Fishing Report for 26 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).

Coral Reef Fin Fish Closure: Anglers are prohibited from taking or possessing any coral reef fin fish species for the 5 days from 12.01am on Monday, 30 September to 11.59pm on Friday, 4 October, between the tip of Cape York, south to near Bundaberg (24°50’south). A list of coral reef fin fish can be found on 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

Flathead can be found from Kristie’s Gutter along Fraser Island, Coongul Creek, and down to Kingfisher Bay, with a healthy number of flathead, whiting, bream, and flounder present. Good-sized squid are being caught around Big Woody Island.
In the bay, snapper have been around but are expected to move outward soon. Live bait, such as yakkas or 5-inch jerk shads in bright colors, have been effective.
The area from Burrum Heads to Toogoom is fishing well for whiting, flathead, and bream along the sand flats.

The Burrum River has seen nice numbers of mangrove jack, flounder, flathead, and barramundi. Mangrove jack have been active near Buxton, particularly in the smaller creeks up to the Isis River, with early mornings or evenings being the best times to target them. If a summer storm rolls in around lunchtime, the cloud cover tends to improve their activity if you want to fish during the day.
While sand crabs are slowing down, mud crabs are hot around the straights past Kingfisher and Turkey Island throughout the creek systems

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

Tin Can Bay

In the Bay, whiting have been going crazy this week, especially around Norman Point. For land-based anglers, fresh yabbies or beach worms are working best, with regular sizes around 300 to 350 mm. On the run-out tide around North Point, there have been some impressive flathead along with plenty of golden trevally and queenfish. Some queenfish are reaching up to 800mm, and the GTs are easily hitting up to 3kg. Metal jigs and small plastics in the 2-inch range have been effective.

Up the creeks, temperatures are back up again, which should bring the mangrove jacks out on the hunt. Try soaking strips of mullet, especially with the lunchtime low tides this week, making it a great time to get stuck up the creeks. Fish the snags hard with live baits or strips of mullet for mangrove jacks, cod, and some big bream. You can also try throwing weedless plastics into the snags for the jacks.

Mud crabs have been a little slow, but with a new dark moon coming up, it’s worth dropping some pots in the creek. Sand crabs, however, have been reasonably productive, particularly along the edges of the sand flats, with some good sand crabs caught a couple of days ago at the mouth of Snapper Creek.

Offshore around the 10-mile and 30-mile marks, you’ll find jewfish, plenty of cobia, snapper, and pearl perch. There have also been some impressive hussar and big red emperors caught this week offshore.

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

Noosa

The Noosa River is teeming with flathead throughout the entire system, making it worth targeting the eddies for a good catch. Trevally are present in solid numbers at dusk and dawn, while plenty of tailor can be found following the current lines. Additionally, there are good numbers of Mulloway further up the river.

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

As usual for this time of year, the fishing out from Noosa has been great. Both the wide and close reefs are still producing well, helped by light winds and a slow current from the north. Anglers are filling their eskies with kingfish, snapper, pearl perch, Moses perch, cobia, tuna, and a variety of mixed reef species.

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

Maroochydore

Plenty of bream are scattered throughout the river, with mangrove jack making appearances up past the Bli Bli Bridge. Jewfish, trevally, and flathead can be found throughout the middle reaches. Unfortunately, there haven’t been any reports of whiting or crabs this week.

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

Mooloolaba

At Caloundra Wide, snapper up to 75 centimeters have been caught, along with pearl perch and amberjack. On the Bowen Banks, anglers are finding tuskfish and Moses perch. At the Close in reefs, Spanish mackerel are active at Coolum. Whiting can be found in the gutters on the beaches and in the Mooloolah River. Mangrove jack are appearing in the upper reaches of the Mooloolah River, with live bait and Shimano Redic jerk baits in the 80mm red dog color proving effective. Look for the potty mullet, as the jacks won’t be too far away.

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

Out at the Hards and Barwon Banks, there have been snapper, pearl perch, tuskfish, hussar, and gold band snapper, with a kingfish caught on jigs. It’s been a tough time on the jigs, with the back of the moon phase and North winds making conditions challenging.

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

Caloundra

Great whiting fishing can be found in the passage from the Power Boat Club, Bells Creek, and Coochin Creek. Flathead are active around Bells Creek and on the military jetty as well. Mangrove jacks have made an appearance this week throughout the canals, with Rapala Crush City imposters and live herring or potty mullet proving to be the most effective for these picky eaters. At the beach, dart, whiting, and tarwhine are present; look for the open gutters to find the best fishing spots. Snapper are still around, primarily at the 7 Mile and 12 Mile reefs, with school mackerel being reported at the 5 Mile.

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

Donnybrook

Whiting are being caught at Mission Point and Lime Pocket, while flathead can be found at Glass House Mountain Creek and the mouth. Grunter are around Little Goat Island, along with more flathead. Sand crabs are present at the bottom of Little Goat Island and within the main passage.

Additionally, mud crabs are finally appearing around the deep drop-offs and up the creeks. They have a particular affinity for fresh mullet, so be sure to add some to your pot when setting your traps.

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

Bribie Island

At Red Beach, both winter and summer whiting are present in large numbers. There have been some great-sized flathead caught up Ningi Creek, while dart are being found on the surf side at Woorim. Additionally, there are still plenty of sand crabs and mud crabs available in Ningi Creek, with sand crabs also being caught at the passage.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

Mangrove jacks are starting to show up, with anglers using plastic paddle tails or prawn imitations in the 4 to 5-inch range. These jacks can be found in various creeks and throughout the passage, with a couple also reported in the Caboolture River. Currently, there isn’t much action in the Pine River, though a few grunter are still being caught in the Caboolture River, Pine River, and at the mouth of the Brisbane River, primarily on soft plastics and live baits.

Flathead have slowed down this week, but there are still a few to be caught at the mouths of the rivers. They have begun to move into deeper waters, so targeting the cooler, deeper areas is advisable. Look for them at the mouths of Deception Bay, the Caboolture River, Bongaree, and Sandstone Point.

School mackerel are present within the bay, with slugs or live baits working well along the beaches. Snapper numbers have dipped a bit, with only a few spotted in the southern bay and at the mouth of the Brisbane River. Redcliffe has seen some snapper show up early in the morning, so it’s worth getting out there at dawn, using lightly weighted plastics or flesh baits and pilchards for the best chance of success.

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

Sandgate

There have been plenty of mackerel and chopper tailor around Woody Point and Shorncliffe Pier. Some anglers have even been landing legal-sized tailor. On Monday, tailor where being caught off Shorncliffe Pier using blue baits and Kumho #4 gang hooks with small pieces of mullet fillet. Floating blue baits on the gangs resulted in one mackerel landed and another lost, with the one caught measuring around 80cm, hooked on light bream gear!

Whiting are still being caught in solid numbers, particularly around Red Beach, Shorncliffe, and Scarborough, with many in the high 30cm range. Meanwhile, the Pine River is delivering great numbers of flathead across most areas.

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

Brisbane River – Northern Moreton Bay

Within the Bay, school mackerel can be found from north of Mud Island to the Measured Mile and the Four Beacons. Tuskfish and sweetlip are being caught at Mud Island, while snapper are around the Port of Brisbane, particularly near the rock wall. Bream, whiting, and flathead are present throughout the lower reaches of the Brisbane River, with whiting also reported on the eastern side of Fisherman’s Island. However, jewfish have been quieter this week, likely due to unfavorable tides.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Reef fishing was productive over the last few days but has started to slow down. Good numbers of dolphin fish are beginning to show up around the FADs, which are a prime target during the warmer months. The best way to catch them is by floating a pilchard out the back of the boat.

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

In Hayes, the Pine, and Bramble Bay, anglers are catching bream, whiting, flathead, and grunter. Bramble Bay is also producing cobia and some tailor. Yellowfin whiting can be found in Hayes, the Pine, and along the Eastern foreshores. Snapper are being caught off the Eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshores.

School mackerel and tailor are active off Woody Point, in Bramble Bay, and on the inshores. Scarborough Reef is yielding snapper, bream, flathead, tailor, and grunter, while school jew, tailor, and grunter are showing up on the inshores, with a few caught land-based as well. There are also a few mud crabs starting to move in the rivers and creeks

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

Mac tuna have been spotted at the red marker east of Green Island. Whiting are active at Amity Banks, Fishermans Gutter, and north of Dunwich.

Water Tower Bait & Tackle  Ph(07) 3396 1833

Good-sized tailor are being caught on the ocean beach, along with some decent sand flathead hiding in the area. At Frenchmans Beach, anglers are finding good whiting and tailor, with some reaching up to 70cm if you’re lucky. The beach in front of the northern keyholes features some nice gutters that are worth fishing for tailor.

Point Lookout Bait & Fresh Fish   Ph (07) 3409 8724

Redland Bay

Tailor are running at all the beaches and at the mouth of the Logan River with a 72cm tailor caught of main beach. Tuskfish are being caught frequently, with decent sizes reported this past week. Flathead can be found in the southern to mid-bay area, while mangrove jacks are making an appearance in the creeks and canals. Fast-diving hard bodies are proving to be the most effective lure for targeting these jacks.

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

Jumpinpin

Despite the repeated windy weather some solid catches of flathead, jewfish, whiting, and bream have been caught. Most of these fish have been found around areas with clearer water and strong current lines. Lures have been particularly effective for flathead and jewfish, while live worms have been the go-to bait for whiting, bream, and even jewfish, which is a bit of a surprise for this time of year.

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

There are plenty of quality flathead around Kalinga Bank, the deep waters off Swan Bay, the Stockyards, and Pandanus Island. Good whiting can be found in Fisherman’s Channel and the Pig Styes. Bream are actively feeding at Tabby Tabby Island and Kalinga Bank.

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

South Stradbroke Island

There have been some nice-sized flathead caught around Tipplers Passage and the Neverfail Islands. Bream are hanging around the bridge pilons at both Sovereign Island and Ephraim Island bridges. In the deeper waters near the Aldershots, small mulloway have been showing up. Unfortunately, mud crabbing hasn’t been great, with a lot of cornflake weed coming through due to the northerlies and north-westerlies.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

Fishing in the Broadwater may be challenging as the south-easterly winds blow straight up the channel, making it difficult to find shelter. A better option would be to target whiting in the rivers and creeks, particularly from the council chambers to the Sundale Bridge, where Flathead are likely to be found. The Coomera River, from Sanctuary Cove to the mouth, is holding good numbers, with both sections—especially the northern arm—producing well. The Pimpama River is also fishing effectively toward Couran Cove.

For the best results, remember to use a long fluorocarbon trace, small hooks, and worms. The canals are fishing exceptionally well, with plenty of bream off the rock walls and pontoons. An Ecogear SX-40 worked slowly down the natural fall of the rock wall is an effective technique, providing opportunities to hook into other species in the area, such as jacks, cod, and trevally.

David McDonald  Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

Offshore, there have been some good snapper caught around the 27-fathom line this week. Dolphin fish have been lively in the northeast FAD.

A notable 93cm flathead was caught in the Broadwater last week and was safely released. Along the esplanade at Burleigh Heads, anglers have had success for tailor on the incoming tide after dark. Some have also been fortunate to catch tailor at Sea World North during the night on the incoming tide.

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

Tweed Coast

Out at the Hards and Barwon Banks, there have been snapper, pearl perch, tuskfish, hussar, and gold band snapper, with a kingfish caught on jigs. It’s been a tough time on the jigs, with the back of the moon phase and North winds making conditions challenging.

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

With the Flathead Classic taking place this week, fishing has been challenging despite some fish being caught. Snapper are still being landed offshore at the close-in reefs, but reports of pelagics have been sparse due to the increased fishing activity from the event. However, mangrove jacks are starting to make an appearance, particularly around dusk and throughout the night, with better catches of mangrove jack and jewfish being reported at night. 

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

Brunswick Heads

The winds have kept deep-sea fishing relatively quiet, with most boats sticking close to local reefs. While snapper have been caught, the numbers remain fairly low.

Along the beaches and rock walls, the windy conditions have made fishing challenging, but those heading out early have been rewarded with bream, dart, and tailor.

In the river, results have been more consistent. Small flathead are biting well on plastics, while live mullet are producing some bigger models. Bream and blackfish are also still around in good numbers.

Mud crabs are starting to show up more frequently.

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

Ballina

Conditions have been quite favorable for offshore fishing earlier this week, with quality snapper, flathead, tuskfish, and mulloway being caught around the 32-fathom line. Large soft plastics and octopus-style jigs have worked well, along with the usual baits like mullet, pilchards, and squid. The FAD has been replaced for summer, and we’ve already seen some pelagic species, such as mahi mahi and marlin, setting up around it. Their numbers should continue to increase over the next month as the warm currents push them further south.

On the 48-fathom line, kingfish, pearl perch, and small amberjack have been coming through, with heavy jigs and live baits proving most effective, especially with the recent increase in current. Unfortunately, the weekend is shaping up to be wet and windy, with a low-pressure system predicted to form off the coast later in the week.

The river will likely be the best option, with flathead, whiting, and mud crabs showing up in North Creek during the week. The main river has also produced school mulloway, bream, and a few crabs, though the predicted winds may make fishing here difficult until early next week. For those looking to escape the wind, targeting bass could be a great option, especially as they’ve been hitting surface lures early in the morning and late afternoon. If you prefer a later start, diving hard bodies or skirted jigs have been effective later in the morning. Make sure you pack the raincoat this weekend.

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 great-sized bream and school jewfish. Around the walls, anglers are catching good bream and luderick. In Evans Head River, there are solid bream, flathead, and whiting on offer, while the upper reaches of the Evans River are worth a try for mud crabs

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

North Pine Dam

At North Pine Dam, there have been a couple of fish caught, though not in large numbers. Anglers have had success using spinnerbaits and heavily weighted plastics rolled through the schools.

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

Somerset Dam

The bass are present, but catches are few and far between, making it less reliable at the moment.

Wivenhoe

Wivenhoe Dam has started to see fish schooling up in certain areas, especially north of Logans Inlet, up into Hammond Cove, and down towards the buoy line past Platypus Cliffs. There have been nice bass schooling on the Billies Bayside of the dam.

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

At Hinze Dam, some good bass are being caught in the back bays, and Saratoga have also been taken on surface and subsurface lures. The bass are hitting a wide variety of lures, including jig spinners, lipless crankbaits, small crankbaits, and soft plastics, making them quite versatile in both the western and eastern arms.

North Pine Dam

North Pine Dam has been fishing well, especially for those walking the banks looking for bass. Anglers have had success with spinnerbaits, metal spoons, and soft plastics, with a few Saratoga caught as well. Topwater lures or subsurface lures in natural or chartreuse colors are working for Saratoga along the edges, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon, which are the best times to fish.

Maroon Dam

Last weekend at Maroon Dam, skirted jigs cleaned up on the bass. Anglers used single-hook scooter jigs with a little skirt on the back, often adding trailers that resemble yabbies or red claw. This technique has proven popular, with many anglers eager to give it a try. Fishing close to the timber and edges has been productive, with small soft plastics and blades still working well, but skirted jigs remain the top choice for catching fish at Maroon Dam.

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

Lake Monduran

The recent fishing competition here has produced some impressive barra, ranging from 80 to 120 cm, with Daiwa’s current Masters Semarki jerk baits and Mollits RT Shads 140s proving effective. Fish are usually found where the wind is pushing into a points at this dam.

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

THIS WEEK’S GALLERY

Cushy’s Fishing Charters

High Calibre Fishing Charters

Deep Sea Fishing Co

The Chandlery Bait and tackle

Caloundra Fishing World