Fishing Report for 18th December 2025

Fishing Report Thu 18 Dec 2025

Hervey Bay / Fraser Island

Fraser Island beachside fishing has been quiet, with very few Tailor reported along the beachfront. Whiting, Dart and Flathead have been caught, with the main reports coming from Indian Head through to Waddy Point. At Indian Head, Tuna have been taken from the rocks, and around Waddy Point Tuna have also been pushing in close, which has been encouraging.

Inside the bay from Rooneys through to Wathumba and wider, small juvenile Black Marlin have been showing up. Trolling skirts at around 6 to 8 knots has been the most productive approach. There have also been plenty of Spotted Mackerel throughout the bay, which has been a surprise.

Longtail Tuna, Mack Tuna, Spanish Mackerel and some solid sized Cobia have all been reported, with fish spread from Rooney Point and Wathumba through to the gutters. Good sized Coral Trout have also been taken from the gutters and inside the bay.

Around Big Woody and down through the straits, anglers have been finding plenty of Grassy Sweetlip, along with Cod, Golden Trevally and good sized Queenfish. Threadfin Salmon have been showing in good numbers in the smaller creeks and through the straits, along with Grunter and Flathead.

The piers have been fishing well, with plenty of bait holding around them. Tuna and Mack Tuna have been taken off the piers while feeding on small Herring. Flathead and Whiting have also been caught, along with the odd small Mulloway still showing up.

Along the Torquay beaches and nearby inshore areas, Whiting numbers have been reasonable, although most fish have been on the smaller side, with anglers picking up a handful for a feed rather than big numbers. Burrum Heads has been fishing well for Mangrove Jack and Flathead.

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

Tin Can Bay

Reports indicate plenty of Mud Crabs moving through the system, so pots are well worth setting. The flats up the back of the bay have been a bit of a hotspot, along with Carlo, Teebar and Snapper Creek. Big fresh baits and allowing plenty of soak time should see a good feed taken.

Mangrove Jack numbers remain strong and have been keeping anglers busy. Small live baits and strips of Mullet have been working well for bait anglers. Lure anglers have been finding success on 60 to 80mm Jerkbaits that dive to around 2.5 to 4 metres, along with 4 to 5 inch Soft Plastics. The twilight surface bite has also been worth a look, with Frogs and walk the dog style surface lures producing strikes.

Whiting have been holding in good numbers around Ida Island and Pannikin Island, with some solid catches coming from Dinnies on the high tide using Yabbies.

Flathead have been active on the run out tide, particularly along the edges of the flats as the water drains. Soft Plastics in the 3 to 4 inch range and shallow diving Hardbodies around 100mm have been getting results.

Anglers heading offshore early and returning before the wind picks up have been doing reasonably well just past the shark nets out the front of Rainbow, with Snapper featuring in the catches.

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

Noosa

There are still plenty of Snapper, Pearl Perch, Tuskfish and Amberjack holding out on the banks. North Reef has been producing Cobia, Snapper and Pearl Perch. Mackerel should not be far off with plenty of whitebait around, and after the recent decent rain the close reefs are expected to fish better as well.

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

Fishing has been a bit slower over the past week, but there have still been good numbers of Moses Perch and Estuary Cod on the chew. The odd quality Flathead has also been reported around the river mouth and through Woods Bay.

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

Fishing has mainly been focused close to Noosa this week, with anglers catching some nice Snapper, Sweetlip, Yellowtail Kingfish, Purple Cod, Moses Perch and Spotted Mackerel.

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

Good catches of Flathead have been reported from Noosaville down to the river mouth. Bream have been spread right through the system, from the mouth all the way up to Lake Cooroibah. Woods Bay has been a solid option for Trevally and Bream, with the Tewantin Reach also producing. Makepeace Island has been fishing well for Whiting and Bream, and areas near the cable ferries have been worth a look. Even the stretch between the two lakes has been producing fish if you want to escape the crowds. Prawns have been the best bait overall, but for Whiting try worms which, have also been working, and pumping Yabbies has been a very effective option.

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

Maroochydore

Bream have been spread right through the system, with Whiting holding down around the river mouth. Jewfish have been taken from under the bridge, particularly around the deeper structure and eddies.

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

Mooloolaba

In close around the Outer Gneerings there have been the odd Mackerel taken on slowly trolled baits, along with Grassy Sweetlip on the closer reefs. Dolphinfish have been showing up around the FADs. Along the beaches it has been a bit too rough for consistent fishing, limiting opportunities there.

In the rivers, anglers have still been finding quality Mangrove Jack through the lower systems, holding tight to structure. Mud Crabs have started to move downriver, concentrating in the deeper holes as conditions change.

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

Caloundra

Fishing has been focused inshore this week due to the weather. Live baiting in the shallows produced the best results, with fewer fish overall but very good quality. Cobia, Snapper and Cod were landed. Baitfish numbers are building, so Spotted Mackerel are expected to show up soon.

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

A strong late run of Squid and Snapper has been reported out from Point Arkwright, right through most of the reefs from Caloundra to Coolum. Spotted Mackerel have been slowly turning up, with Spanish Mackerel also starting to appear.

Mangrove Jack numbers have improved, with fish responding well to both lures and live bait. In the Passage, Whiting are being caught along with some Mud Crabs, and there have been the odd decent Flathead and Trevally coming from the canals. Along the beaches, anglers are finding Whiting, Bream, Dart and Flathead.

Offshore fishing has produced Sweetlip and Snapper, with the late arrival of Spotted Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel and School Mackerel finally starting to show around 2 months late.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

Around the top of the tide at the mouth of the Pine river, there have still been a few good Flathead showing up, along with some Bream holding around the pylons, particularly around the Hornibrook Bridge. The mouth of the Caboolture sand flats have been producing consistent Flathead, with Grunter and Snapper also reported from Scarborough Reef on Soft Plastics.

There have been the occasional School Mackerel around the beacons in Moreton Bay, mainly scattered, so it has been a case of sounding around until fish are located. Overall it has been fairly quiet out wide, but there have been a few Snapper taken on the artificial reefs through Moreton Bay.

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

Sandgate/Shorncliffe Pier

It has been a tough week overall, but there have still been some quality fish landed, so anglers should not feel too disappointed if results were a bit lean.

A solid Trevally was landed from Shorncliffe Pier after a hard fight, showing there are still good fish around for those putting in the time. Woody Point Jetty and Shorncliffe Pier also produced a couple of nice Bream, averaging around 32 to 33 centimetres, which are very respectable fish on light gear.

The standout Flathead came from the canals, with a cracking 62 centimetre fish landed and put to good use. Another quality Flathead followed close behind at 57 centimetres, proving the canals are still worth working.

Shorncliffe Pier rounded things out with another good Bream at 32 cm, taken on Bream Bites, showing the pier is still producing despite the tougher conditions.

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

Brisbane River

Pending

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Snapper and Tuskfish have been caught in reasonable numbers east of Moreton Island. The current has been strong on some days, making conditions close to unfishable at times. Tuna have been taken while trolling.

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

Bottom fishing has been tough lately, so the focus has shifted to surface action and pelagic species. There have been plenty of Tuna around, including some good eating Albacore and Striped Tuna, with Mac Tuna in thick numbers. Baitfish activity has been widespread, and changing up trolling spreads has been the go while waiting for Mackerel and Wahoo to start showing.

For anglers who enjoy throwing slugs or trolling, this has been the time to get into it, with fast moving fish providing plenty of hard fights on light to medium gear.

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

School Jewfish, Grunter and Cobia have been caught off the jetties and across the inshore grounds. Mangrove Jack have been active through the Pine River and the canal systems.

Yellowfin Whiting have been reported from Hayes Inlet, the Pine River, Bramble Bay, off Margate Beach and around Scarborough. Grunter have also been consistent through Hayes Inlet and the Pine, as well as on the inshore reefs and in the canals.

Bream, Snapper and Grassy Sweetlip have been coming from the jetties and the inshore reefs. Flathead have been caught through the Pine River, Hayes Inlet, Bramble Bay and Deception Bay. Mud Crabs are present through the rivers and creeks.

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

School Mackerel have been around Peel Island and Amity Banks, mainly holding in the deeper channels. Whiting have been coming from Amity Banks, the Maroon Channel and Chain Banks. Tiger Squid have been reported around Amity, while Squire and some decent Snapper have been caught around Mud Island and Harries Reef.

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

Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin

Moreton Bay has been seeing plenty of time on the water recently and it is still fishing very well. That is expected to continue into the weekend, particularly early in the morning before the wind gets up. The bigger new moon tides have been a big factor, with increased current bringing more bait and more active fish.

Fish have been holding around the Raby Bay and Cleveland drop off, where the depth falls from three to four metres into five to six metres, particularly around the rubble patches. Peel Island has been fishing very well across the board, with the key being to find bait along the reef edges. Where bait has been present, there have been some very good sized Squire and strong numbers of Sweetlip, with sessions producing more than ten fish.

The northern side of Coochiemudlo Island has also been producing along the reef edges, especially for Sweetlip. There has not been a lot reported around Macleay Island itself, but Garden and Lamb Islands have still been holding plenty of Flathead across the shallow flats, particularly on the run out tide. Some good schools of Jewfish, Threadfin Salmon and Tailor have been turning up, and there have been small schools of prawns showing around Macleay Island, which may be contributing to fish schooling up.

Jumpinpin has been fishing very well, with clean water pushing through thanks to consistent southerly winds. There are still plenty of Jewfish around the Pin Bar, Crusoe Island and the Slipping Sands area. Finding the deeper pockets and holes has been important, with fish really firing when the current slows and bait starts to congregate. A few good sized Flathead have also been taken from the deeper sections while targeting Jewfish.

Further south, areas like Gold Bank and the lagoons on South Stradbroke Island have been holding good sized Flathead, particularly around the low tide. Jacobs Well Channel, the Bedrooms and Tipplers Channel have all been fishing well. On the run back toward the boat ramps, provided the water stays clean despite the bigger tides, there have been plenty of fish around, including Threadfin Salmon. A couple of Threadfin were even caught close to the pontoon near the Jacobs Well boat ramp this week, showing they are holding right through those areas.

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

Jumpinpin

Pending

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

Threadfin Salmon numbers have been strong lately, with plenty of quality fish caught over the 10 kg mark. Sharks have been causing issues, with the Jumpinpin sharks actively targeting distressed Threadfin. Fish have been taken further toward the bar than usual, likely due to the recent dirty water.

Flathead fishing has been solid, with a few oversize fish caught between Jacobs Well and the Intersection. Mud Crabs are around in good numbers, with bucks in strong condition and good size. Mangrove Jack are well and truly firing, with plenty of good fish landed and plenty of lost gear reported along the way.

Some schools of Tailor are still moving through, with results very hit and miss. Anglers have either found themselves bagging out or missing out completely. The standout area has been the northern tip of South Stradbroke Island. Whiting have been fair overall, with the better fish coming from Tipplers Passage to the south.

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

South Stradbroke Island

Mangrove Jack have been caught in Coombabah Creek, Flathead around the Never Fail Islands, Tailor in the deeper channels of the Broadwater, and Whiting around the council chambers. Winds have eased, making conditions favourable.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

Looks perfect this weekend and will no doubt be busy on the Broadwater. It will be great conditions early, with the sea breeze picking up in the afternoon.

Big morning high tides will be perfect for chasing mud crabs for Christmas lunch. Put your pots in the shallows across the top of the tide. The Coomera and Pimpama rivers are great places to start, but there are plenty of good areas in between that don’t see as much fishing pressure. Fresh bait is key for better results, and make sure your floats and pots are clearly marked.

Mud crabs will last for days out of the water if handled correctly. Keep them in a cool, dark place and cover them with a hessian bag soaked in saltwater.

While you’re waiting with your pots out, have a crack at whiting. They continue to have a great season and have been caught right through the Broadwater. The flats are normally the better option with the bigger tides, but the rivers have also been producing. They will move up into the shallows on the run-in tide.

Flathead are being caught around the Neverfails, the Aldershots, Browns Bay, and the drains along the Measured Mile. Jacks have been caught along rock walls and bridge pylons in the Nerang and Coomera rivers, as well as around pontoons in the canals.

Beaches will be perfect leading up to Christmas, with gutters holding bream, whiting, dart, and flathead during the day.

David McDonald
Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

Still waiting for the water to warm up and for the Mackerel to properly show, but mixed reef fishing has been filling the gap. Snapper, Trag, Moses Perch, Tuskfish and Reef Sharks have all been caught. There have been plenty of bait balls around, and Mahi Mahi numbers have been increasing on the FADs.

Inshore, Whiting have been a reliable target through the warmer months and have been present in good numbers up the rivers. Live beach worms have been the standout bait, fished on light 4 to 6lb gear and lightly weighted so the bait sits naturally on the bottom.

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

The 36 and 50 fathom grounds have been fishing extremely well, with Snapper in very good numbers and plenty of Pearl Perch still holding in the 50s. There have been some very big Yellowtail Kingfish around, and Mahi Mahi are starting to show as well. In water between roughly 40 and 85 metres there have been reasonable numbers of Marlin, making it worth trolling through those areas. Both Black Marlin and Striped Marlin have been reported, along with some good Dolphinfish mixed in.

In closer, along the reefs, Spanish Mackerel are starting to show, with plenty of Cobia still around. There are also a lot of Sharks in the area at the moment. Inside the Seaway, Whiting have been fishing very well, and the Whiting run has extended onto the beaches, producing some solid Tailor as well.

Back inside the Broadwater there are still good numbers of Whiting and Flathead. Sand Crabs are starting to move, with a few Mud Crabs also being picked up. Mangrove Jack have been active further up the river systems, with areas like Currumbin, Tallebudgera and Nerang all fishing well.

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

Tweed Coast

Live baits are starting to show in good numbers. Mack Tuna and Yellowfin Tuna have been taken while trolling.

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

Beach fishing has been producing Whiting, Dart, Flathead and Bream in strong numbers. The headlands have been fishing well for Tailor, with good bait schools of Bonito and Pilchards pushing in close.

In the rivers, Whiting and Flathead have been fishing well around the moon, particularly at the top of the tide. Mangrove Jack fishing has been very strong, with fish spread right through the systems from bridge pylons to open structure, holding both upriver and downriver. Mud Crabs and Sand Crabs have finally started to move.

Offshore, Spanish Mackerel have arrived, along with Mahi Mahi around the FADs. The 24 and 36 fathom lines have been holding good numbers of Snapper. Marlin have also been moving through, with Little Black Marlin and Striped Marlin showing wider, and the odd Blue Marlin reported further offshore.

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

Brunswick Heads

Deep sea fishing has quietened down a bit, with only a few Snapper being caught. Beach and rock fishing has been fishing well, with plenty of baitfish around and good numbers of Tailor, Trevally, Dart and Bream being caught. The river has been improving each week, producing Mangrove Jack, Trevally, Jewfish, Bream, Flathead and Whiting, along with some Mud Crabs starting to show.

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

Ballina

Rough weather this week has limited offshore opportunities, but conditions are expected to ease later in the week as the wind and swell back off. The current has slowed slightly, making fishing out wide a bit easier than it has been over the past couple of weeks. A few quality Blue Marlin have been caught trolling skirted lures around the 48s, with the occasional Dolphinfish taken as bycatch. The 32s continue to produce Snapper, Flathead and Tuskfish, although most boats have needed to cover plenty of ground to put a feed together.

On the rocks, there have been good numbers of Bonito and Tailor this week. The breakwalls, Flat Rock and The Peg have all been worth a look, with most fish taken on metal spinners in the 20 to 40 gram range. Conditions should also improve later in the week for beach fishing, with Flathead, Bream and Whiting expected to be active.

In the river, tides have been improving as the next moon phase approaches. Crabs have been spotted in North Creek and the main river, along with a few Whiting and Trevally in the same areas. Flathead have been a bit quieter, but Prawns and Pilchards have tempted a few fish on the run in tides early in the morning. School Mulloway and Bream have been caught upriver from Pimlico Island on Squid, Mullet and small Soft Plastics. North Creek and the main river above the ferry have been the best options for Mangrove Jack, with the tides lining up well over the weekend. Emigrant Creek and the main river have also produced some small Bull Sharks this week for those keen to target them.

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

Evans Head

Airforce and Main Beach have been producing Bream, along with the odd School Jewfish and Tailor. Around the river mouth there have been Bream and Luderick reported. The Evans River has been fishing well for Bream, Flathead and Whiting, and the upper reaches are worth a look for Mud Crabs.

Offshore on the close reefs there have been plenty of Snapper and Trag reported. With water temperatures rising, the pelagic fishing is expected to improve over the coming weeks.

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

Yamba

Fishing is starting to pick up, particularly around the river end and just offshore. In the river, anglers have been picking up some decent Flathead, along with Whiting in fair numbers, the fish have generally been on the bigger side, but numbers have not been strong. Upriver has seen Bass and Grunter in reasonable numbers, but Crabs have yet to really show up.

Offshore has been producing better results, with Snapper coming through again along with Pearl Perch. There have also been reports of Dolphinfish on the FADS, not large models but enough to confirm they are there. Plenty of Jewfish have been taken around the wrecks, with schools of Jewfish also reported off the rocks.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Maroon Dam

Maroon Dam is still fishing fairly well, with plenty of smaller fish being caught and good numbers reported. It should only be a matter of time before the bigger fish start showing. Small Soft Plastics have been working in the main basin and along the edges of the weed beds. Chatterbaits are also worth throwing around the edges and through the trees, particularly early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Topwater lures are worth a look near the dam wall along the rocky edges at first light or late in the day, with fish regularly pushing up onto those banks during those periods.

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

Moogerah Dam

Moogerah Dam has been fishing really well, with some quality fish caught last weekend. Chatterbaits have been the standout, with lures like the Hot Bite Spectre and Jackall Chatterbait working well, particularly around the trees and along the edges. Fish are spread right across the dam. Deep diving Crankbaits have also picked up fish, but Chatterbaits are producing in most areas. Soft Plastics are worth throwing along the edges and across the spit in the deeper water, and a TN60 lipless crankbait has also been effective worked along those edges. As the weather warms, fish are moving up shallow early in the morning looking for food, making the edges a strong place to start.

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

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam has been fishing well out of the western arm, with the eastern arm ramp still closed. Good fish have been coming from around Ian’s Islands, upstream from the western ramp. If travelling down toward the dam wall, it is worth checking the deeper water as well as the edges of the trees, where fish are likely to be holding along those edges at this time of year.

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

Hinze Dam has been fishing nicely, with a couple of Saratoga reported. Fly anglers casting cicada style flies have been doing very well, while during the day fish have been holding deeper, where Soft Plastics and metal vibes have been effective. Bass numbers remain strong.

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

North Pine Dam/Kurwongbah

Freshwater reports include Saratoga being caught in North Pine Dam, with Swimbaits working well. Lake Kurwongbah has seen a few Bass taken along the edges.

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

Lake Samsonvale/Kurwongbah

On the north side of town, Lake Samsonvale is fishing well. The larger dam has been producing solid Bass along the edges, with Spinnerbaits and metal spoons doing the job. Crankbaits are also starting to come into play at this time of year as fish begin chasing Redclaw, so Chatterbaits should continue to improve as the season progresses.

Over at Kurwongbah, there have been some good fish reported, including a couple of nice Saratoga caught during the week. Topwater lures have been effective for Saratoga, along with small Spinnerbaits. Bass have been very active, with plenty being caught around the weedy edges on small blades, Chatterbaits and compact Crankbaits.

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

Lake Monduran

Lake Monduran continues to fish extremely well and has been very consistent over the past couple of months. Barramundi have been holding in the main basin in the deeper water, with many anglers relying on LiveScope to locate fish. Trolling Hardbody lures has been the most effective technique, particularly 4 to 5 metre divers such as Rapala, X-Raps and Current Masters. Once fish are located on LiveScope, larger Soft Plastics and Swimbaits in the 6 to 8 inch range have been working well.

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