Fishing Report for 18th September 2025

Fishing Report Thu 18 Sep 2025

Hervey Bay / Fraser Island

At Urangan Pier, Bluefin and Mack Tuna up to 20 kilograms are being landed, along with Broadbar Mackerel reaching around 40 kilograms. There are plenty of Herring about, though they are smaller than usual. Bream numbers are starting to thin, and undersized Jewfish have been taking baits. Pencil Squid are also showing at the pier, with a few School Mackerel mixed in among the Broadbar.

Inshore reefs are holding Queenfish, Golden Trevally, and Snapper, with plenty of whales still about. The Mary system is producing Broadbar Mackeral and School Mackerel.

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

Tin Can Bay

The Bay has been fishing well with water temps climbing to 23°C, which has fired everything up. Longtail Tuna are active from WBB through to Poona, taking casting metals like Halco Twisties and Todd Ignitions in the 15–30g range. For fly anglers, a white 1/0 Clouser has been working. Around Inskip and down the beach, Spanish Mackerel are being caught on live Tailor off the beach, while trolling hardbodies around the barge landing and Big Mick is producing Spanish and Broadbar Mackerel.

The creeks are firing with some solid Mangrove Jack being caught. Early morning surface sessions with frogs are producing strikes, and skip-casting 4–5 inch paddle tails deep in the mangroves is drawing reaction bites. Flathead are in good numbers, with fish in the high 60s and early 70cm range landed over the past week. The flats around Ida and Cockatoo Islands are holding good Whiting, with average sizes in the low 30s.

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

Noosa

At North Reef and Chardons, there are plenty of fish with good conditions and light currents. Anglers are catching Trout, Snapper, Pearl Perch, Parrot, Cod, Amberjack, Cobia, and Moses Perch around the 45 to 60-metre mark. The weather is expected to stay favourable all week.

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

Dolphinfish and Cobia are starting to show as the water warms, while Snapper and Pearl Perch remain in good size and numbers. Eskies are being filled with Tuskfish, Moses Perch, Goldband Snapper, Kind fish, and Sweetlip. There are still plenty of whales about as an added bonus.

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

Flathead and Whiting averaging around 40cms are active around the river mouth, with prawns working well for bait. Trevally are being caught at Tewantin, and Sooty Grunter are showing around the bend. Lake Cooroibah is producing great-sized Mud and Sand Crabs, along with some Black Jewfish near the bend before the lake by the car ferry.

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

Flathead are fishing well in the Woods, with some Golden Trevally also showing. Whiting and Bream are active in the Frying Pan, and small Mangrove Jack are appearing at the Sound.

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

Maroochydore

Fish have been just about everywhere. Queenfish, Giant Trevally, and Bigeye Trevally are active at the Cod Hole, Whiting and Flathead are being caught downstream of Chambers Island, and Bream are showing throughout the area.

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

Mooloolaba

In the Mooloolah River near the mouth, Flathead and Bream are being caught, with Whiting showing both upstream and downstream. In the Maroochy River around Chambers Island, Whiting and Flathead are active. Offshore, Murphy’s Reef is producing Snapper, Moses Perch, and Grassy Sweetlip, while the Barwon Banks has Longtail Tuna and some Spanish Mackerel. At Caloundra Wide, Pearl Perch and Snapper are coming from around 60 metres of water and along the beaches, Whiting and Flathead are fishing well along the Kawana stretch.

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/

Fishing further offshore has been more successful, while inshore has been a bit scarce. The best reports are coming from around the 12 Mile and Caloundra Wide, with Snapper, Mackerel, and Sweetlip around the 5 Mile. Inshore, numbers have been good from the passage mouth areas through to Coochin Creek and beyond. Flathead are fishing well, while Mangrove Jack have been a bit slow, though numbers are expected to pick up as the water warms. Whiting, Dart, and a few Tailor are showing on the beaches, but Tailor remain scarce. The canals are seeing plenty of fat Flathead throughout.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

In the Pine River, Flathead are being caught near the mouth, and Whiting are taking bait at the start of the run-out. Bream remain a little thin but are starting to move back into the system. The mangroves are holding plenty of Trevally, Queenfish, and Tailor, with some still caught on topwater. In the Caboolture River, Mangrove Jack, Threadfin, and Flathead are active near the mouth, along with a few Grunter. The Passage is starting to see Mangrove Jack appear through the canals, while Flathead and Whiting are working the flats at Ningi Creek and Donnybrook. Wrigglers have been productive for Whiting in these areas.

Offshore, Snapper continue to bite, with a mix of average sizes and a few larger fish. Small school Mackerel and Spotty Mackerel have been around the jetties at Sandgate. The Beacons are shaping up to be a good spot for Mackerel as well using live baits or jigs. Hutchies reef offshore are fishing well, with some Wahoo, Snapper, and occasional Perch.

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

Sandgate/Shorncliffe Pier

Pending

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

Brisbane River

Offshore, Pearl Perch, Snapper, and Tuskfish are being caught around the 35s and Point Lookout. Inshore, school Mackerel have spread out but are active on the north and east sides of Mud Island, along the shipping lane, Measured Mile, Wellington Point, and Green Island, even out from Manly in line with King Island.

A few Snapper are being caught around Mud Island and the eastern side of Green Island. The river has been hit and miss, with Jewfish showing at night in the port, and Snapper taking cuttlefish on the rock wall at night, producing good fish in the 50 to 60-centimetre range. Mud Crabs are quiet, though there is potential for the return of Sand Crabs with the upcoming moon.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Snapper remain the dominant species and are being caught in strong numbers, including an 83-centimetre fish recently landed. Fishing 70 metres east of South Passage Bar is also producing a few Tuskfish and Pearl Perch.

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

Snapper, Grunter, Tailor, Bream, Whiting, Flathead, school Mackerel, and school Jew are being caught in Hayes, the Pine, Bramble Bay, and off Woody Point Jetty. Yellowfin Whiting are active in Hayes and around structure in Bramble Bay, with a few on Margate Beach.

North of Scarborough, in Deception Bay, and Bramble Bay, Snapper, Flathead, Tailor, school Mackerel, and school Jew remain active. Along the Eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshore areas, Snapper, Tailor, Flathead, Bream, school Mackerel, and school Jew continue to be caught. Grunter are being found on the northern inshore reefs and around Scarborough and Bramble Bay. Redcliffe Kitefest is on this weekend, and the Pelican Park boat ramp will remain open.

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

School Mackerel are being caught along the Manly rock wall. Snapper are coming from Green Island and the Harry Atkins Artificial Reef. Whiting are active in the Rouse channel and the Small Ship Channel on the Maroon Bank side, as well as around the Darcy Light area, the Blue Hole, and the Sand Hills, provided the tides are fished correctly.

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

School Mackeral have been in the Rainbow Channel, and Tailor are showing at Cleveland Point around the top of the tide. Whiting are active at the Sand Hills, and Bream are being caught in the Burtdale canals. A few Mangrove Jack are appearing in the Raby Bay canals, while Snapper are being caught at the Harry Atkins Artificial Reef.

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

Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin

Moreton Bay has been fishing well, particularly in the southern bay, and should only improve over the weekend leading into the moon as current flow increases. Good-sized Squire and Snapper are being caught around both North and South Peel, as well as off North Stradbroke near the bar. The drop-off ledge in front of Raby Bay boat ramp and Wellington Point in five metres of water has also been producing solid fish on lightly weighted plastics.

Further south, school-sized Jewfish and Tailor are active around the Salt Works, along with plenty of Flathead on the low tide around Garden, Long, and the top of Russell Island. Threadfin Salmon are also holding along the drop-off edges in these areas.

Jumpinpin is firing, with big Jewfish and large Flathead in deeper water, particularly in the 7 to 13-metre range where they are spawning. Large plastics on heavy jig heads are working well. Tailor are turning up sporadically, often busting up when northerly or westerly winds push the bait in.

Around Tipplers, Jacobs Well, and back through Cabbage Tree Point, the water has stayed clean and Flathead are fishing well. With the prawn run finished and whitebait now moving through, baitfish imitations are producing strongly, often picking up Trevally in the mix. It’s a good time to work the bait edges, with plenty of fish to be caught heading into the weekend.

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

Jumpinpin

Whiting and Flathead are fishing well around Kalinga Bank and the bottom end of North Stradbroke. Bream and Squire are being caught at Rocky Point, Cobby Rocks, and the Five Ways. Tailor are active in the mornings from the bar through to Crusoe Island and around Cabbage Tree.

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

Flathead fishing has been excellent this week, with average catches sitting around 50 to 60 centimetres and some stretching well past 80 centimetres. A range of presentations have been working, with MyLureBox soft glides standing out as a favourite. Whiting are also out in strong numbers, with many anglers reporting bags of up to 20 fish, most between 27 and 33 centimetres. Live bloodworms and yabbies remain the best baits, with small to medium yabbies improving hookup rates. Size 4–6 bait keeper or long-shank hooks work well, paired with a sinker heavy enough to hold the bait in place or allow a slow drift across the flats depending on conditions. Tailor have slowed down, but larger fish at the back end of the season are still biting. Jewfish are active in good numbers, and a few Threadfin are also about.

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

South Stradbroke Island

Some good-sized Snapper are being caught in the Seaway at the moment. Mangrove Jack are showing up around the canal systems of Paradise Point, while Tailor are still taking baits in the deeper channels of the Broadwater. Flounder are active in the shallows around Crab Island, and Squid are being jigged near high tide around SeaWorld.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

It’s the best time of the year for fishing, with so many species in full swing. Whiting are everywhere, from the lower sections of the Coomera, Nerang, and Pimpama rivers to the banks in the Broadwater. If I’m fishing up the rivers, I prefer fishing for them with worms, but wading the banks, yabbies work a treat. Flathead are along most banks, with dozens of fishers targeting them before the Flathead Classic. Areas like the Seaway rock walls, around the bottom end of South Stradbroke, Crab Island, the mouth of the Coomera, Browns Bay, and the Aldershots all produced fish this week.

There could be squid in the morning, with the bigger high tides pushing in early. Sand crabs have been caught in the channels out the front of Sovereign Island and the eastern side of Crab Island; just beware of the amount of weed clogging up your pots, so check them accordingly. The offshore guys have been having a field day, with great catches of snapper at the 36s last week. Cobia were caught closer around the 24s, and some monster wahoo came in up to 1.6m from the area east of the Pin.

David McDonald
Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

Gold Coast fishing has been strong over the past five days on half-day charters. Kingfish, Cobia, Snapper, Longtail Tuna, Tusk Fish, Moses Perch, Teraglin, Tailor, and more have been caught using all methods, from float lines to bottom droppers and live bait, all within 10kms offshore. Spring school holidays start this weekend, and the weather looks good from Monday

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

Offshore on the shelf, trolling is producing plenty of Yellowfin Tuna and some Striped Marlin while around the 70 to 90-metre range, medium-sized Snapper, Pearl Perch, Amberjack, and Yellowtail Kingfish are very active, with Snapper running hot around the 36s and 24th, including some larger catches of Parrotfish, Pearl Perch, and Cod. Cobia remain present, including some larger Silver Jew, and Spanish Mackerel are still showing.

On the beaches, Tailor of good size have been consistent, particularly around South Stradbroke. Flathead are moving well throughout the system, from Jumpinpin down to the Seaway. Squid are still around, and rivers are seeing plenty of Garfish. Mangrove Jack, Trevally, and Estuary Cod are starting to appear in the rivers. Fishing around the Broadwater and the canals feeding into it at the entrances are producing results across a range of species which are ideal for the kids this school holidays.

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

Tweed Coast

Fishing on the 30s early in the week produced Snapper, Flathead, Maori Cod, Tuskfish, and Pearl Perch until the northerly wind picked up on Tuesday.

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

On the build-up to the new moon, Flathead are active in the upper reaches of the river along with Whiting. Australian Bass have started to appear further up the rivers, and Mangrove Jack are showing around the rock walls and mangroves.

Along the headlands from Burleigh to Byron, Longtail Tuna are being caught, while Tailor, Whiting, and Flathead are spread along the beaches. Offshore, Snapper are in good numbers with a couple of Spanish Mackerel taking hard-body lures. Wide off Tweed Heads, Blue Marlin are about with the potential for Sailfish as well.

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

Brunswick Heads

Fishing has been a one-horse race between land-based anglers and deep-sea crews, with the deep-sea section taking the lead. Offshore, Snapper, Pearl Perch, Trag, Jewfish, and Kingfish are coming off the 50s. Rock and beach fishing has been slow until yesterday, when Dart, Whiting, Bream, Tarwhine, and Flathead started showing. The river is beginning to fire as well, with Bream, school Jew, Flathead, and Blackfish being caught, along with a few Mud Crabs.

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

Ballina

Strong winds and a little more rain are expected early in the weekend, which may make conditions uncomfortable and a bit rough offshore. Close reefs have been producing quality Snapper, with some up to 8 kilograms. Lightly weighted soft plastics and pilchards have accounted for most of the better fish. Warmer conditions have also seen an increase in Mulloway on these reefs.

Further offshore, Snapper, Flathead, Kingfish, and small Amberjack are still being caught. The current remains inconsistent, so be prepared for a variety of options. A few Yellowfin Tuna have been landed wide of the shelf, mostly on skirted or bibbed lures, with some taken on stick baits.

In the river, run-in tides are producing reasonable numbers of Bream and Luderick. Flathead are moving toward the river mouth, with more fish showing from the ferry to the mouth. Prawns, pilchards, and smaller paddle-tail plastics have been working well. Mulloway remain quiet apart from a few school-sized fish around the break walls.

The larger tides this weekend should see some Mud Crabs moving in North Creek and the main river. Beaches have been quiet, though a few Bream, Tarwhine, and Flathead have taken mullet, Bonito, or pilchards.

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

Evans Head

Offshore at Chaos Reef, Snapper and Trag are fishing well. Tailor and Jewfish are worth targeting in the mornings and evenings around Airforce Beach and Main Beach. During the day, Dart, Bream, Flathead, and occasional Whiting are being caught. Along the North and South break walls, Flathead, Bream, and Luderick remain active. Further upstream, Whiting are taking bait, and some Mud Crabs are being found.

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

Yamba

The usual bread-and-butter species have really filled the rivers, and the fishing has been excellent. Flathead are starting to move up onto the flats, and outside has been producing big Snapper, Longtail Tuna, Pearl Perch, and Jewfish. The rock walls have fished well with several Jewfish caught, including a standout measuring 95cms (Photo below). The rivers have cleared up and the bite has been fantastic across the board. Blackfish have been thick, and the Tailor are beginning to show.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Kerwongbah Dam/ North Pine Dam

Kerwongbah Dam has been producing Bass in the afternoons, particularly around the points, while North Pine Dam has Bass taking spoons and Saratoga along the edges.

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