Fishing Report for 15 August 2024

Australian bass closed season all Queensland tidal waters from 1 June to 31 August.

Murray cod and Mary River cod closed season from 1 August to 31 October in all Queensland waters in the Murray-Darling Drainage Division.   Some additional restrictions on use of fishing lines also apply; there are exceptions to restrictions in some stocked impoundments (see Fisheries Queensland website).  

Hervey Bay / Fraser Island

Report pending.

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

Rainbow Beach Offshore

No report this week.

Rainbow Beach Reef Fishing Charters  Ph 0439 775 070 | www.rainbowbeachfishing.com.au

Tin Can Bay

With improved weather expected for the weekend, it’s a great time to prepare the boat. The swell is forecast to drop by Friday, allowing offshore fishers to head out on Saturday and Sunday. Snapper and pearlies will be the primary targets as conditions ease.

The fresh water flowing out of the creeks makes it a good opportunity to set crab pots for mud crabs. Although numbers have been low, the quality has been high. Use large baits and ensure a good soak near the mouths of the creeks for a better chance at a decent catch.

The fresh water should also stir up the bream. Try fishing around structures near the mouth of Snapper Creek during the flood tide using small, light-weight plastics, fresh mullet strips, or small prawns. For flathead, target the mouths of the creeks during the last couple of hours of the run-out tide. Fishing deeper holes with soft vibes should yield results.

Tailor are plentiful in the systems currently, but patience is required to sift through the choppers for a good catch. Trolling with 60-90mm 1m and 2m divers is effective. Recommended lures include the Samaki Redic SF90 and Fishcraft Dr Stretch in 85mm. Watch for birds diving on bust-ups and either troll past them or cast slugs and plastics into the action. For metals, use Halco Twisties and Todd Ignitions, and for soft plastics, try 3.5” RT Shads and 3” Molix Fleck rigged on a 3/0 1/2oz TT jighead.

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

Noosa

Bream and whiting have been making sporadic appearances, but the trevally are abundant. Tewantin has been quiet, as has the area further upstream near Lake Cootharaba. Your best chances are at Noosa Woods and near Lake Weyba, which are more productive than the main river. Mud crabs are also lively around Noosa Woods, likely stirred up by the recent rain.

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

No report this week.

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

No report this week.

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

Sunday’s weather took a turn for the worse, but better weather is on the horizon, just in time for the opening of the snapper and pearl perch season on Friday, 16/8/24. Before the weather hit, there were plenty of tuna, cobia, Spanish mackerel, cod, tuskfish, Moses perch, hussar, and the occasional kingfish and sweetlip around the reefs off Noosa.

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

Maroochydore

Current weather conditions have led to a quieter week on the water. Reports of tailor and trevally catches under the motorway bridge, while bream can be found throughout the area. Flathead are being caught in the middle to upper reaches, but overall, the activity has been subdued due to the adverse weather. As the weekend approaches, conditions may improve.

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

Mooloolaba

Jewfish are being caught in the Maroochydore River, with the dirtier water making night fishing more productive for larger catches. Barra are active in Pelican Bay Passage, with king brown prawns proving to be a popular choice for anglers targeting them.

Bream are responding well to the rain, with good catches reported during breaks in the weather. Mud crabs also tend to become more active after a significant washout from the rivers, so it might be worthwhile to set some traps when conditions are safe.

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

 No report this week

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

Caloundra

With no one heading out last week due to poor conditions, the upcoming weather looks perfect for offshore fishing just in time for the snapper season reopening. Cobias are starting to show up and will likely become more active as they enter their spawning season. Tailor have been hot on the beaches and in the passage, while bream are thriving along the shorelines filled with runoff from recent rain.

With warmer weather predicted for the weekend, flathead should be a prime target. Setting out pots is worth the effort this week, as the extra runoff has stirred up activity upstream. Clear water down deep and the recent heavy rain usually get the fish moving, which often leads to an increased bite after a big rain event.

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

Donnybrook

Report pending.

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

Bribie Island

Whiting and tailor have been active at Red Beach, while good-sized flathead are being caught around the Bongaree Jetty. Sand crabs are making the most of the fresh water throughout the passage. At Banksia Beach, both whiting and tailor are biting well. On the surf side, tailor are responding nicely to gang hooks rigged with whole pilchards, bringing in solid catches.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

Flathead have been active at the mouth of the rivers, taking advantage of the washdown from recent rains. With snapper season nearing its opening, it’s worth targeting them around Redcliffe this weekend, as they often favour dirtier water.

Bream are still schooling at Caloundra, with increased activity observed during the full moon. There have also been reports of a significant influx of jewfish in the Pine River, particularly around the bridge area during the tide change. Anglers have had success using 4-inch plastics in the deeper holes.

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

Sandgate

No report this week.

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

Brisbane River – Northern Moreton Bay

Report pending.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Fishing at Shallow Tempest over the weekend yielded a solid haul, including tuskfish, gold-spot cod, and some large Maori cods. However, the weather and swell conditions deteriorated, creating dangerous offshore conditions where massive waves were recorded, with the wave buoy reading over 6 meters Tuesday and Wednesday. 

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

Recent weather conditions have been tough, impacting fishing across the region. Despite this, there are still some opportunities for anglers. Bream, whiting, and flathead are being caught in Hayes, the Pine, and Bramble Bay, though catches have been less reliable due to the weather Diver whiting are making appearances in Deception Bay and off Scarborough. Bream and tailor are still being reported off the eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshore areas. Tailor are also active at Woody Point Jetty and in nearby inshore locations. Sand crabs are still in and around Bramble Bay but their activity has slowed as a result of the challenging weather conditions.

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

Moreton Bay / Brisbane River

No report this week — advised to stay out of water due to sewage dump issue.

Water Tower Bait & Tackle Ph (07) 3396 1833

North Stradbroke Island

Some anglers have been braving the winds on the ocean beaches, reporting catches of tailor, bream, dart, and whiting, with the occasional jewfish making an appearance as well.

Point Lookout Bait & Fresh Fish   Ph (07) 3409 8724

Redland Bay

Report pending.

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

Jumpinpin

Crabs have been active in the lower reaches of the Logan River, while good-sized flathead have been caught and released around Kalinga Bank this week. Whiting are showing up in great numbers near Black Rocks, with some solid catches reported. As for tackle, flathead have been hitting hard on Tango Shad lures from Zerek, making them the hot choice for anglers right now.

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

The snapper closure will end at midnight tonight, making this weekend a good time to target snapper in the bay. Giants Grave is a great spot to try, with pilchards, squid, or soft plastics being effective baits. Whiting are expected to be active over the weekend leading up to the full moon on Tuesday, with live worms and yabbies being the preferred baits. Additionally, tailor are being caught in good numbers down inside the Pin, with whole pilchards and metal slugs proving successful.

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

South Stradbroke Island

Flathead are being caught around the weed banks north of Crab Island, with nice-sized tailor reported in the channel west of Brown Island. A few squid have been spotted around Ephraim Island, and there’s good whiting action in the upper reaches of Coombabah Creek, just before the Green Zone.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

Terrible weather conditions have kept most anglers off the water, with only a few determined fishers venturing out. The only reports coming in are of tailor schools spotted off the front of Runaway Bay. The good news is that the rain is expected to clear, and the wind will ease up as we head into the weekend. The recent rain should also get the mud crabs moving, making it a good time to drop some pots.

While winter is typically the quietest season, it’s still worth trying your luck after the rain. With the tides increasing, the night high tide offers the best chances for success. The extra freshwater in the system should improve fishing around the seaway, so keep an eye out for the dirty water line where larger fish might be patrolling the edge.

Beaches should fish well, though finding a good gutter could be challenging after the large swell, which often creates one long gutter instead of smaller holes and cutouts. For those casting off the rocks or at the seaway, metal lures should yield some tailor.

Good luck and send through your pics to info@coastwatch.com.au

David McDonald  Private Fisherman | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

Offshore fishing has been put on hold due to the massive swell this past week, but the forecast for the weekend looks promising. Despite the conditions, flathead and whiting have remained active on the flats. Crab activity has been slower, though this is expected to improve once the weather clears, as the fresh water will push more out to the ocean.

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

Tweed Coast

On Saturday, fishing at the 30-fathom line yielded a successful day, including Venus tuskfish and cobia. Although snapper are currently in closed season, other species provided plenty of action at the 30s. The Venus tuskfish and cobia contributed to a diverse and productive day on the water.

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

Brunswick Heads

Deep-sea fishing over the past few days saw larger boats venturing out in the favorable windy conditions, with impressive results. Snapper were the main catch, complemented by a few kingfish, trag, and pearl perch. Closer to shore, Spanish mackerel and longtail tuna were reported, along with some snapper. Before the rain arrived, the beaches were yielding tailor, bream, and salmon.

On the break walls, the dirtier water following recent rain has led to good catches of jewfish and bream. In the river, anglers are finding success with flathead and bream.

Bruns Beach Bait & Tackle Ph 0432 394 869

Ballina

The river is heavily discolored all the way to its mouth. Offshore fishing has been on hold, but there might be a chance over the weekend if the weather improves. Be cautious of tricky bar conditions, especially on the run-out tides with fresh water pushing out of the river. The discolored water will lead bream and luderick to hold close to structures such as rock walls, bridge pylons, and jetties in the river’s lower reaches. Oily and smelly baits like mullet, pilchards, chicken gut, and mullet gut will be effective due to reduced visibility.

The breakwalls are expected to yield a few mulloway over the coming week. Large hardbody lures and 6-7 inch soft plastics will be the most productive. Flathead are likely to move downstream with the fresh water, so Pimlico Island to the river mouth will be the prime areas. Hardbody lures and metal blades or vibes will be the best options for flathead in the discolored water. If the wind and swell drop as predicted over the weekend, the beaches could be a great option. Some fish might move from the river to nearby beaches. Pilchards, mullet, pippies, and worms will be effective baits for flathead, bream, tarwhine, or tailor.

Ballina Bait and Tackle  Ph (02) 6686 2527 | https://www.facebook.com/p/Ballina-Bait-and-Tackle-100063582669959/

Evans Head

The wind has finally died down, improving conditions. In the lower reaches of the Evans Head River, bream, flathead, and whiting are all active. Off the beaches, good catches of bream, along with some tailor and jewfish, have been reported. Notably, jewfish tend to bite better when conditions are a bit rougher. The rock wall remains very rough at the moment, so it has not been receiving much attention from anglers.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Lake Kurwongbar

Nothing to report.

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

Hinze Dam

No report this week.

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

North Pine Dam

At North Pine Dam, fish have been schooling but not biting much. However, with rising water levels from the rain, it’s a good time to try again. Saratoga have been performing well in the electric boat zone around Rush Creek, with spinnerbaits and chatterbaits proving effective along the edges.

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

Wivenhoe Dam

No report.

Maroon Dam

Fishing here is similar to Moogerah Dam, with fish typically found along the edges. Start by working those edges with smaller baits, such as TN50s, small blades, or soft plastics on a lighter jig head (around 1/4 ounce) with a 3-inch paddle tail. Though there are big fish in Maroon Dam, the bait source is usually smaller, so downsizing your presentation is key. Target the edges from the boat ramp up into the creek and then work your way down the opposite side toward the dam wall. After rain, Maroon Dam tends to produce quality fish. 

Moogerah Dam

With the recent rain, target the fish at the Spit using metal spoons and soft plastics with heavy jig heads, working close to the bottom. Afterward, move toward the edges and fish with lipless crankbaits such as Jackal TN60s and TN50s. Small metal blades that vibrate are also effective. The rain has increased insect activity, drawing bait closer to the banks, which in turn brings the fish closer to the edges in search of food. Work your way around the dam, casting crankbaits along the banks. These lures are effective because their vibration attracts fish. If the Spit isn’t producing, try moving to the upper reaches of the dam and explore the creeks, as the rain can push fish into these areas. 

Hinze Dam

This dam on the Gold Coast has received a lot of rain, which has been favorable for fishing. As the water level rises, target fish around the deeper submerged timber areas. It may also be worth checking the back of the bays where the water might be murky, as resident fish often hold in these areas. Lipless crankbaits and jerkbaits that suspend are excellent lure choices. Cast around the trees, give the lure a twitch, and let it sit—larger fish will often come out to investigate and strike. Saratoga and bass are particularly active after rain, as insects get washed from the trees into the water. Search for Saratoga in the backs of bays and bass around deeper structure. If bass aren’t near the edges, try moving out to deeper points and submerged timber. Metal spoons in the 20-30g range are effective—cast them into the trees, let them flutter down, and slow roll them back out to entice a strike from the bass.

Warralon Dam

This dam, located near Beaudesert, only allows electric motors and has been producing some solid bass catches along the edges before the recent rain. TN50s, rattling vibrations, and lipless crankbaits work well here. Bass are consistently caught on these types of lures, and using small metal blades or crankbaits that dive deeper, whether casting or trolling, is effective. If you’re looking for something different, Wyaralong Dam is known for its Murray cod, which can grow up to a meter long. These large predatory fish love big lures, with big swimbaits, soft plastics, and spinnerbaits offering a good chance of landing one.

Live worms (nightcrawlers) have been great for catching big tilapia (over 50cm) and carp that are reaching 80-90cm. Carp also love corn—place it on a small hook with a float and cast it out. When the sinker dips, strike to catch one. (Please remember to dispose of pest fish like carp and Tilarpia in the correct manner.)

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