed Coast

It has been a great week for fishing off the Tweed with good schools of baitfish starting to show on some of the close reefs. Giant Trevally have been taken off the 9 Mile, while further out on the 30s bottom bouncing has produced solid Snapper and Venus Tuskfish.

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

In the river, Whiting are in good numbers right through from the Tweed Bar up to the Murwillumbah stretches. Trevally are in strong numbers through the system, including Giant Trevally and Bigeye Trevally. Flathead continue to go well from the bar through to the Rous. Mangrove Jack are holding along most rock walls all the way up until the freshwater line. From the Rous through to the dam there are still plenty of Bass around, and up toward Crystal Creek in the freshwater sections Bass are also being caught.

Offshore, Kingfish are around with heaps of bait showing, including Bonito and Slimy Mackerel. Black Marlin are just starting to show offshore. On the reefs from Tweed to Byron, Snapper, Pearl Perch and Tuskfish are being caught. Yellowfin Tuna have pushed wide into the 1000 to 2000 metre grounds, with anglers waiting on water temperatures to rise to bring more pelagic activity back in. Dolphin Fish are holding around the FADs and any other floating structure.

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

Brunswick Heads

Offshore has gone a bit quieter this week, with fewer fish taken out wide. Beaches and the rock walls have been busy though, with good numbers of tailor, trevally and dart.

The rivers are fishing the same as last week, with mangrove jack, bream, whiting, flathead and trevally still active. Mud crabs continue to show in better numbers.

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

Ballina

Heavy current has been running to the south this week and most boats have still managed some good catches of Snapper and Flathead on the 32s. Sharks have been active in the area and have been a nuisance at times. The warm current has also delivered a few more Dolphin Fish and a couple of Marlin, with live baits and skirted lures producing the best results on these species. Further wide, Kingfish and Amberjack have been showing, though the strong current has made fishing difficult. A few Snapper have also been popping up on the close reefs on lightly weighted Pilchards and soft plastics.

The beaches have been fairly inconsistent, but a few Flathead, Bream and Whiting have been caught in the early mornings before the wind picks up. As the tides move away from the full moon they have become smaller, making river conditions more manageable. North Creek and the main river have produced some Mud Crabs. Most of the Flathead have been taken from Pimlico Island to the river mouth, with the deeper channels the best place to start, and Pilchards, mullet and soft vibes producing the best results. Plenty of School Mulloway have been caught from the ferry through to the Broadwater, though many are undersize. The run-out tides have been ideal for Mangrove Jack this week, with the better fish taking live baits at night. Bass continue to respond well to surface lures early and crankbaits or jigs during the day, with Woodburn through to Coraki a good stretch to focus on.

Ballina Bait and Tackle
Ph 0266862527 | https://www.facebook.com/p/Ballina-Bait-and-Tackle-100063582669959/

Evans Head

Airforce Beach and Main Beach have been producing Bream and School Jewfish. Around the river mouth on the rock walls there have been Bream and Luderick. The Evans River has been holding Bream, Flathead and Whiting, with Mud Crabs coming from the upper reaches. Offshore has been hard to access, but the close reefs have been producing Snapper, Trag and Jewfish when conditions allow.

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

Yamba

Fishing has picked back up this week, with some good Flathead coming from the river. Fish have been spread right through the system, pushing up as far as McLean, so anglers are needing to cover plenty of ground to find them. One quality Flathead reported measured 96 cm. Whiting activity has also improved again, and Bream are being caught as well. A heap of very small Tailor have moved into the river, so anglers chasing general species are dealing with plenty of bite-offs from the little Tailor. Crabbing remains quiet with very little movement reported. There are still plenty of jellyfish in the river and conditions should improve.

Outside, the amount of sharks around has made fishing difficult, even on the wrecks. A hammerhead around 1.8 metres was hooked at the wreck out the front, which caused plenty of trouble. Despite that, there has been some Snapper mixed in, showing the fishing is starting to improve. On the pelagic side, small Dolphin Fish have been reported moving onto the local FADs, showing the water temperature is rising, but there have still been no Mackerel reports yet.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Maroon Damn

Maroon Dam is still fishing steadily, though most of the fish being caught are on the smaller side. Small soft plastics, shrimp imitations, blades, little crankbaits and chatterbaits along the edges have all been producing. Early mornings and late afternoons have been the best times for topwater. As the day goes on weed edges and weed beds have been worth focusing on, with small blades and soft plastics also working through those areas.

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

Moogerah Dam

Moogerah is still fishing well, try around the trees. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and crankbaits worked across the tops of the trees are finding Bass, with lipless crankbaits also working around the bases. The edges have been holding fish as well. There is a lot of weed in the dam right now, so small soft plastics, blades and similar lures worked along the weed edges have been effective. The flats, up in the six-knot zone, are also holding fish moving around.

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

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam is fishing very well, with good Saratoga being caught. In the backs of the bays early and late, topwater lures and subsurface presentations have been working well for Saratoga. Small spinnerbaits and little crankbaits have also been producing. Bass have been holding around the trees, with spinnerbaits, crankbaits and chatterbaits worked into the timber producing consistent results. Even the deeper trees on the points of the bays are holding good fish at the moment.

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

At Hinze dam, the western arm has been producing solid catches of Bass and Barred Grunter, with live shrimp the standout bait.

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

North Pine Dam/ Lake Kurwongbah

In the freshwater, Saratoga have been fishing very well at North Pine Dam and Lake Kurwongbah, with surface lures early producing good numbers. While Bass have been schooled up on the points at Kurwongbah.

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

Lake Kurwongbah

Lake Kurwongbah is fishing strongly, with good-sized Saratoga coming from the backs of the bays. Tail spinners, small metal spinners and small spinnerbaits have been working well on Saratoga. Chatterbaits, blades and small soft plastics are all producing Bass.

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

North Pine Dam

At North Pine Dam, the larger of the two systems, the edges have been the prime target. Land-based anglers have been doing well walking the banks with spinnerbaits, metal spoons, chatterbaits and crankbaits, casting continuously along the edge. Any structure or trees sticking out of the water have been worth multiple casts, as fish have been holding tight to that cover. Kayak anglers have been working the same edges from deeper water back into the shallows, with results also coming from the main basin.

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