Fishing Report for 19 September 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).

Hervey Bay/ Fraser Island

The Urangan Pier has been bustling with activity over the past week, with plenty of pelagic species including Mack Tuna, Mackerel, Giant Trevally, Golden Trevally, Queenfish, Flathead, and Whiting. Along the beaches, you’ll catch a healthy meal of Whiting, but for larger sizes, it’s best to fish after dark.

Reef fishing around the gutters in the northern bay area has yielded Squire Snapper, Coral Trout, Nannagai, and Mackerel. There are plenty of Mack Tuna scattered throughout the Bay, with a few School Mackerel inshore around the Southern Bay.

In the Great Sandy Straits, the catch has mainly been Grunter, Flathead, Whiting, Bream, and small Jewfish. The Burrum River system has been the go-to spot for bread-and-butter species like Bream, Flathead, and Whiting, though reports from there were sparse last week. Mangrove Jack are expected to bite well this weekend.

Fraser Island is still seeing a lot of Tailor, mainly in the central area around Happy Valley and Cathedrals, with good quality Dart further north and winding down the Sutherland.

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

Tin Can Bay

Some really good Whiting have been caught in Tin Can Bay, with the big, thick ones showing up at the top of the tide around Ida and Pannikin Islands, described as thick as your wrist. Good-sized Flathead have been around the flats near T-Bar on the runout tide, and also the flats at Ida and Pannikin on the same tide.

Blue Salmon are being caught in Teebah Creek, while Searys creek ledge is fishing well for demersal species such as Cod, small Tuskfish, the odd legal Snapper, and both large and small-mouth Nannygai. There’s also been some very big Queenfish biting at the start of the runout tide, typically found in deeper waters.

Norman Point is producing well at the top of the tide on the flats, with good numbers of Bream, Flathead, and Whiting. Some really nice Golden Trevally have also been caught on this same tide. Around the powerlines, there’s been some nice Whiting getting caught. If you can locate any structure in between the green zones, you’ll likely find small Tuskfish along with some decent Cod hanging around.

The temperature has dropped significantly and hasn’t warmed up yet, so it’s a good time to try strip baits for Mangrove Jacks by casting into the mangroves. Lure fishing, however, has become quite difficult in these cooler conditions. Up the creeks, on the top of the runout tide, there are GTs, Big-Eye Trevally, and Queenfish around the 600mm mark to be found.

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

Noosa

Fishing has been quite productive around the top end of Noosa, especially near Noosa Woods Bay, with regular catches of bream, whiting, and trevally, along with the occasional good-sized flathead. However, fishing down near Lake Weyba has slowed due to the full moon and clear water, making conditions less favorable. Up towards Noosa Heads, the fish have been more active. Crabbing has been better near Tewantin, just behind Makepeace Island, though the fishing in that area hasn’t been as strong, as it’s often one or the other around there.

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

Tailor and Flathead have been active in Woods Bays, while the Frying Pan has seen plenty of Bream and Whiting. Weyba has produced good numbers of Flathead, and Cooroibah has offered some quality catches of Mulloway and Golden Trevally.

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

Fishing at Sunshine Reef has yielded excellent results, with good catches of snapper, pearl perch, and some impressive Venus tusk fish. At Chardons Reef, Spanish mackerel have been making an appearance.

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

The Barwon Banks and the Hards have been producing well, with snapper, pearl perch, amberjack, tuskfish, gold band snapper, cobia, and a mix of other reef species all actively feeding. The current has been manageable, and the water temperature is around 20 degrees. The journey out has also offered sightings of plenty of whales and dolphins.

Closer to Noosa, local reefs are yielding tuna, pearl perch, snapper, Moses perch, and cobia, making for excellent school holiday fishing. The favorable weather has contributed to great catches, including a nice reef jack, a couple of fry pan-sized snapper, and a solid amberjack.

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

Maroochydore

Bream are spread throughout the river, while whiting are more concentrated in the lower reaches. Mangrove Jack have been active up past Bli Bli and further down Petrie Creek. Flathead are being caught in the middle reaches, though the crabs are still scarce for now.

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

Mooloolaba

Offshore, there’s been a good run of Yellowfin Tuna off Cape Moreton, with Cobia and Snapper also showing up at Caloundra’s 12 Mile and Murphy’s Reef. At Caloundra Wide, Pearl Perch are being landed around the 80-metre mark, while Currimundi Reef has been productive for School Mackerel and Snapper.

In the rivers, the Flathead and Whiting fishing has been strong. Notable catches have been reported at the Maroochy River mouth and throughout the Mooloolaba canals.

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

Cobia and snapper have been showing up at Caloundra 12 Mile, while snapper, amberjack, and pearl perch have been caught out at the Hards and Barwon Banks. 

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

Caloundra

Whiting are being caught in the Passage, with a few Flathead also showing up from the bar mouth up to about Coochin Creek. While there are fewer Flathead than usual, better numbers are coming through. Mud crabs have been scarce, but some sand crabs are available. Although August to September is typically a prime time for both mud crabs and Flathead, Whiting are the standout catch at the moment.

Offshore, Snapper are being caught in good numbers with quality sized fish reported, and there’s a healthy presence of School Mackerel. On the bottom, Tuskfish, Moury Cod, and a few Sweetlip are being reported from the inshore reefs. However, Cobia have been less active this week, which is unusual for this time of year, likely due to limited offshore opportunities.

On the beaches, Whiting and Flathead are showing up in the surf gutters along the Bribie end. Additionally, there was an exciting sighting of the famous white whale offshore, if you want to see some great whale action while out fishing check out around 5 mile mark

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

Donnybrook

Whiting are being caught around Mission Point and Lime Pocket, while flathead are showing up in Husseys Creek and the Glasshouse Mountains creeks. The Dunlop Channel has produced some good bream. A few tailor have been popping up around the 112s system along with some small snapper. Around the bottom of Little Goat Island, flathead and bream are being landed, with grunters regularly coming in as bycatch.

Donnybrook Takeaway, Bait & Tackle   Ph (07) 5498 8247 | www.facebook.com/Donnybrook-Takeaway-Bait-Tackle

Bribie Island

There have been some impressive Whiting caught at Bellara in the Passage, with one measuring around 47cm. Flathead have been caught near the Bongaree Jetty, while a few Jewfish have been landed off the Bribie Bridge. There are still some Tailor hanging around at Woorim, and Bream have been reported in Ningi Creek. Mud Crabs are being caught in both Ningi Creek and around Donnybrook, along with some Sand Crabs throughout the Pumicestone Passage.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

There have been consistent catches of good-sized Flathead and School Jewfish coming through both the Pine and Caboolture Rivers. Whiting are showing up regularly around the mouths of the creeks, so it’s best to target these areas first if you’re on the hunt for them. Tailor continue to be reported in the Pine and Caboolture Rivers as well. Snapper fishing has been productive across Moreton Bay, with some nice fish coming off the artificial reefs. Offshore, the FAD east of Hutchinson Shoal has been holding a fair few Dolphinfish too

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

Sandgate

Mack Tuna have been spotted off the Shorncliffe Pier and Woody Point, continuing to hang around for the past few weeks. A massive Greenback Tuna was also sighted at the end of Shorncliffe Pier. Mackerel are still being caught using small, heavy slugs like the Tackle Tactics silver ones.

Red Beach is seeing good numbers of summer Whiting, with fish around 35-36 cm. The key to success is fishing just at sunrise with live blood worms.

Flathead remain abundant on the flats in front of Brighton and around the mouth of Cabbage Tree Creek. Notable catches include a 64 cm Flathead under the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge fishing platform.

Bream are plentiful and well-sized across various spots. For best results, use salted mullet on small circle hooks, often unweighted, as bream are readily picking up these baits. Using lighter gear improves your chances with bream.

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

Brisbane River – Northern Moreton Bay

Around Mud Island and Green Island we have been seeing good amounts for snapper and sweetlip. Mud Island has also seen a few bream and tailor. In the lower reaches of the Brisbane River, bream, whiting, and flathead are being caught, though the larger fish have been quieter this week, with only one report of a decent threadfin closer to the mouth near the Port of Brisbane.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Last weekend’s windy conditions made windows of opportunity scares but Sunday proved to be ok. We found a few Dolphin Fish at the FADs off the Cape and had some success at Brendan’s Shoal with nice Lightning Wrasse and the occasional Goat Fish. Whales were also very active, putting on a spectacular show throughout the day.

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

Another strong bite continues, with snapper, pearl perch, and Venus tuskfish being caught in good numbers from in close. The current has eased with the south-easterlies, though it’s uncertain how long these conditions will last.

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

Bream, Whiting, Flathead, and Grunter are being caught in Hayes, the Pine, and Bramble Bay. Cobia are showing up in Bramble Bay, while Yellowfin Whiting are also present in Hayes, the Pine, and the Eastern foreshores. Snapper can be found off the Eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshore areas. School Mackerel, Mack Tuna, and the occasional Longtail Tuna are active off Woody Point, in Bramble Bay, and along the inshore regions. Scarborough Reef is producing Snapper, Bream, Flathead, and Grunter. School Jew and Grunter are being reported both inshore and from a few land-based spots. Mud Crabs are beginning to appear in the rivers and creeks

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

Whiting are being caught at Fisherman’s Gutter and north of Darcy. Tailor are active around Peel Island and Green Island, where Snapper are also being reported.

Water Tower Bait & Tackle  Ph(07) 3396 1833

Redland Bay

Diver Whiting are being caught at Fisherman’s Gutter and the Rous Channel. Good Snapper are being landed at Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef. Sand Crabs are available around Cleveland Point and the Almiston area of the bay. Tailor are showing up at Main Beach, Stradbroke Island. Bream can be found in the Raby Bay canals. Flathead are actively spawning and can be found throughout the southern Bay.

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

Jumpinpin

The windy weather recently made it challenging for most people to get out, but those who managed to find a calm patch reported good catches of Whiting, Bream, Flathead, Crabs, Jewfish, and the occasional Threadfin Salmon. A few late-season Tailor have also been caught, thanks to the full moon, though they are expected to disappear for the year in a few days. Meanwhile, the Threadfin are only expected to become more active.

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

South Stradbroke Island

There have been some nice Sand Crabs around the weed banks of Crab Island, while good-sized Summer Whiting are being caught near Ephraim Island. Snapper and Tailor have been found in the deep channel near the Aldershots, and Flathead are being caught around Rat Island.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

It’s busy on the Broadwater at the moment with school holidays and most people have struggled this week finding fish. On top of the boat traffic there has been a lot of weed affecting all types of fishing. There will be whiting aplenty this weekend with the big tides and warmer water. Concentrate on the lower reaches of all the creeks and rivers for better numbers. Flathead are being found right through from the seaway to the pin bar with a lot of fish between 40-50cm. With the flathead classic on in a weeks time now is the time to chase them. Buy the number of boats fishing crab island Wednesday morning there’s a bit of pre-fishing happening already! Big tides at night so put the pots out for a mud crab as they will be active over the top of the tide. Get your pots right up shallow for best results. The canals are definitely worth chasing bream, trevally and jacks.

David McDonald  Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

The weekend is shaping up nicely for fishing. Expect good conditions to venture out to the 50-fathom and 36-fathom reefs, where Snapper are currently abundant. Amberjack and Kingfish are active around the 42 and 50-fathom reefs, with live baits and metal jigs being the most effective. Pearl Perch are also showing up around the wire weed, particularly in areas with manageable current.

Closer in, at the 24-fathom mark, Snapper continue to be a solid catch, and Longtail Tuna have been particularly active this year. On the beaches, there are still a few Chopper Tailor around, along with some nice Flathead in the low tide gutters. Summer Whiting are beginning to make an appearance on the beaches as well.

Inside the Broadwater, Flathead are everywhere, found both in deeper water and shallows. Fishing anywhere from Sundale Bridge up to Jumpin Pin has been productive. Various methods are working for Flathead, including trolling, live bait, and soft plastics. Whiting are also doing well in the Nerang River and Coomera River, with night-time fishing and worms proving most effective.

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

Strong winds and rough seas limited time on the water this week. However, when conditions allowed, the fishing was productive with pan-sized snapper, teraglin, blue spot reef flathead, tuskfish, Moses perch, pearl perch, longtail tuna, and cobia being caught.

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

Tweed Coast

This week’s fishing on the local reefs produced a solid mix of Snapper, Pearl Perch, Tuskfish, Flathead, and Trag. The conditions were favourable for a good variety of species, making it a productive outing overall.

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

There are still quite a few snapper being caught offshore, but in closer waters, big flathead are being chased around. Jewfish are more likely to be found along the river mouths, headlands, and offshore rather than further upstream. The mangrove jack started strong earlier in the week but slowed down due to cooler temperatures. With warmer weather expected this weekend, they’re likely to fire back up. Bream and whiting are still around, recommended using very light tackle to get the most fun out of the fight. 

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

Brunswick Heads

The wind and swell have kept most boats off the wide and close reefs this week, leaving little to report from offshore. However, beach and rock fishing have been more productive, with dart, whiting, bream, tailor, and flathead being caught, along with the occasional jewfish around the rock walls. In the river, there’s been a healthy mix of bream, blackfish, flathead, and whiting, with the odd mud crab still being picked up.

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

Ballina

Offshore fishing has been quite limited this week, but the weekend is shaping up to be more promising. While reports have been sparse, there are still decent numbers of Snapper on the 32s, along with some Flathead and the occasional Mulloway. The beaches have faced similar conditions, with access hindered by strong winds and large seas, but Angels, Skennars, and Patch’s are worth checking out over the weekend.

In the river, Flathead have been biting from the ferry to Broadwater, with Pilchards and Mullet proving to be the best bait options, as well as small, brightly colored soft plastics. A few larger fish have been taking live herring as well. Bream have been spread out from the river mouth to Pimlico, with prawns, squid, and mullet being the go-to baits. Although the numbers of Luderick have dropped, Whiting appear to be on the rise, with more showing up in North Creek. Mud crabs have been active this week, with the larger tides stirring them up. The best areas for targeting crabs have been the main river above Pimlico and North Creek above Prospect Bridge.

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

Evans Head

Airforce Beach has seen the occasional Tailor during the day, with Bream, Flathead, and a few whiting also being caught throughout the day. Evening hours have been more productive for Jewfish. In the lower reaches of the river, Bream, Flathead, and the odd Trevally are being reported. Upstream, Mud Crabs are starting to show up along with regular catches of Flathead and Bream. Offshore fishing remains unreported due to high swell and strong winds.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Hinze Dam

At Hinze Dam, Saratoga have started to appear in the grassy areas on the flats. Down near the wall, there’s been a notable improvement in the quality of Bass being caught.

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

North Pine Dam

Bass and Saratoga have been active at North Pine Dam, with spinnerbaits proving to be the most effective. Casting these lures to the edges and working them inward has been the key to success.

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

Somerset Dam

At Somerset Dam, Bass are schooling up well around Point Base and near Kirkley Flats, just before the timber. Spoons are currently the best option, but Chatterbaits, such as the Hoplite Spectre in 5/8 or half-ounce in roids or black, are also effective. Heavy plastics in white or lighter colors like chartreuse are working well also.

Wivenhoe

At Wivenhoe Dam, Bass are schooling up in Billy’s Bay, particularly in the 6 to 10-meter depth range. Using 20 to 30-gram spoons, slow-blades or hot- bites is recommended to find them as well as sounding around to find where they are schooled up Bass can also be found up towards the Hammond Boat Ramp at the opposite end of the dam, where spoons, heavy plastics, or the usual Jackal TN60s are working well.

Moogerah Dam

At Moogera Dam, fishing has been productive. The point just off the north boat ramp is particularly promising, with 20 to 40-gram spoons proving effective. Look for schools of Bass in this area, as well as opposite the caravan park and cabins on the other side of the dam. Anglers are also having success trolling hard bodies through the timber, where good-sized Bass are being caught.

Hinze Dam

There are a few schools off the points near the wall, where bigger fish are proving more challenging to entice. Spoons in the half-inch to three-quarter-inch range, as well as 3 to 4-inch plastics with white being the most effective color, are recommended for success. Saratoga can be found in the eastern arm, especially at the backs of the bays. These fish are responding well to surface lures throughout the day, with bent minnows, poppers, and cicada lures all proving effective.

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

THIS WEEK’S GALLERY