Fishing Report for 12th December 2024

Queensland east coast: Barramundi closed season – no-take species between 1 November and 31 January each year. (some exceptions apply — check the Queensland Fisheries website).

New lifejacket laws came into effect on December 1, visit msq.qld.gov.au for details. 

Hervey Bay/ Fraser Island

At Urangan Pier, there have been sightings of broadbar mackerel and school mackerel being caught. Additionally, flathead has also been observed, although bait is scarce. Inshore reefs have yielded good catches of Giant Trevally, trout, and grassy emperors. Offshore reefs have seen significant numbers of marlin, with one weighing in at 400 pounds last week. There are also decent yellowfin tuna outside Fraser Island. Inside the bay, spotties and mack tuna have been reported.

In the straights, queen fish, flathead, grunter, cod, and a few threadfin have been present. The Burrum system has an abundance of herring, which has attracted flathead, grunter, mangrove jacks, and queen fish. Mud crabs have been noted in the Mary and Burrum river systems.

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

Tin Can Bay

Report Pending

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

Noosa

There is a variety of fish being caught off Noosa this last week. The catch includes mahi-mahi, large gold band snapper, pearl perch, and cobia on the reef at Double Island Point and the Hards. Barwon Banks is yielding snapper, pearl perch, yellowtail kingfish, and amberjack. North Reef and Sunshine Reefs have mackerel, plenty of pearl perch, Moses perch, yellowtail kingfish, and tuna. 

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

Fishing activities have been fruitful, with numerous notable catches including pearl perch, snapper, goldband snapper, mahi mahi, cobia, mulloway, and yellowtail kingfish at Sunshine Reef and North Reef.

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

The lower estuary around Gympie Terrace is producing good sand flathead on the sand flats. The Woods area continues to hold substantial bream populations. Javelin fish are migrating downstream, pushed by the current in the turbid water conditions.

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

Report Pending

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

Mooloolaba

Offshore Barwon Banks are teeming with wahoo and dolphin fish. Near Coolum Reef, there are plenty of Spanish mackerel, and at Caramundi Reef, you can find grassy sweetlips. In the Mooloola canals, trevally and flathead are being caught, as well as mud crabs in the deeper holes. At Maroochydore, jewfish have been caught around Chambers Island, and mangrove jack in the upper reaches near Bli Bli.

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

Cobia, cod, and amberjack can be found midway to the Barwon Banks, utilizing live bait and jigs. Amberjack and Jewfish are present at Murphy’s Reef. Spanish mackerel are located at the Gneerings. Black marlin, wahoo, and mahi-mahi are now widespread at depths ranging from 20-100 meters, from Cape Moreton to Noosa. Additionally, blue marlin and striped marlin have been found on the continental shelf.

Smithy’s Fishing Charters   Ph 0407 574 868 | www.smithysfishingcharters.com.au

Caloundra

Whiting and flathead can be found in the passage, while mangrove jack are present in the canals. Mud crabs are available up the river. Offshore, there are spotties and some Spanish mackerel. Sweetlip tuskfish and pearl perch can be found on the inshore reefs at 5 and 12 miles, along with cobia and snapper. At Hutchies, dolphin fish and wahoo are present. The beaches have dart and whiting, as well as some bream and flathead.

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

Donnybrook

Whiting can be found at Mission Point and Lime Pocket. Jacks are present in Bulimba and Grass House Creek, with a recommendation to check the mouths of these waterways first. Bream are located in the main channel along with Grunter. Mud crabs are in the deeper waters, but they may become more active when the fresh water flows through.

Donnybrook Takeaway, Bait & Tackle   Ph (07) 5498 8247 | www.facebook.com/Donnybrook-Takeaway-Bait-Tackle

Bribie Island

Mud crabs can be found at Toorbal, Donnybrook, and Ningi Creek. Sand crabs are located along Pumicestone Passage, including areas such as Bongaree, Ballara, and Banksia. Tailors are running at the Bird Cage off Woorim and additionally, there is still an abundance of whiting at Red Beach.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

The creeks remain very dirty, so it’s worth sticking to the mouths around high tide to find cleaner water. This is where flathead, trevally, bream, and whiting are more likely to be caught. Scarborough has been producing good snapper catches for those who head out early, while mud crabs and sand crabs are being caught near the mouths of the Pine and Caboolture Rivers. Offshore, wahoo and dolphinfish have been active around Hutchies Reef and the FADs, with black marlin being reported through the Trench. School mackerel are also hanging around the northern bay beacons, offering consistent opportunities.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Weekend fishing proved challenging, with limited success reported. Anglers managed to land pearl perch from the 29-fathom grounds and a substantial mulloway offshore from Moreton (photo below). The mulloway measured 120cm and weighed approximately 13kg.

Moreton Island Fishing Charters   Ph 0413128056 | https://moretonislandfishingcharters.com.au/

The 36-fathom line is producing snapper, tuskfish, and pearl perch. Shark activity has been significant this week, presenting challenges for anglers fishing the area.

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

Sandgate

Bream and flathead have dominated this week’s fishing reports. Local anglers, including many young fishers, have been actively exploring and learning the area’s fishing opportunities. Prime locations for fishing—and losing tackle—include Shorncliffe Pier, Redcliffe Lagoon, Scarborough Rock Wall, and Nudgee Beach. Whiting catches at Nudgee and Margate beaches have been consistent, with catches averaging in the low 30s. Notable catches include Anthony’s successful bream and whiting harvest from Nudgee Beach, and young Harry’s impressive 60cm flathead landed at the Pine River mouth. The holiday period presents an excellent opportunity for children to target garfish and whiting. These species are not only accessible for young anglers but also provide an enjoyable fishing experience. Garfish additionally serve as versatile bait. The forecast suggests favorable weather and fishing conditions in the coming weeks, with ample opportunities for both successful catches and occasional tackle loss. 

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

Brisbane River – Northern Moreton Bay

Jewfish and threadfin salmon can be found at night time near the port, with ample bream and flathead present along the rock walls in the lower reaches from the Gateway Bridge to the mouth of the river. Additionally, there have been some snapper on the Rockwall at the port as well. Whiting and sand crabs are abundant on the eastern side of Fisherman’s Island, while mud crabs can be found in the mangroves along the Brisbane River.

Reports indicate a high presence of mackerel around Bribie Island and Tangalooma, extending to the Shark Spit. The usual areas around the Measured Mile markers M8 and M10 are also holding mackerel. Hope Banks South to Hanlon Light at Peel Island is another productive area for fishing, with reports of squire and sweetlips being caught around Green Island and Mud Island as well.

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

The Hayes inlet, Pine River, and Bramble Bay are producing consistent catches of bream, whiting, and flathead. Yellowfin whiting are active along the Eastern foreshores and throughout the Hayes and Pine systems. Offshore areas are fishing well, with snapper, grassy sweetlip, grunter, and occasional tailor being taken from Eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshore grounds. School mulloway and good-sized grunter are active on inshore grounds, with some land-based success reported. Mud crabs are present in rivers and creeks, while sand crabs continue to populate Bramble Bay.

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

Whiting have been active around Chain Banks, Rous Channel, Amity, and Banana Banks, providing good opportunities for anglers targeting these areas. School mackerel have been reported at Peel and Amity Banks, with consistent activity for those trolling or casting. At Peel and Green Islands, there have been catches of squire and grassy sweetlip, making these spots worth checking out for a mixed bag.

Water Tower Bait & Tackle   Ph(07) 3396 1833

Redland Bay

This week, there’s still some snapper and sweetlip around the artificial reefs. Mackerel have been spotted at the Four Beacons and Sandhills, with school mackerel reported by a few people. The northern part of the bay has plenty of fish, while jewfish have been caught in the southern Bay. Mangrove jacks are active in creeks and canals, and whiting are present in the Rouse Channel.

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

Jumpinpin

Mangrove jack populations have surged in areas around the Pin, likely triggered by recent rainfall that has stirred up the muddy water conditions these predatory fish prefer. Mulloway are present in good numbers, with most fish exceeding 50cm, though they are not schooling in large groups. Flathead fishing has been notably poor during this period.

Flathead are actively feeding in the deep water surrounding Eden Island, Oak Island, and Kalinga Bank. Tailor at the beaches of North and South Stradbroke, with some activity just inside the bar. Smaller tailor (choppers) are scattered around Canaipa and Tabby Tabby areas. Bream are congregating around the dead trees at the bottom of North Stradbroke, Kalinga, and Rocky Point.

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

South Stradbroke Island

A considerable number of Javelin fish, also known as grunter, were caught at the Aldershots in the Broadwater, situated between the Northern and Southern arms of the Coomera River. Additionally, a notable flathead was captured on the southeastern corner of Crab Island. All catches were made using Western Australian pilchards. The water currently remains murky brown, but with minimal rainfall expected over the next week, it is anticipated that water clarity will improve. 

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

David McDonald  Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

Inside the Seaway, activity has been relatively quiet, but mud crabs and sand crabs are keeping anglers busy. The water remains quite dirty, making conditions unpredictable, though there have been a few mangrove jack reported around the Coomera River.

Offshore, there’s been good snapper action, along with reports of a couple of small blue marlin caught out wide. Closer in, mackerel have been sighted around Mermaid and Palm Beach reefs, providing some promising targets.

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

The strong current posed some challenges, but anglers were still able to catch some trag and a few other common reef fish from the bottom. Occasionally, a nice snapper, such as a 70 cm one (photo below), was caught using pilchards and live bait. 

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

Tweed Coast

In the upper reaches of the Tweed River, the water has cleared up, making it possible to catch mangrove jack and big trevally. Fishing for whiting has also been favorable, and people have been placing their crab pots in the same areas with good results. On the headlands and beaches, occasional jewfish are being caught, and there are reports of good tailor coming through. With warmer water pushing through, sightings of mackerel are coming in. Offshore, snapper are still being caught, and with the full moon approaching, there will likely be more mackerel on the in close reefs, as well as wahoo. Striped marlin have been caught on the 36-fathom line, along with snapper and parrots.

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

Brunswick Heads

Out deep, there have been notable catches of amberjack on the wider reefs. Additionally, some dolphin fish have been caught on the FAD. On the closer reefs, a couple of snapper and mackerel have been recorded. On the beaches and rock walls, there has been an abundance of tailor, dart, bream, and trevally. Within the river, significant catches include bream, flathead, grunter, blackfish, whiting, mangrove jacks, and mud crabs, indicating a substantial improvement from last week.

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

Ballina

Report Pending

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

Evans Head

Airforce Beach has been producing good bream and flathead during the day, with the odd jewfish caught in the evenings and early mornings. In the lower reaches of the river, particularly near the rock walls, tailor have been active—keep an eye out for working birds to locate them. There have also been bream, flathead, and whiting in the same areas.

Further upstream around the Black Hole, mud crabs have been around, and Chaos Reef has seen some solid catches of snapper and trag. South Reef has been yielding spotted mackerel and a few barred mackerel, while out around the FADs, anglers have been catching pearl perch, yellowtail kingfish, and cobia.

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

Yamba

The water clarity is improving, with cleaner water now pushing into the river mouth and gradually moving up the channels. The lower reaches of the river are fishing well, with reports of large flathead on the flats, including an impressive 91 cm catch on big soft plastics. Whiting are beginning to return to the river after being more commonly caught on the beaches, and anglers are getting back into surface fishing for them.
Offshore, there’s been a solid run of mackerel, mainly spotties, with the occasional Spanish making an appearance, which is promising for this early in the season. Snapper and pearl perch are also being caught, indicating a positive turn for offshore fishing. The good weather forecast for the weekend should provide even more opportunities.
With the region’s focus on rockier coastlines, rock fishing has been productive for tailor for many anglers. As the river continues to clear with no rain on the horizon, conditions are set to improve further, making the coming days ideal for fishing.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

**Some dams have been closed this week, following the recent rains. While others remain open, it’s advisable to check online for updates before heading out.**

Kurwongbah Dam

At Lake Kurwongbah, Saratoga have been a highlight for anglers using surface lures, particularly in the quieter, back sections of the dam.

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

North Pine Dam

Up north at Lake Samsonvale (North Pine Dam), fishing has been decent despite dirty water from recent rain. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and noisy crankbaits have been the key to success, as their vibration and water displacement help attract fish in these conditions.

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast has been a standout for Saratoga this week, with reports of fish up to 80 cm being caught. Topwater lures like small poppers, cicada imitations, and other insect-style presentations are excellent choices. Subsurface, small spinnerbaits in chartreuse or white continue to deliver results. The bass have also been biting well on deeper points, where metal spoons, heavier soft plastics on ½ oz jig heads, and crankbaits have been effective. Lipless crankbaits like the Jackall TN60 are also reliable, particularly in the backs of bays and around submerged timber.

Maroon Dam

Over at Maroon Dam, the bass are sticking to the edges. Small soft plastics, crankbaits, chatterbaits, and skirted jigs are the go-to options. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to try topwater tactics with small poppers or creature baits, which consistently produce fish at this dam.

Moogerah Dam

At Moogerah Dam, bass have been active in the open basin and around the trees near the flats, holding in approximately 16 feet of water. Target them with crankbaits, metal spoons, and soft plastics. The edges have also been productive, with lipless crankbaits, traditional crankbaits, and chatterbaits working well.

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

THIS WEEK’S GALLERY

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David McDonald

Deep Sea Fishing Co

BK’s fishing Charters

Noosa Bluewater Charters

Moreton Island Fishing Charters  

Smithy’s Fishing Charters