Fishing Report for 16th January 2025
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 website for details.
Hervey Bay/ Fraser Island
Fraser Island fishing has been relatively quiet recently, with only a few tailor catches from the usual spots like Happy Valley. However, fishing for dart, flathead, and whiting has been good, particularly along Fraser from Happy Valley to Cathedrals. Inshore fishing has still been productive, despite the freshwater pushing out of systems like the Barrum River and the Marry System, which has washed out much of the bait. Fish are still abundant around Big Woody and down the Straights. Inshore reefs have been fishing really well, with catches of grunter, grassy sweetlip, cod, queenfish, coral trout, and golden trevally. Sharks, however, have been a major issue this week.
Offshore, there have been some spotted mackerel around Rooney’s, but the bulk of them seem to have bypassed the area, heading further down the coast to places like Parmi Reef. While mack tuna and longtail tuna have yet to show up in large numbers, a few odd catches have been reported. Local systems are still holding fish, but the dirty water has slowed things down. Deep-dropping in deeper waters has been much more productive. Fishing past Break Sea off the top of Fraser, in 200-300 meters of water, has resulted in catches of flame tail, ruby snapper, pearl perch, amberjacks, small snapper, and some big barcod, which was a pleasant surprise. Due to the sharks, deep-dropping has been the most effective way to bring in fish.
| Fishos Tackleworld Ph (07) 4128 1022 | www.fishostackleworld.com.au |
Tin Can Bay
Offshore anglers have made the most of the recent good weather, venturing out over the Wide Bay Bar and being rewarded with strong catches of pearl perch, tuskfish, grassy sweetlip, cobia, and Spanish mackerel. However, avoiding sharks remains a key challenge.
Inshore, the ledges and rubble patches have produced good results, with cod, tuskfish, sweetlip, and small nannygai being caught. For those using lures, 85mm to 100mm vibes and 3.5-inch grub tail plastics have been highly effective.
Crabbing has been productive, with good numbers reported. Teebar and Snapper Creeks have been reliable spots, and crabbing on the flats at the back of the bay has also yielded good results.
Up in the creeks, mangrove jacks are on the bite. Early morning surface action has been hot, with ZMan Goats and Lucky Craft G Splash lures getting the strikes. On the top of the tide, small live baits fished deep into the snags have been a successful method for tempting jacks out of hiding.
| The Chandlery Bait & Tackle Ph (07) 5486 4744 | www.tcbchandlery.com.au |
Noosa
North Reef has been producing cobia, Spanish mackerel, snapper, pearl perch, and coral trout, though sharks have been a constant challenge. Further out at the Barwon Banks and the Hards, anglers are finding excellent numbers of pearl perch, tuskfish, Moses perch, gold-spot cod, and amberjack. The offshore scene is fishing well for those venturing wide.
| Deep Sea Fishing Co Noosa Ph 0411 222 749 | www.deepseafishingco.com.au |
There’s been solid action around the Woods Bays, with grunter and flathead being the highlights. Good-sized trevally are coming from the Frying Pan, while whiting are active along the sand flats of Noosaville. Jewfish are also biting well in Lake Cooroibah, with a few golden trevally in the mix. With this week’s huge tides, it’s worth targeting areas with some protection from the stronger currents.
| Noosa River Fishing Safaris Ph 0429 030 823 | www.noosariverfishing.com |
Fishing around the Noosa River mouth has been productive, with good bream and trevally moving through the area. Gympie Terrace is seeing good mud crab action, while Tewantin has been producing solid flathead catches. Makepeace Island has good bream and whiting, though crab activity has been minimal.
| O Boat Hire & Bait Supply Ph (07) 5449 7513 | www.oboathire.com |
Good catches of Spanish mackerel, coral trout, cobia, pearl perch, tuskfish, and sweetlip have been reported at North Reef.
| Noosa Bluewater Charters Ph (07) 5449 9355 | www.noosabluefishing.com.au |
Maroochydore
Big whiting in the Maroochy River mouth and the lower reaches — up to 40cm. Some nice flathead at the mouth of Eudlo Creek. Bream have been plentiful right throughout the River. Mudcrabs about through the middle reaches. Mangrove Jack around the rock bars further upstream.
Swan Boat Hire Ph 0403 601 452
Mooloolaba
Offshore, there has been good mackerel action, especially at the FADs off Mooloolaba, with plenty of wahoo and dolphin fish. Spanish mackerel have been biting on slow-trolled hard bodies and garfish around Murphy’s Reef, 12 Mile, and the Gneering. Further up at Chardon’s Reef, some pearl perch and sailfish have been caught. Caloundra wide is seeing small black marlin and sailfish as well.
At the Barwon Banks, particularly on the western side, there have been nice tusk fish and Moses perch, along with wahoo and Spanish mackerel on the shallower points. Along the beaches, plenty of school jewfish have been coming from the mouth of the Maroochy River, while the Kawana stretch has been producing plenty of dart and a few flathead in the gutters.
| Tackleworld Kawana Ph (07) 5444 0714 | www.tackleworldkawanafishingstore.com.au |
Black marlin, wahoo, and sailfish are being caught on the 50m line off Mooloolaba, while blue, black, and striped marlin are active on the shelf off Cape Moreton. Tuskfish and hussar are being found on the Barwon Banks.
| Smithys Fishing Charters Ph 0407 574 868 | www.smithysfishingcharters.com.au |
Caloundra
Whiting at Happy Valley and mouth of Bells Creek. Bream at mouth of Pelican Waters canals. Mangrove jacks in Pelican Waters canals and Lake Kawana. Mud crabs in the creeks. Squire and sweetlip on the close reefs of Caloundra. School, spotted and Spanish mackerel on 5 and 7 mile reefs.
| Caloundra Fishing World Ph (07) 5491 4566 | www.caloundrafishingworld.com.au |
Bribie Island
There are plenty of mud crabs and sand crabs in the passage. Mackerel can be found around the Birdcage, while dart are active on the surf side. Red Beach and Bongaree are producing good catches of whiting, bream, and flathead.
| Gateway Bribie Adventures Ph (07) 5497 5253 | https://www.facebook.com/gatewaybaitandtackle/ |
Northern Moreton Bay
Offshore, there has been a significant presence of wahoo and Spanish mackerel around Cape Moreton, Hutchinson Reef, and Flinders, with some small black marlin also reported through the trench. Dolphin fish are frequenting the FADs, and snapper catches have been strong around Hutchies and the inshore artificial reefs throughout the Bay. School mackerel have been spotted around the beacons, particularly the four beacons, while spotty mackerel are showing up in the southern Bay.
The river remains quite dirty, but good flathead catches have been reported at the mouths of creeks like the Caboolture and Pine Rivers. Mud crabs are also being caught, with the murky water in the lower reaches of these creeks and rivers contributing to lively crab action.
| Tackleworld Lawnton
Ph (07) 3205 7475 | www.facebook.com/tackleworldlawnton |
Moreton Bay Offshore
Spanish mackerel and dolphin fish are appearing in better numbers, offering solid opportunities for offshore anglers. On the main reefs, tuskfish and pearl perch are being caught when the current eases, allowing for more manageable fishing conditions.
| High Calibre Charters Ph 0421 922 713 | https://highcalibrefishingcharters.com.au/ |
Brisbane River – Northern Moreton Bay
The river is currently on fire, with threadfin salmon being caught from the lower reaches all the way to the port, including a cracking 127cm fish. There’s also plenty of grunter/javelin and bream from the lower reaches near Hawthorne up to the Rockwall at the mouth.
Around the islands, there are a few sweetlips and squire at Mud Island and on the eastern side of Green Island. School mackerel are abundant, especially around the usual spots like M8, M10, the measured mile, Shark Spit, Harris, and the Chain and Hope Banks. Weather conditions are expected to worsen, but if it clears up, the fishing should remain strong. Additionally, diver whiting are being caught around the Compass Adjustment Boy and the eastern side of Fisherman’s Island.
| Mr Bait
Ph 0431 222 721 | www.facebook.com/Mr-Bait-182344678957765 |
Redcliffe Peninsula
Bream, whiting, flathead, grunter, and school jew are being caught in Hayes, the Pine, and Bramble Bay. Yellowfin whiting are also active in Hayes, the Pine, and the Eastern foreshores. Offshore, snapper, grassy sweetlip, grunter, and some tailor are being landed off the Eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshores. Small cobia and queenfish have been reported in Bramble Bay. Grunter are showing up on the inshores and a few land-based catches as well. Mud crabs are being caught in the rivers and creeks, while sand crabs are active in Bramble Bay and off Margate Beach.
| Hornibrook Bait & Tackle Ph 0483 846 966 www.facebook.com/HornibrookBT |
Redland Bay
There are quite a few snapper and grassy sweetlip being caught from the shallow reefs around the islands and the southern Bay. Closer in, bream are active in the Raby Bay canals, and mud crabs remain abundant in the creeks, especially in areas like Tingalpa Creek and Hilliards Creek.
Spotty mackerel are schooling around Amity, up towards the Four Beacons, and the northern side of Harry Atkins Artificial Reef. They are also showing up around Hope Banks every now and then. A few whiting have been reported in the Rous Channel and Sandy Hills.
| Mossops Tackle Store Cleveland Ph (07) 3821 1240 | www.mossopsfishing.com.au |
Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin
JumpinPin – The recent rain has left the water at Jumpinpin quite dirty, especially on the low tide, but surprisingly, the low tide has still been fishing well. When the water clears, the mouth of the Pin and the lagoons at the top of South Stradbroke Island have been producing quality whiting, with surface lures and live yabbies working effectively. The bar at Jumpinpin and Kalinga Bank is holding great flathead, with bait schools keeping them in the area. On the low tide, good-sized trevally and flathead have been active along the Tipplers Channel entrance—locate the bait, and you’ll find the fish. Threadfin salmon are starting to appear in better numbers, and side scanning has been key to locating them.
In Moreton Bay, fishing has been exceptional, and Peel Island’s shallow reefs and areas like Dunwich are producing good numbers of sweetlip, snapper, and a mixed bag of reef species. Spottie mackerel are active at Harry Atkin’s Artificial Reef, with Surface lures, slugs and weighted jerk shad style plastics working well (if you can get past the sharks) —finding them often requires driving around to locate the schools. The Port of Brisbane and Mud Island have been consistent for snapper in the 50 to 60cm range. Tuna have been spotted busting up near the bars, but none have been landed this week.
| Capn’s Charters Ph 0410 590 049 | Capns Charters – Lure & Soft Plastic Fishing Charter |
Nth Stradbroke Island
Good flathead are being caught at Wynnum Jetty. Sweetlip are active at Green Island, while whiting can be found at the Chain Banks. Mackerel are being reported in the Rous Channel and Mount Cotton Reach, with squid also being caught around the Chain Banks.
| Water Tower Bait & Tackle Ph(07) 3396 1833 |
Report Pending.
| Point Lookout Bait & Fresh Fish Ph (07) 3409 8724 |
Jumpinpin
Report pending.
| Gem Bait & Tackle Ph (07) 3287 3868 | www.facebook.com/gembait |
Whiting fishing has been productive lately, with solid catches reported across various areas. Live worms, especially bloodworms, and yabbies rigged on size 4-8 longshank hooks have proven most effective for these prized table fish. Mangrove jacks are still on the chew, with mullet fillets and live baits delivering the best results. In some of the murkier spots around Jumpin Pin, mixed species such as grunter, cod, and threadfin salmon have also been making an appearance.
| Jacobs Well Boat Hire Ph (07) 5546 2608 | www.jacobswellboathire.com.au |
South Stradbroke Island
Good-sized javelin fish have been caught at the Aldershots, along with some good sized giant trevally, a baby hammerhead (protected), and small bull sharks in the deep channels of the Broadwater. Big summer whiting have been active over the shallows and yabby banks of the Coomera River.
| Gold Coast Boat Hire
Ph 0432 710 892 | www.goldcoastboathire.com.au |
Gold Coast Broadwater
There’s been some great fishing over the past week, with many anglers targeting the Broadwater and sneaking offshore thanks to the favorable conditions. Some spectacular catches of marlin, wahoo, dolphin fish, and mackerel have been made just a short trip out from the Seaway. The 36s have been the hotspot, with most of the bait concentrated there. If you’re hoping to land one of these pelagics, the next month is the best time of year to try.
It’s a shame the weather is turning just in time for the weekend, but fortunately, there are plenty of inside options. The rain from last week has fired up the fishing near the Seaway. With the change of tides, focus on deeper structure and target those areas. Vertical jigging will be effective around the bait schools.
The mangrove jack population seems to have doubled since last year! The number of anglers catching them is impressive, and many are landing good-sized fish. The dirty water has been helping, and the jacks are happily taking fresh fillets or live bait. The rock bars and deeper holes have been the best locations.
Whiting are still being caught in the usual spots in the Nerang River, as well as around the Coomera, near the red markers before you reach Sanctuary Cove in the South Arm, near Mick’s Place in the northern arm, and through into the Pimpama River. Mud crabs have also been on the move with the rain and tides, so it’s definitely worth setting out the pots.
| David McDonald Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina |
Southport
The mackerel have been quite spread out, with no single hotspot producing consistent action for more than a few hours. Trolling or spinning lures has been the most effective approach. Bait schools are finally starting to appear across the 12-26 fathom reefs, raising hopes that more pelagics will follow soon.
Mixed reef species such as teraglin, Moses perch, tuskfish, and reef flathead are contributing to the catches, though the very warm water has noticeably slowed the bite. Meanwhile, the reefs are teeming with huge sharks, making it a daily challenge to bring in a full catch without losing some to them.
| BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters Ph 0414 293 034 | https://bksfishing.com.au/ |
Offshore fishing is off the cards this weekend due to large seas, but inshore anglers are finding success in the seaway, where mangrove jacks and jewfish are schooling. Soft plastics and live baits have been the most productive methods for targeting these species. Flathead and whiting are being caught throughout the Broadwater, along with small schools of queenfish.
Up the rivers, trevally, mangrove jacks, and estuary cod are active around rock walls and bridge pylons. Whiting are being caught near the council chambers and in the Pimpama River, as well as Tallebudgera Creek.
| Gold Coast Fishing Tackle Ph (07) 5679 0840 | www.goldcoastfishingtackle.com.au |
Tweed Coast
Mackerel, wahoo, and mahi mahi are hitting lures but showing a stronger preference for live bait if you can secure some. On the 24-fathom grounds, bottom bashing has been productive for tuskfish, snapper, pearl perch, and Moses perch. However, the 30-fathom grounds are proving challenging to fish, with currents running at 2.8 knots or more, likely intensified by the recent full moon.
| Cushy Fishing Charters Ph 0418 631 076 | www.cushyfishingcharters.com.au |
Spanish mackerel are still in good numbers off the Gold Coast. Small black marlin are also starting to show in greater numbers. Spotty mackerel are still active, and dolphin fish are frequenting the FADs. On the game fishing front, blue marlin have been getting caught south of Tweed Heads still around that 200 to 250-meter line.
Inshore, the rivers are beginning to clear up, though additional rain is expected, which could slow the process. Mangrove jack remain active, particularly in the upper reaches, with plenty of trevally in the canals. Small soapie jewfish are still being caught around the rock walls, the mouth and the bridge pylons. Whiting activity has slowed, with only occasional catches, while mud crabs continue to be active in the upper reaches and behind Seagulls.
On the beaches and headlands, whiting and dart are being reported, with some tailor catches coming from the southern headlands, particularly around Cabarita and Snapper Rocks.
| Addict Tackle Ph (07) 5523 3535 | https://www.addicttackle.com.au/ |
Brunswick Heads
Deep-sea fishing in the cleaner water has been productive with snapper, mackerel, wahoo, kingfish, and dolphin fish, though sharks are posing a challenge by eating nearly everything that’s hooked, making it difficult to get a feed. The closer reefs are quieter, with murkier conditions from recent rain.
Beach and rock fishing has been decent, with catches of dart, bream, tailor, and some small jewfish. In the rivers, there’s been a good presence of whiting and mangrove jacks. Mud crabs are back on the scene, so with some effort, a seafood feed can still be had.
| Bruns Beach, Bait & Tackle https://www.instagram.com/brunsbeachbaitntackle/ |
Evans Head
Airforce and Main Beach are producing good bream, tailor, and school jewfish, while the rocks at the mouth have seen solid-sized bream and luderick. In the Evans River, anglers are catching quality bream, flathead, and whiting, with the upper reaches yielding some excellent mud crabs.
Offshore, the northern grounds and Chaos Reef are delivering good snapper, trag, and both spottie and Spanish mackerel.
| Evans Head Sports & Marine Ph (02) 6682 4536 | www.facebook.com/EvansheadSportsMarine |
Yamba
Fishing outside the Spanish Mackerel remains one of the best runs, with the largest fish weighed in recently at 34 kilos and measuring over 6ft. Snapper and pearlies have been quieter, though the upcoming southerly weather may stir things up, potentially improving catches in these areas.
Inside the rivers, there has been good action on bream, flathead, and whiting. Mangrove jacks are being caught throughout the system, from the river mouth to as far as Maclean and Lawrence, providing ample opportunities for anglers. Crabbing activity has slowed, with only a few mud crabs being reported.
The calm conditions are expected to benefit the bigger jewfish off the rocks, with catches likely to improve as the weather turns.
| Yamba Bait and Tackle Ph (02) 6646 1514 | https://www.facebook.com/yambabaitandtackle/ |
FRESHWATER FISHING
Hinze Dam
Hinze Dam continues to fish well, with plenty of Saratoga being caught in recent weeks. Surface baits, especially small poppers and topwater stick baits, have been working effectively. A new lure, the Megabass ANTHRAX, has also returned to stock and is expected to start catching fish at those levels. Crankbaits in the 12 to 15-foot range, like lipless crankbaits such as Jackal TN 60s, are performing well around submerged timber. Fish are spread throughout both the western and eastern arms of the dam.
Moogerah Dam
Moogerah Dam is still fishing well, with fish concentrated in the main basin area and along the banks. Lipless crankbaits, crankbaits, and chatterbaits are working effectively to target these fish, with soft plastics, particularly small 3.5–4 inch paddle tails, providing a good alternative now and then. The main basin, from the Spirit to the flats in the six-knot zone and near Caravan Point, has been producing solid catches.
Wivenhoe Dam
Wivenhoe Dam is fishing well, with a lot of anglers seeing good results recently. The rocky points and edges have been productive, with fish located quite shallow. Lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits are all effective for both bass and yellowbelly, especially when thrown to provoke a reaction bite.
| Charltons Fishing Ph (07) 3818 1677 | www.charltonsfishing.com.au |
Hinze Dam
At Hinze Dam, anglers have reported a few good saratoga in the western and eastern arms, along with some solid bass. With the strong winds expected this weekend, fishing deeper with soft plastics and metal jigs will likely yield the best results. Finding sheltered areas out of the wind will also be key for success.
| Gold Coast Fishing Tackle Ph (07) 5679 0840 | www.goldcoastfishingtackle.com.au |
Borumba Dam
At Borumba Dam there’s been some great fishing with some good-sized saratoga caught on surface lures in the early mornings and late afternoons.
| Tackleworld Kawana Ph (07) 5444 0714 | www.tackleworldkawanafishingstore.com.au |
Lake Kurwongbah and Monduran
At Lake Kurwongbah and Monduran, fishing has been decent, but not as good as just before Christmas. The spillway at Lentilles is currently dirty, but fish are still being caught sporadically, making it a bit hit and miss overall, mainly due to the freshwater runoff.
| Fishos Tackleworld Ph (07) 4128 1022 | www.fishostackleworld.com.au |
THIS WEEK’S GALLERY
Capn’s Charters
Deep Sea Fishing Co
Noosa Bluewater Charters
Noosa River fishing Safari
High Calibre Charters
BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters
David McDonald
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