Fishing Report for 15th May 2025

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

Hervey Bay / Fraser Island

Waddy point to Indian Head and the Fraser Island surf beaches have been fishing well, with tailor showing up in decent numbers despite the cooler weather setting in. Dart, flathead, and whiting have also been caught consistently along the outer beaches. On the inside, anglers have been targeting whiting and flathead, while a number of anglers have been chasing big sharks — tiger sharks, hammerheads, and large bull sharks have all been landed along the inside beaches in recent weeks.

Out in the Bay, Spanish mackerel have been around in massive numbers. Anglers targeting them have done very well, with broad-barred and school mackerel also showing up in big numbers. Longtail tuna have thinned out significantly compared to the frenzy a month ago, but mac tuna are still widespread around Platypus Bay and up towards Rooney’s Point.

Down the Straits, there have been good reports of coral trout, cod, grassy sweetlip, and the odd big tuna pushing through — some around the 20kg mark. Queenfish and golden trevally have also been active, and there’s been a strong run of big grunter as well. Prawns have come back in numbers in the Burrum River following earlier rainfall, and both the Burrum and Mary Rivers have been producing a few mud crabs. Sand crabs are also being caught again throughout Hervey Bay, particularly from Point Vernon.

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

Tin Can Bay

Crabs are on the march around the flats near the powerlines and Carlo, with good numbers showing up. There’s plenty of bream holding in the snags up the creeks, and strong numbers of flathead have been caught between the Snack Shack and Crab Creek. The Bom Hope is fishing well with cod, bream, and the odd mangrove jack turning up. Out at the 40ft, there’s been good numbers of grass sweetlip, slatey bream, and cod.

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

Maroochydore

It’s been pretty quiet this week with bream and flathead showing up consistently. Whiting have been around mostly near the river mouth, but overall the fishing has been a bit slow.

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

Noosa

The weather’s been a bit average lately, but Sunshine Reef has still produced coral trout, sweetlip, snapper, and Moses perch. North Reef has seen some cod, snapper, and a few pearl perch coming over the side.

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

It’s been a bit tough with the weather, but there’ve been some nice flathead caught along Gympie Terrace. A couple of whiting have also come off the sand flats on yabbies, and there seems to be a fair few diamond trevally getting around too.

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

No report due to weather

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

Pending

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

Mooloolaba

At the mouth of the Maroochy River, bream, whiting, and a few gar have been caught on the top of the tide. In the Mooloolah River, trevally have been active around the trawler docks, with bream also showing up along the Balsa Park stretch. Mud crabs have been widespread throughout both the Mooloolah and Maroochy River estuaries.

Offshore activity has been limited due to persistent rough weather over the past week, but the upcoming weekend looks more promising. For those heading out, the 12 Mile would be worth a try for snapper and possibly some late-season Spanish mackerel. Closer in, reefs off Coolum, Murphy’s, and Currimundi could be worth fishing, with grassy sweetlip typically responding well after heavy rain.

There are no current reports from the dams due to the significant freshwater inflow affecting conditions.

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

No report due to weather.

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

Caloundra

Marcoola Beach has seen a few bream and whiting caught during the day, with tailor and dart showing up more consistently in the afternoons, especially as the swell settles and conditions improve. Mud crabs remain thick across the area, particularly around the creeks and estuaries, which has been great to see.

There’s been a handful of tailor off the beaches and some flathead down the passage, though catches have been hit and miss depending on the weather. As this weekend’s conditions look more favourable, beach fishing should improve with a good chance of bream, dart, tailor, and daytime whiting if the winds stay light.

When boats have been able to get out, inshore reefs have fished really well for sweetlip and snapper. Further offshore, there’s still a chance at some bigger Spanish mackerel and cobia, but with so few boats heading out recently, reports are limited. This weekend should give a clearer picture of what’s still out wide.

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

Donnybrook

Pending

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

Northern Moreton Bay

The Caboolture River is fishing well with good numbers of flathead, bream, and tailor, especially around the bridges at night. Tailor are also showing around the mouth of the Pine River. The Brisbane River remains consistent for jewfish, threadfin salmon, tailor, and the occasional snapper. Heading out a bit wider towards Mud Island, there have been steady reports of cobia and a few mackerel still getting around, along with school mackerel and bonito closer in. Shorncliffe Jetty anglers are still getting mac-tuna and schoolies using floated pilchards or lures. Redcliff has been really good for snapper and tailor early morning or late afternoon, with slightly rougher weather actually helping the bite.

Up the Pumicestone Passage, snapper have been caught as far up as The Ripples. Donnybrook and Toorbul flats are producing good flathead numbers, and a few whiting are still about. Cleaner water is key, with live yabbies and prawns continuing to do well. A couple of jewfish are still being caught off Bongaree near the drop-offs. Crabbing down that way has slowed—there are still plenty of crabs about, but many are coming up empty, so it’s a matter of picking through to find the fuller ones.

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

Sandgate/Shorncliffe Pier

Shorncliffe Pier has been firing, with mac tuna, mackies, and flathead all being caught in good numbers. Tuna are smashing live yellowtail pike and hardyheads dropped straight down, while small white or pearl soft plastics—especially ZMan Slim SwimZ—are proving highly effective. Quality flathead are coming off the flats and the pier throughout the day, with live winter whiting proving irresistible to the bigger lizards. With tuna and mackies sticking around, there’s still plenty of classic catches to be made.

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

Brisbane River

Flathead are showing up in good numbers, especially out the front of Nudgee, around Jacksons Creek and Juno point where the flats are holding fish. At the mouth of the river, there are more flathead, bream, a few squire, and the usual jewfish and threadfin—while not in thick numbers, they’re still being caught.

Sand crabs have been a little quiet, but mud crabs are widespread. The boat passage, mangrove-lined banks from Wynnum Creek up to Fishermans Island, and the lower reaches of the Brisbane River are all producing well.

The weekend weather is looking favourable if the wind holds, though potential rainfall could bring some squally conditions. Reports from the islands have been limited due to the weather, but mackerel, snapper, and sweetlip are expected to be around once conditions settle.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

No report due to weather

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

No report due to weather

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

Bream, whiting, flathead, and school jew are being caught around Hayes, the Pine, and Bramble Bay. Yellowfin whiting are showing up in Hayes, the Pine, and along the Eastern foreshores, with a few scattered winter whiting starting to appear. Snapper and some tailor have been caught off the Eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshore areas. Tailor, school mackerel, mack tuna, longtail tuna, and the occasional cobia are being caught in Bramble Bay and around Woody Point and Shorncliffe jetties, as well as near the beacons in the bay.

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

Chopper tailor, dart, whiting, and flathead have been active along all beaches. Some massive jewfish were landed last week in the deeper beach gutters. Once the wind and weather shift, bream activity is expected to pick up.

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

Redland Bay

There’s been plenty of tailor moving around the Bay, with good numbers showing up in spots like Cleveland, Manly, and across near Dunwich. On the west side, solid tailor bust-ups have been seen, along with some recent catches off the ocean beaches. In the river, there’s been some good jewfish showing up. School mackerel are still around, and a couple of anglers have scored some decent mackerel as well. Snapper have been showing nicely too, especially around the artificial reef and further offshore, with some good-sized fish coming in.

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

Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin

The water around Jumpin Pin has been starting to clean up, and the system is fishing well despite the recent rain. There’s plenty of bait moving through, with prawns in the back creeks and whitebait out front. Good numbers of quality flathead are being caught, especially on the high tide around the mouth and tip of Crusoe Island, Coalinga Banks, and along mangrove-lined edges further up the system. These areas have been holding fish consistently.

On the run-out tide, the Jacobs Well region through to the Aldershots and Sovereign Island is producing good numbers of bream, flathead, and trevally. Lightly weighted soft plastics are working well, particularly around bait schools.

Heading into the Bay, anglers are finding snapper, sweetlip, and squire in decent numbers around Peel Island, Goat Island, and Macleay Island, where some better-quality snapper are being landed. Schools of jewfish and threadfin salmon are still moving through the Southern Bay Islands, along with tailor in the 60–65cm range following the bait.

Plenty of prawns are still about around the Southern Bay Islands, contributing to the action. Conditions this weekend are looking better, with lighter winds offering a good opportunity to get out.

In the Northern Bay, most of the bait has pushed towards areas like Scarborough Reef, Mud Island, and the Port of Brisbane, where the fishing has improved. Tuna are still being caught off Shorncliffe Pier, along with school mackerel. Sweetlip, squire, jewfish, and threadfin salmon are also being caught around the Port of Brisbane.

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

Jumpinpin

Early mornings at the bar have seen tailor feeding well on pillies, whitebait, and metal lures. Flathead are coming off Tabby Tabby and Kalinga Bank, while whiting are active around the Pig Styes and Fisherman’s Channel. Bream are being caught in the deeper waters off Swan Bay and Cobby Rocks.

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

This week saw good numbers of mulloway around the Pin, with some solid fish pushing over the metre mark. They’ve been fairly spread out and not too fussy—taking live baits, dead baits, and lures alike. Tailor have also been coming through in smaller numbers, with a mix of sizes. A few quality whiting have been taken on live bloodworms and yabbies, while the northern Pin and southern Moreton Bay islands are still seeing good prawn activity.

South Stradbroke Island

Only two hires this week due to the weather—one just went cruising, and the other couldn’t even lose a bait. On the upside, a neighbour managed a few mud crabs over the last couple of days in Coombabah Creek. There’ve also been reports of some good squire in the Seaway and a couple of decent flathead caught near the lagoon entrance at the northern tip of South Stradbroke Island.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

Showers forecast for the weekend but at least the winds should be light. Not many people braved the conditions and fished this week. The tides are getting smaller which will help fishing the seaway. Tailor schools have been active most mornings in the seaway or just south around SeaWorld. They can be frustrating to target because as soon as they appear they go back down deep. As always keep an eye out for the birds and quietly approach the school. Larger reef fish have been caught around the seaway walls recently with some great size sweetlip, squire and morwong up to 60cm. Look for any isolated bits of structure and target the area with your drifts. With the slower tide movement whiting will be active around Wavebreak island, the sand banks to the south, Carters bank and along the main channel beside Currigee. Prawns are still being caught up north at Jacobs well, Horizon shores, Logan river and the salt works. Had no reports of any crabs this week but I’m sure it would be worth chasing sand crabs across the high tide during the day in the deeper channels.

David McDonald  Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

No report due to weather

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

Offshore has been quiet with limited opportunities due to poor weather, making it difficult for anyone to get out. Inshore, there are still a few whiting, bream, and flathead being caught across the flats. Mangrove jacks are still active in Currumbin Creek, and the crabs have been moving well, with strong bait sales reflecting that. Late last week and into early this week, prawns were running well at the Pin, and there’s still been solid catches of threadfin salmon and jewfish in the deeper sections around the area.

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

Tweed Coast

No report due to weather

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

Pending

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

Brunswick Heads

With wet and windy conditions continuing, there’s no deep sea or beach report this week. However, the rock walls have been producing solid jewfish, and the rivers are fishing well with bream, flathead, jacks, and jewfish all being caught. There’s also been a good run of keeper mud crabs coming in, which is a welcome bonus despite the weather.

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

Ballina

No report due to weather

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

Evans Head

Off Airforce Beach, fishing in the evenings and early mornings has been producing jewfish. The north and south walls are holding good numbers of luderick, bream, whiting, and flathead, with jewfish moving into the area later in the day. In the rivers, bream and flathead have been showing up in the lower reaches. Goanna Headland has also seen some attention, with a few anglers targeting jewfish. One longtail tuna was hooked there but managed to bust off before being landed.

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

Yamba

There have been some great bream around, including another one weighed in at 1.3kg on the opposite side of the river. Ocean rocks continue to produce well for bream. The downside is that, following all the recent rain, there have been some reports of red spot on fish—any affected fish should be released to allow recovery.

Flathead fishing has been hit and miss. There are still a few around if you can find cleaner pockets, but it takes persistence in the current conditions. Some jew are still being caught. On the Iluka side, where the beaches are cleaner, tailor have been reported, though beaches further south have been slower due to the dirty water pushing southward.

There was a good run of mud crabs as the freshwater flushed them downriver, but the recent downpour may affect that moving forward. Offshore opportunities have been limited, but when conditions allowed, the northern grounds around Black Rock and north of Evans have fished better than areas to the south. Reports include snapper, pearl perch, and parrotfish, showing signs of the season beginning to turn. Finding the right weather window remains key.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Wivenhoe Dam

Wivenhoe Dam is starting to pick up, with bass spread from Billy’s Bay and Platypus Cliffs right up to Hamon Cove. Crankbaits in the 2–3 metre range are working well, along with spinnerbaits and metal spoons if you locate schools sitting deeper. Chatterbaits are another solid option—don’t hesitate to throw one to fire up a bite.

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

Moogerah Dam

Moogerah Dam has been fishing well early in the week. Most of the bass have moved up into the creeks, particularly around the tree lines. Crankbaits diving to around 3–4 metres are doing the best—try to bump the bottom, as that’s where the fish are holding. There are also fish in shallower water around the trees, and jerkbaits like Squirrels or Lucky Craft Pointers have been working well in 1–2 metres. Most of the action is up the creek, but some bass are still being caught on the spit and near the dam wall.

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

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast continues to fish well, with both bass and saratoga hitting topwater lures in the backs of the bays. Surface options like Jackall Pompadours, poppers, and other small creature baits are doing the trick. Subsurface spinnerbaits are also getting results.

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

Kurwongbah/North Pine Dam

In the freshwater, recent rain has made things patchy, but there have still been some decent bass in the permit-only zone at North Pine Dam, caught on blades or live shrimp worked deep. Yellowbelly have been slower but are still showing in the same areas.

At Lake Kurwongbah (also known as Lake Wonga), Forgan Cove and further up the northern arm continue to produce, with saratoga being caught on small surface lures like cicadas or lightly weighted plastics. The clearer water up the back after rain seems to be helping.

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

At Lake Kurwongbah, the bass have started moving closer to the edges as the weather cools. Spinnerbaits, metal spoons, and soft plastics are all working well. As the water gets colder, the fish will likely shift deeper, making metal spoons more effective, but for now, casting along the edges is producing.

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

Lake Lenthalls – Lake Monduran

Lake Lenthalls remains a bit quiet, but anglers using LiveScope in the main basin have been finding good numbers of bass, often landing 5 to 10 quality fish per session.

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

THIS WEEK’S GALLERY

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Deep Sea Fishing Co

Capn’s Charters

Tackle Land


Evans Head Sports & Marine  

Tackleworld Lawnton 
 

Gem Bait & Tackle