Fishing Report for 17th October 2024

Fishing Report Thu 17 Oct 2024

Murray Cod Closed Season: 1 August to 31 October — All Queensland fresh waters in the Murray-Darling Drainage Division (some exceptions apply — check the Queensland Fisheries website).

Spanish Mackerel northern closure: begins at 12:01 am on Monday, 30 September and runs through to the end of 21 October (inclusive). This closure applies to east coast waters north of latitude 22˚S (located slightly north of Stanage Bay.) Anglers are prohibited from taking or possessing Spanish mackerel in these waters.

Hervey Bay/ Fraser Island

In the Mary and Susan Rivers, there have been good numbers of barramundi schooling up, though they’ve been tough to get to bite lately. Grunter and cod, on the other hand, have been biting well on lures in the Mary River this week.

Along the beach near Urangan Pier, whiting are around, with live worms being the best bait. At the end of the pier, broad-bar mackerel have been caught frequently. Inshore reefs like Big Woody and the artificial structures have seen good numbers of broad-bar mackerel and big-eye trevally, along with smaller numbers of high-quality grassy sweetlip and trout. Mac tuna are also showing up down the straits.

Small black marlin have been a tricky catch, with many missed bites, but skirts have proven to be the best lure option. Offshore, flame tail are being caught in decent numbers, although they’ve been hard to locate. Try fishing the shelf around the 180 to 300m depth. Pearly and red emperor are biting in the 80 to 100m zone, while red emperor, pearlies, and tuskfish are being found in depths of 40 to 70m.

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

Tin Can Bay

Whiting are being caught at Snapper Creek on the flats around the top of the tide. Sand crabs are at the mouth, and mud crabs are further up the creeks. With the full moon, crabbing should be excellent. Mangrove jacks are being hooked around snags using strips of soaked mullet, and there’s even a chance of pulling up a barramundi on the outgoing tide. Surface lures, like 80mm hard bodies or prawn imitations, are working well.

On the western side of Fraser Island, the big drains have seen some great flathead action in the afternoons, along with possible barra and salmon. At Inskip Point, queenfish over a meter have been spotted, along with GTs. Cod and nannygai have been reported in the deep hole at Inskip, while Tinnan Bar Reef is producing small tusk fish and cod.

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

Noosa

Bream are biting around the Frying Pan and off the jetties. Flathead are active along the edges and in the shallows, with soft plastics proving effective. Whiting have been going after live yabbies. While crabs have been hit and miss, the warmer weather should have them moving more soon.

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

There have been some big flathead around the mouth and in Woods Bay, with plenty of trevally active in the bays as well. Grunter and mulloway have been biting in Cooroibah, offering some solid fishing opportunities there.

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

North Reef, Chardons, and Sunshine Reefs have been productive this week, with catches including mackerel, tuna, snapper, cobia, tuskfish, and Moses perch in the 30-50m depths. A slight southern current, with water temperatures around 21 degrees, has created ideal fishing conditions.

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

Snapper, cobia, pearl perch, and gold band snapper have been reported at North Reef, along with scarlet sea perch and Maori cod. Double Island is producing red emperor, and Sunshine Reef has seen some coral trout on a few trips.

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

Maroochydore

Flathead have been in the middle and upper reaches this week, with some good mud crabs starting to show up in the middle reaches. Bream, trevally, and whiting have been active at the Cod Hole.

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

Mooloolaba

Offshore, Caloundra Wide is producing pearl perch and snapper, while the Hards are seeing good numbers of trag jew and some nice tuskfish. Closer to shore, there are still reports of school mackerel around the inshore reefs. On the beaches, it’s been relatively quiet, but quality flathead have been caught throughout the canal system and the Mooloolah River. Additionally, some nice mangrove jacks have been hooked around the Parrearra Canal.

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

Snapper, pearl perch, tuskfish, hussar, and gold band snapper are being landed at the Hards, while cobia, amberjack, and cod are showing up halfway to the Barwon Banks.

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

Caloundra

Whiting are being caught throughout the passage and around the mouths of Bells and Coochin Creeks. Flathead and grunter are also in these areas. In the surf gutters, dart, whiting, and tarwhine are biting, with beach worms proving effective. Offshore, school mackerel are being landed on the 5 Mile, while snapper and pearl perch are coming from the 12 Mile reefs. Mangrove jacks have been active in the canals during the early morning, with surface lures or live herring being the best options.

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

Mackerel have been spotted out the front of Bribie at Woorim. Bream and flathead are active in the Bellara Passage, while whiting are being caught at Red Beach on live bloodworms, available at Gateway Bribie Adventures—be quick as they sell out fast. Sand crabs can be found in the passage from Red Beach all the way down to Banksia, and there have been some mud crabs up in Ningi Creek.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

Summer whiting are being caught at the mouths of both the Pine and Caboolture rivers, with flathead best targeted on the runout tide. The warmer weather is bringing out the mangrove jacks, so it’s worth checking the Pumicestone Passage creeks or heading up the Caboolture River. Look for jacks around structures like bridge pylons, jetties, and rock walls.

Scarborough Reef is producing snapper and grunter, while Cape Moreton is seeing snapper, pearl perch, and some impressive kingfish on the wrecks around the 130m depth mark.

Though crabs have been quiet, the fresh runoff from recent rain could make this weekend ideal for setting the pots.

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

Sandgate

Great snapper have been caught in Moreton Bay this week, including a notable 7.5 kg, 90 cm specimen landed over the weekend (see photo below). Another impressive snapper just under the 1-meter mark was also caught in the bay, with local bait enticing that monster (see photo below).

From Scarborough to Nudgee, anglers are reporting plenty of local bream and flathead. A mix of lures and fresh bait has proven effective, and for those fishing with kids, using prawns, preserved beach worms, and small hooks can keep them entertained.

Additionally, there have been reports of sizable dolphin fish caught while venturing into the deeper waters off Moreton Island (see photo below).

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

Brisbane River – Northern Moreton Bay

Flathead, bream, and snapper have been active in the lower reaches from the Gateway to the mouth, especially around the rock walls. Soft plastics are working well on the flathead, but bait has been the winner this week for jewfish and threadfin at night, and snapper during the day and dusk. Squire, flathead, and small jewfish are being caught during the day. Crabs are being found around Boat Passage, Fisherman’s Island, and the lower reaches of the Brisbane River. Mud Island has produced good squire and grassy sweetlip on both the western and eastern sides, while Green Island’s eastern side and Wellington Point are also worth trying for grassy and squire.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Snapper and pearl perch at the 29s, along with good catches of kingfish and coral trout out from Tempest.

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

Report pending

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

Along the waterfront, the Manly rock wall, and Wynnum Jetty, flathead and bream have been biting well. Whiting are being caught in Fisherman’s Gutters and Rous Channel. Snapper are around Green and Peel Islands, while school mackerel are scattered throughout the bay, though it’s been a bit tougher to land one this week. Mud crabs are active up around Wynnum North.

Water Tower Bait & Tackle
Ph(07) 3396 1833

Redland Bay

Snapper are being caught at West Peel Artificial and Harris Atkins Artificial Reef. Land-based anglers at Amity Point are reporting catches of tuskfish, jewfish, and pelagic species. Beach fishing on Stradbroke Island has produced jewfish, bream, flathead, and some sizable tailor for those who can find them.

Whiting are active at Rous Channel and the mouth of the Logan River. The Squire Patch and Deep Tempest are also yielding kingfish, snapper, and pearl perch. While there are many female crabs around at the moment, an increase in overall crab numbers is expected soon.

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

Jumpinpin

Tailor have still been biting hard around the Pin, with consistent catches of whiting, flathead, and bream. Bigger jewfish have been getting caught closer to the bar in the clearer and deeper waters.

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

There has been plenty of flathead across from Tabby Tabby Island and in Cobby Passage, Kalinga Bank, and the top of Crusoe Island. Whiting are on the bite in Fisherman’s Channel, Pig Styes, and Ageston Sands. Bream are being caught at the dead trees at the bottom of North Straddie, Cobby Rocks, and Rocky Point.

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

South Stradbroke Island

Mulloway have been caught in the Gold Coast Seaway, spangled emperor, and flathead at Crusoe Island, with sand crabs in Tipplers Passage. Whiting are biting in Coombabah Creek, and flathead are around Crab Island, while sand crabs have also been found off the Grand Hotel.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

What a time of year for fishing! There have been great catches from everyone heading out. Flathead continue to be caught, with a lot of big fish mixed in. Is it just me, or does it seem like everyone is catching flathead over 80cm? Plastics are the obvious choice, with pearl/white and motor oil colors doing well. Don’t be afraid to try different colors, as most will catch fish on different days. With the water warming up, surface lures are worth a shot for flathead. Poppers, pencils, stick baits, and bent minnows will all work. Stealth, long casts, and covering the entire sandbank are key.

Jewfish are being caught in great numbers at the Pin Bar and Seaway. Sounding around to locate bait schools is the best way to find them. Plastics and vibes cast up current of the bait schools and slowly worked back will give you a great chance. For bait fishers, live pike is hard to beat.

Whiting are everywhere at the moment, with reports of catches coming from the sides of deeper channels out the front of Runaway Bay and Crab Island on the low tide. The Coomera River is still producing in both arms towards the mouth, and the Nerang River is fishing well from the council chambers down, especially at night. Even the flats are providing great numbers! With bigger tides this weekend, wading the flats with yabbies will be a great option.

David McDonald
Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

Out on the 50-fathom reefs, there’s been a solid run of kingfish, Samson fish, and amberjack. Anglers are doing well with live baiting and jigging techniques. In the same area (around 85 to 100 meters of water), there’s been good catches of pearl perch (pearlies) and snapper. Moving in closer to the 24- and 36-fathom marks, the snapper bite has been on fire, along with some nice pearl perch and parrotfish.

In the shallower grounds of 18 and 12 fathoms, silver jewfish (mulloway) have been showing up, as well as some impressive cobia – with fish reaching up to 35 kilos. There’s also been plenty of longtail tuna still around. Tailor have been active on all the offshore reefs as that’s what the cobia have been feeding on. Along the beaches, there have been a few straggling tailor and some nice flathead caught in the low tide gutters.

In the estuaries, there’s been lots of smaller queenfish, a few big eye trevally, and some flathead. Inside the Broadwater, flathead, bream and whiting have been making up the bulk of the catches. Additionally, the recent rain has pushed some fresh water through the system, bringing more crabs on the move – both sand crabs and mud crabs are being caught. Further up the rivers, mud crabs have been more prevalent, along with some mangrove jacks around the bridge pylons. In the upper reaches of the rivers, such as the Coomera and Nerang, bass fishing has been good.

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

Some excellent snapper catches on the 18s and 24s, with one measuring 85cm being the standout (Picture below). There’s been a busy trag bite on the 26s, and cobia, tuskfish, and reef flathead are also in the mix. Longtail tuna have thinned out, but the odd one is still showing up among the mack tuna.

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

Tweed Coast

With the dirty water, mangrove jacks are hanging around any rock wall or bridge pylon. Find the herring, and you’ll likely find the jacks. Mud crabs are everywhere, especially in the upper reaches of the river, with hotspots around Seagulls, Tumbulgum, and behind the airport. Offshore, tailor are being caught along the headlands, while school jewfish are biting in the river. Out wide, yellowfin tuna are showing up, along with little black marlins and longtail tuna.

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

Brunswick Heads

The wide reefs are producing quality kingfish, with some snapper in the mix. Closer to shore, local reefs are yielding snapper, jewfish, and a variety of reef species. Along the breakwalls and beaches, there are small numbers of bream, dart, flathead, tailor, trevally, and jewfish being caught. While river fishing has been quieter, there are still opportunities for blackfish, bream, whiting, and flathead. Mangrove jacks have been particularly active, with about a dozen caught and released throughout the week. Mud crabs are still around following the rain, though numbers remain low.

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

Ballina

The offshore fishing has been fairly good early this week, but a strong southerly front is pushing the swell up for the weekend. Some quality snapper, flathead, and mulloway have been landed on the 32s earlier in the week, with mullet and squid being the best bait options. A reasonable number of yellowfin tuna are also being caught on skirted and hard-body lures trolled in 300-800 meters of water. While it’s early in the season, a few XL mahi-mahi have been landed using similar lures to those used for tuna.

Back in the river, the night tides have produced some mud crabs in the main river and North Creek. The better numbers of flathead have been found between the ferry and Wardell Bridge. The run-in tides have been more productive, especially with prawns, pilchards, and blades or vibes. Bream have been showing plenty of interest in mullet and squid, as well as lightly weighted curl-tail plastics. Buzz baits, fizzers, and spinnerbaits have tempted a number of bass this week, with the section of the river between Swan Bay and Coraki worth trying over the weekend.

The beaches have been a little quiet this week, with only a few bream, dart, and tailor coming from Skennar, Shelley’s, and Patch’s Beach.

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

Evans Head

Airforce Beach has been producing jewfish during the morning and evening, while bream, flathead, and some summer whiting have been caught throughout the day. In the lower reaches from the mouth to Evans Head Bridge, bream and flathead are common, with the occasional whiting and trevally mixed in as well. Upstream, mud crabs have been spotted and are expected to become more active this weekend.

Chaos Reef has seen good catches of teraglin, snapper, and out near the FADs, kingfish and pearl perch have been reported. The 44s have been productive with yellowfin tuna being caught as well.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Kurwongbah Dam

Lake Kurwongbah has produced some great bass catches recently, with trolling chatterbaits proving to be highly effective.

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

Moogerah Dam

Things have picked up again, with some good 50 cm bass caught in the usual spots. On the flats and around timber, slow-rolling soft plastics with a heavier jig head (5/8 oz) or using metal spoons in the 20 to 30-gram range (even up to 40 grams) has been effective. Cast them out wide and roll them along the bottom where you see the schools of fish. If that doesn’t work (which is unlikely), try the edges in the early morning using lipless crankbaits and crankbaits.

Hinze Dam

The Saratoga have become more active with the warmer weather. The recent influx of dirty water has stirred up the insects, making topwater lures a great choice. Try using small poppers or creature baits, and if you’re opting for spinnerbaits, go for compact ones around 1/4 oz. Cast near the trees in the backs of bays, let the bait sink for a few seconds, and then slow-roll it out.

North Pine Dam

North Pine Dam is fishing well. Bass are being caught on lipless crankbaits, spoons, and crankbaits in deeper water – around the 20-foot mark where they’re schooling up. If you’re fishing from the bank, you can catch them on metal spoons in the 20 to 30-gram range as well.

Wivenhoe

The fishing in the main basin has been great lately, with plenty of bass schooling up. For the next couple of weeks, it looks like a spoon bite is the way to go. I recommend using metal spoons in the 20 to 30-gram range. Look for those fish in deeper water and cast the spoon over the top of the school, reeling it back steadily. That’s likely going to be the most effective way to catch bass right now. You can also try a heavy soft plastic with a 5/8 or half-ounce jig head, using a slow roll along the bottom where the fish are located.

If you’re not having any luck with those tactics, move towards the edges of the basin. Bass are still hanging around there, and you can target them with Jackall TN60 lipless crankbaits or deep-diving crankbaits that run 3 to 4 meters deep along the rocky cliffs. These should help you land bass along the edges.

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