Fishing Report for 16th October 2025

Fishing Report Thu 16 Oct 2025

Hervey Bay / Fraser Island

The pier has been holding plenty of Herring, with Broadbar Mackerel and School Mackerel being caught. Local beaches like Shelly Beach are producing Summer Whiting at night on the high tide. Point Vernon and nearby beaches have decent Grunter numbers and good sizes.

On the inshore reefs, Broadbar Mackerel, Kingfish, Golden Trevally, Coral Trout, and Grassy Sweetlip have all been caught this week. Offshore, larger Marlin are showing up, while Yellowfin Tuna numbers are starting to drop. Small Black Marlin have been reported out at Rooney’s. The Gutters are fishing well for Trout, and the sharks haven’t been too bad there. The Burrum and Mary River systems have been quiet.

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

Tin Can Bay

A few Longtail Tuna are still showing at Inskip Point, taking 30g Halco Twisties and both floating and sinking stickbaits. Spanish Mackerel have also been caught from Inskip Point through to Big Mick and around the front of the bar on trolled baits or hardbodies. Tiger Squid are active at Snapper Creek in the evenings, particularly around lights, and are worth targeting wherever there is illumination on the water.

It’s a good time to drop pots for Mud Crabs, with some quality A-grade crabs being caught where they can be found. The upper reaches of Teebar, Carlo, and Kauri Creek are all fishing well. With northerlies and rising temperatures, Mangrove Jack are firing, and throwing 4–5 inch paddle tails into the snags has been producing consistent bites.

There have been solid Cod in Teebar, at Carlo Boat Ramp, and Bullock Point, along with a few standout Barramundi on live baits and 4–7 inch soft plastics. Big Whiting, mostly in the high 30s to 40s, are taking beach worms or fresh yabbies, with good spots including Inskip Point, Ida Island, and the flats at the front of Teebar Creek.

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

Noosa

Cobia, Cod, Tuna, and Snapper are being caught in the bait schools around 45 to 55 metres on North Reef and Chardons. Barwon Banks and Double Island Point are producing good-sized Goldband, Tuskfish, Moses Perch, Snapper, and Pearl Perch in 50 to 65 metres.

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

Fishing has been a bit slower over the past seven days following the recent supermoon, but some nice Flathead were still caught at the end of the tide. The weekend leading into the new moon should produce a good bite. Target the river mouth on the ebb tide for Flathead, with a few quality Whiting being caught on the flood over the sandbars.

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

Fishing conditions have been excellent this week, producing quality Goldspot Cod, Jewfish, Large-mouth Nannygai, Snapper, Pearl Perch, Cobia, Sweetlip, and Maori Cod. Around Double Island Point and the North Reef area have been successful. More good weather is expected over the weekend.

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

Not much has changed from last week with Whiting in the lower reaches from Noosaville to the Noosa Sound. Flathead are still being caught along the Noosaville stretches, while Bream are present throughout the river up to the first lake. Grunter are being found near the Cable Ferry.

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

Maroochydore

Bream are being caught throughout the river, Whiting near the river mouth, and Queenfish and Trevally around the motorway bridge.

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

Mooloolaba

Offshore reports have been limited, but a few Snapper are coming from Caloundra 12 Mile, with Snapper and Pearl Perch caught at Caloundra wide in about 60 metres. Murphy’s Reef has produced good-sized Tuskfish and the occasional Cobia.

Along the beaches, Whiting and Flathead are being caught in the gutters. There have been some great Flathead catches in both the Maroochy and Mooloolah Rivers, with Mangrove Jack active around the structure in the Mooloolah River. At Lake Kawana, Trevally are hitting surface lures early in the morning.

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

Caloundra

Pending

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

There’s been plenty of Trevally and Queenfish around Military Jetty, the mouth of Pelican Waters, and Golden Beach. Whiting are being caught at Bells Creek, with a few Flathead also showing up around the creek mouths. On the inshore reefs, Sweetlip have been biting well. Offshore, Snapper and Pearl Perch are being caught around Caloundra 12 Mile and Caloundra Wide. A few Spanish Mackerel are starting to show, though most are still small. There are also some Longtail Tuna moving through the area.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

The weather looks a bit up and down this weekend, but a few anglers are still getting out. Around Moreton, some good Spanish Mackerel have been caught on slow-trolled dead and live baits around Hutchies Reef. Snapper have also been taken there on lightly weighted soft plastics, and there have been a few Dolphin Fish around the FADs off North Moreton.

In the southern bay, School Mackerel are showing around Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef. Around Redcliffe, Grunter and Squire are being caught in the shallows off Scarborough. The creeks and rivers are also fishing well, with good Summer Whiting caught through the Passage and at the mouth of Coochin Creek. The mouths of the Caboolture and Pine Rivers are producing plenty of Flathead on the outgoing tide, and Mangrove Jack are active up the Caboolture River and through the Pumicestone Passage creeks. A few Mud Crabs are about in the middle to upper reaches after the recent rain.

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

Sandgate/Shorncliffe Pier

Shorncliffe Pier has produced a mixed bag of catches this week. Cracker Bream and smaller Tarwhine have been common, with standout Bream measuring 31cm, 32cm, and 34cm caught on live bloodworms using light Whiting gear.

A few small Stingrays have been landed, with larger ones breaking off after strong runs on light tackle. Sand Whiting have also been caught, many likely within legal size, and a large Flounder was reported from the end of the pier.

Some large fish under the pier have been testing anglers on light gear, with most proving too strong to stop. Hardyheads, live bloodworms, and Bream Bites have been the best baits. Small Cobia are starting to show, and Longtail Tuna should follow soon.

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

Brisbane River

This week’s report is similar to last week, with Snapper feeding along the Rockwall, particularly around 6am. The Brisbane River is producing Jewfish and Threadfin, holding in deeper water along the drop-offs near the Port of Brisbane mouth. School Mackerel are still being caught close in, with reports from Wellington Point, King Island, the back of Green Island, north of Mud Island, and the shipping lanes.

Flathead are abundant, with good catches from Ningi, the front of the airport, the back of Fisherman’s Island, and the front of Wynnum Boardwalk. Whiting are active near Darcy Light, the eastern side of Fisherman’s Island, and the river mouth. Snapper numbers remain low overall, with only occasional fish showing. Mud Crabs are starting to appear with the current moon phase, while Sand Crabs are being found around King Island, Wellington Point, the back of Green Island, the river mouth, and Mud Island.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Snapper, Pearl Perch, and Venus Tuskfish have been biting east of Moreton Island in about 60 metres of water.

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

Bream are being caught in Manly Harbour. School Mackerel are showing from Almoston to Green Island. Sand Crabs are active along the waterfront from Wynnum up to the Port, around Green Island, and down to Aquatic Paradise.

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

Tailor are being caught along Main Beach on North Stradbroke. Nice Summer Whiting are coming from Reeders Point at the southern end of Moreton Island. Snapper have been caught at Harry Atkinson’s, while Cobia are showing around the Curtain Artificial Reefs. Diver Whiting are being caught near Darcy Light off Wynnum, with Bream active around Raby Bay. Sand Crabs are about from Almoston to Cleveland Point.

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

Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin

Moreton Bay this weekend and early next week should fish well. Out the front of Cleveland Point/Raby Bay, the five-metre line is worth sounding around for rubble to find Sweetlip, Flathead, and Squire on the high tide. North and south of Peel Island are also worth a look depending on the wind, with bait holding along the reef edges producing quality Snapper. In the southern bay around Macleay Island there are still good Jewfish, while Garden and Lamb Islands have been holding Flathead. Threadfin Salmon are still in the area but on the move, so finding them on the sounder first before targeting them has been the most effective approach.

Jumpinpin is fishing very well with plenty of Jewfish near the bar and along Kalinga Bank. Any deeper pocket holding bait is worth a try, with both Jewfish and large Flathead coming from these areas. The bigger Flathead have moved out of the deeper sections, though a few are still being caught there. Flathead fishing has been strong through the Bedrooms, Tipplers Channel, and Tiger Mullet Channel. Cleaner water and patches of bait have been key to finding good numbers and quality-sized fish.

Bream are more spread out now, so it’s best to target them along the deeper ledges and drop-offs. Whiting are biting well on the yabby flats around Gold Bank and the Lagoon, with good-size fish caught on bait. There are also plenty of Trevally and other pelagic species hanging around Aldershots and the Sovereign Island area, making it a good spot to fish over the weekend.

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

Jumpinpin

Good numbers of Whiting have been caught this week, with live bloodworms and live yabbies proving to be the best baits. Tailor are slowing down, though a few late-season larger fish are still around, especially near the southern end of North Stradbroke. Recent rain has stirred up some Jewfish, and there are also reports of school-sized fish moving through.

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

South Stradbroke Island

Super-sized Javelin Fish are being caught along the Aldershots, with Mud Crabs large and full around the mouths of the Coomera Rivers. Nice-sized Flathead are in the shallows around Crab Island, while Whiting are being caught at Sanctuary Cove in the southern branch of the Coomera River. Big Yellowfin Bream are coming from the inside channel of Sovereign Island.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

Not a perfect weekend ahead, with a SE change coming through Saturday night. There have been some great catches of flathead this week from the Broadwater to the Pin Bar. The average size has definitely increased over the last few weeks, with many fish in the 50–60cm range. The deeper edges, like the Jumpinpin Bar and the Seaway, have been the best places to fish for the bigger flathead. The key to fishing the Seaway for flathead is to target where the rocks meet the sand, or even patches of sand between the rocks. They lie right beside the rocks, waiting to ambush any prey that passes by.

The banks are holding good numbers of flathead for those using plastics, as well as for people trolling hardbodies. The banks around Never Fails, the Measured Mile, west of the Aldershots, Browns Bay, and Crab Island have all produced fish this week. Whiting have been caught up the Nerang around the council chambers on the edge of the banks. They have also been caught in the Coomera and Pimpama Rivers. The pros have been netting the north arm of the Coomera, so it might be best to target other areas.

David McDonald
Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

Some nice Snapper are on the chew, though the bite has slowed a little this week. With the water temperature dropping a couple of degrees, another good bite can be expected before the season ends. Mixed species being caught around 26 fathoms include Trevally, Tailor, Blue Spot Flathead, Tuna, and Tuskfish.

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

Offshore in the canyons, Yellowfin Tuna up to 50 kg have been landed, along with Striped Marlin and some big Dolphin Fish.
At the 50s, anglers are finding Kingfish, Amberjack, Samsonfish, Pearl Perch, and Snapper.
The 18s and 24s have been producing plenty of Cobia, Jewfish, and solid Snapper. Tailor fishing has been strong around Jumpinpin Bar and South Stradbroke, with good-sized fish showing up. Smaller Chopper Tailor are along most beaches, mixed with quality Summer Whiting and Tarwhine. In the Broadwater, Garfish and Flathead are active in both the shallows and deeper channels. There are a few Sand Crabs about and a solid run of Whiting through the Broadwater itself. Up the rivers, Mangrove Jack, Trevally, and Estuary Cod are biting best after dark.

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

Tweed Coast

The Tweed River is holding big Flathead throughout, from the bar right up river, with the top of the tide and the turn producing best. Whiting are in good numbers further up the river in the cleaner water, and Bass are being caught in the upper reaches up to the Rous River. Mangrove Jack are firing up across the system, especially around the snags.

Offshore, Kingfish and Cobia are about, with Spanish Mackerel and Wahoo also being caught, the Mackerel showing south of Tweed and the Wahoo around the Tweed itself. Tailor are being caught at the bar and rock walls then moving into the river on the top of the tide. Trevally have provided great sport at Terranora and all across the Tweed. Surface fishing has been very successful for both Whiting and Bream.

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

Brunswick Heads

Deep sea fishing has been quieter lately, with a few Snapper, Kingfish, and Pearl Perch caught. The bigger boats heading out to the shelf have also taken a few Barcod. Beach fishing is producing Dart, Whiting, Bream, and Flathead, but the numbers are low and anglers need to work for a feed. Along the rock wall and in the river, smaller Jewfish, a few Trevally, Bream, Flathead, Blackfish, and Whiting are being caught, with the occasional Tailor taking a line. Some Mud Crabs are also around.

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

Ballina

Offshore conditions are looking a bit bumpy this weekend, especially after the strong winds forecast for Friday, making it a better option to fish the beach or river instead. The beaches have produced quality Flathead and Whiting, along with Bream, Dart, and the occasional Tailor. Pilchards, worms, mullet, and small pilchards have been the best bait options, while small jerkshads or curl-tail plastics in natural colours have also been effective.

In the river, there have been good numbers of quality crabs in the main river and a few in North Creek. The warm weather has kept the Whiting and Mangrove Jack active. Larger run-in tides have brought better Whiting, while the run-out tides have suited the Jacks. Worms, yabbies, and surface lures have been best for Whiting, and live baits and hardbody lures have drawn strong hits from the Jacks.

Flathead are still spread throughout the system from the river mouth to Wardell, with pilchards, prawns, mullet, and bright-coloured soft plastics all working well. Bass are holding well upstream, taking surface lures early in the day before switching to jigs and diving hardbodies as the day warms up.

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

Evans Head

Airforce Beach has produced Jewfish both day and night, with Bream, Flathead, and the odd Dart showing up too. Around the North and South Walls, there have been a few Jewfish caught, along with Flathead, Whiting, and some Luderick.

Over at the Black Hole, Mud Crabs have been active, and anglers have also picked up a few Mangrove Jack, Bream, Flathead, and Whiting. Offshore at Chaos Reef, Snapper have been biting, with the occasional Jewfish mixed in.

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

Yamba

The river is still producing plenty of Bream, Flathead, and Whiting. There have also been a few solid Mangrove Jack caught, showing the Jack season is starting to fire up. Tailor along the wall have been a bit quiet, and the same goes for Jewfish. Offshore, there are still good Snapper and Pearl Perch being caught, with plenty of Tuna about. With the water temperature rising, there’s a good chance of an early run of Mackerel.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Lake Kurwongbah

Lake Kurwongbah is fishing well with good Bass caught around the weed beds. Small blades, jerkbaits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are all producing. Out in the middle, small blades are working best when the fish are suspended.

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

Moogerah Dam

Moogerah is still fishing well with Bass being caught along the edges in about 15 to 20 feet of water. Soft plastics are working best at the moment, especially fished on heavier jigheads around the deeper sections of the spit. Metal spoons in the 20 to 30 gram range are also getting results. Some fish are pushing up the creek and along the flats in the six-knot zone. Deep-diving crankbaits are worth a go both along the edges and out in open water. The afternoon bite has been particularly strong, though mornings are still producing.

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

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast is fishing well on both sides, with Bass holding on deeper points in the main basin and also up the arms. Spinnerbaits, small crankbaits, and soft plastics are the go-to lures.

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

At Hinze Dam, Saratoga are being caught in the back reaches on fly or small topwater lures like Cicadas. Once the sun is up, metal jigs or spinnerbaits fished deep are working better.

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

North Pine Dam

North Pine Dam is fishing well with Bass taking trolled hardbodies and spinnerbaits along the edges. At Lake Kurwongbah, early mornings and late afternoons have been best for Bass and Saratoga on surface lures.

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

North Pine Dam (Lake Samsonvale) continues to produce Bass off the edges on spinnerbaits, metal spoons, and soft plastics. Out in the middle there are still big schools showing, so metal blades, spoons, and deep-diving crankbaits are worth using. Trolling deeper crankbaits around the dam has also been effective.

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