Fishing Report for 19th December 2024

Queensland east coast: Barramundi closed season – no-take species between 1 November and 31 January each year. (some exceptions apply — check the Queensland Fisheries website).

New lifejacket laws came into effect on December 1, visit msq.qld.gov.au for details. 

PLEASE NOTE: With the Christmas Boxing Day holiday falling on a Thursday this year, we will be taking a day off to wet a line ourselves, with the next report returning the following day, the afternoon of Friday 27 December.

Hervey Bay/ Fraser Island

Inshore reefs have seen good catches of giant trevally, golden trevally, and school mackerel for pelagic enthusiasts; while reef fishers have been landing plenty of coral trout and grassy sweetlip. Offshore reefs, particularly outside Fraser, have produced decent numbers of big blue marlin and GTs.

With all the rain, mud crabs are in good numbers throughout the river systems, and in about two weeks, we should see an influx of prawns being flushed out.

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

Tin Can Bay

Despite the heavy rain, anglers have been able to catch mangrove jacks, cod, and bream, especially those who braved the weather. Kauri Creek and Tbar Creek have been productive for jacks on the runout tide, with surface fishing and skipping plastics into shady spots proving effective. Snapper Creek at the mouth has also yielded good catches of jacks. Crabs have been abundant, with success at Judd Point flats and the power lines flats. Offshore fishing has been challenging due to the winds, but small queenfish have been caught on the runout tide at the mouths of the rivers.

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

Noosa

The water temperature off Noosa has been sitting at 26 degrees this past week, sparking a bit of activity on the reefs. North Reef and Chardons have been fishing well, with catches including scarlet perch (photo below), snapper, pearl perch, tuskfish, spanish mackerel, tuna, moses perch, and trag. Most fish are taking pilchards on bottom rigs. Sunshine Reef is also producing, but there’s been an issue with sharks taking hooked fish.

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

It’s been a busy time on the water, with sweetlip, snapper, and tuskfish coming in from Sunshine Reef. Over at Double Island Point, anglers are landing goldband, big pearl perch, tuskfish, and snapper.

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

There have been a few nice flathead caught in the Woods, along with large schools of javelin fish making their presence known. Gympie Terrace has produced some good-sized whiting. Jewfish have been active in the ski runs, while Lake Cooroibah is holding mangrove jack and estuary cod, particularly around structure.

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

After the rainfall, fishing has been great. Trevally are active between Makepeace Island and Chief Island, while the area just before Tewantin has produced some solid mud crabs. Down towards Noosa, bream, whiting, and flathead have been caught. Noosa Sound in the canals, particularly in the mangroves, has plenty of crabs, and the river mouth is producing some big bream and flathead.

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

Maroochydore

Mud crabs are everywhere at the moment, especially in the middle to upper reaches. Bream can be found throughout, with jew starting to show up at the Cod Hole. Whiting are being caught near the river mouth, and flathead are active around Chambers Island.

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

Mooloolaba

Spanish mackerel have been showing up offshore, near the Inner Gneerings and Coolum. The 8 Mile off Mooloolaba and the FADs have produced dolphin fish, while the Barwon Banks have seen some wahoo. Quality snapper and tuskfish have also been reported around the bottom of the Hards. At the 12 Mile Reef, spanish mackerel have been caught, and Currimundi Reef has delivered good-sized spotted mackerel. In the Mooloolah River, the recent rainfall has made fishing challenging, but a few nice mud crabs have been found in the deeper holes. Lake Kawana has seen some good-sized mangrove jack on the bite.

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

Amberjack have been reported at the Hards, while Spanish mackerel are active around the Gneerings. Black marlin, wahoo, and mahi mahi are widespread from 20 to 100 meters deep between Cape Moreton and Noosa. Further out on the shelf, blue marlin and striped marlin have been encountered.

Smithy’s Fishing Charters   Ph 0407 574 868 | www.smithysfishingcharters.com.au

Caloundra

The weather is set to improve soon, bringing some better fishing conditions. Offshore, school mackerel and spotted mackerel are active, with some spanish mackerel at the 5 Mile off Caloundra. In the passage, anglers are finding whiting, flathead, and bream, along with grunter. Mud crabs have been active in the creeks, and mangrove jacks are showing up throughout the canals. Tailor have been caught here and there (see photo below). On the beaches, whiting, flathead, dart, and some bream are being caught.

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

Donnybrook

Mud crabs are showing up in the deeper waters, and their activity should pick up as fresh water moves through. Whiting can be found around the usual camping spots near Lime Pocket and Mission Point. While the influx of fresh water has made mangrove jacks a bit scarce, a few have still been biting in Bulimba and Grass House Creek where the mouths of these creeks have been the best chance to catch one. Bream seem unaffected by the fresh water and are holding steady in the main channel, alongside Grunter.

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

Bribie Island

There have been sand and mud crabs at Donnybrook and plenty of sand crabs along Pumicestone Passage. However, due to the weather, not much else has been reported recently.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

For the keen anglers who managed to get offshore, Hutchies Reef and the FADs have been producing good catches of wahoo, mahi mahi, and some spangled emperor. School mackerel are hanging around the northern bay beacons, with the M8 beacon remaining consistent. Flathead have been reported in the estuary mouths, and a few mangrove jacks are still being caught, although recent rain might have affected their activity. Sand crabs are being caught just off the Redcliffe area, though mud crabs have been a bit hit and miss due to the rain over the past week.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Fishing out wide around the 100m depth has been productive, with good catches of snapper, tuskfish, and pearl perch. However, sharks remain a challenge, with plenty of them still thick in the area.

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

Sandgate

Despite the challenging weather, fishing has been fantastic this week. Mackerel are making quite a splash at Woody Point and Shorncliffe Pier, with herring and blue bait proving effective. Pro tip: set your drag properly and never leave your rod unattended! A couple of anglers nearly lost theirs after a big mackerel struck hard.

Over at Cabbage Tree Creek, the bream are biting well, particularly on mullet gut, bream bites, and Prawns. Hayes Inlet is producing some great summer whiting, with preserved beach worms and live blood worms being the go-to bait. For flathead, the beachfront at Brighton Foreshore and Clontarf has been the place to be.

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

Brisbane River – Northern Moreton Bay

The weather has settled, bringing some good fishing conditions. Spotty mackerel are active in the northern Bay, with schoolies and spotties being caught from Tangalooma around to the usual spots like Shark Spit, M8, M10 beacons, and out the front of Bribie. Hope Banks has seen a fair bit of small mackerel, though legal-sized fish have been scarce.

Inside the bay, squire and sweetlip can be found around Green and Mud Islands, with fish being caught on both the western and eastern sides, and even a bit on the northern side. The Brisbane River has been fishing well, with a few threadfin salmon, snapper, and flathead in the lower reaches around the rock walls. Sand crabs are being caught off Wynnum foreshores and near the old compass adjustment buoy, while diver whiting have been found near Nudgee South. Mud crabs are still active in the lower reaches of the river and around Fisherman’s Island.

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

Pending

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

Spotted mackerel are active in the bay, particularly near the Sand Hills and between Harry Atkinson and Green Island. Whiting are biting well at Amity Banks and Chain Banks, while Green Island has been producing good numbers of squire and sweetlip.

Water Tower Bait & Tackle   Ph(07) 3396 1833

Redland Bay

Crabs are abundant throughout the local creek mouths, with some spotty mackerel being caught out along the Shark Pit area. Over at Moreton Island, school mackerel are showing up at Hope Banks. Bream are doing well in the Raby Bay canals, especially under bridges and around high-structure areas where the smarter fish are hiding. Summer whiting are also active in the shallow gutters on Main Beach at Stradbroke. Offshore, for those who managed to get out, there were some unusual catches, including a threadfin trevally and a spangled emperor, both of which were safely released.

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

Jumpinpin

The persistent rain has created mixed conditions for anglers, with some fisheries underperforming while others show promise. Mangrove jacks have been feeding actively in dirtier waters around the Pin; the key is targeting the right snag, as they’re striking at a variety of lures. Flathead, on the other hand, have been more challenging to locate. For a better chance, head to clearer waters closer to the bar, with Kalinga being a notable hotspot.

Whiting are on the bite around Never Fail Islands and the Pig Sties. Flathead can be found at Kalinga Bank, Pandannus, and Tipplers Islands. Bream are active at the Five Ways, Cobby Rocks, and the deep hole at Crusoe Island. A few tailor have been showing up just inside the bar and in Canaipa Passage near Slipping Sands.

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

South Stradbroke Island

Giant trevally are being found under the Ephraim Island Bridge, while the southern arm of the Coomera River is holding some impressive bream. Whiting have been biting well at “The Junction” near Jabiru Island, and estuary cod are lurking along the rock weir between Jabiru Island and Paradise Point.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

David McDonald  Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

There have been good catches of small blue marlin and striped marlin in the 150-meter area back on the 42, with a few black marlin starting to show. Wahoo numbers are still high, and kingfish are being caught if anglers can get through the current. On the 36, dolphin fish are biting, and snapper numbers are still strong, with some nice parrot and pearl perch being caught.

On the 24 and 18, mackerel catches are increasing, with good numbers of Spanish mackerel starting to show up, along with decent numbers of spotties. Spotty mackerel are still abundant at Palm Beach Reef, and it shouldn’t be long before they turn up at Mermaid Beach Reef.

On the beaches, large schools of whiting are in the low tide gutters, with nice-sized flathead also being caught, along with dart. Whiting have been spread throughout the Broadwater, feeding on yabbies and worms. While sand crabs are still slow, mud crabs are definitely on the move with the fresh water in the system. Mangrove jacks are active throughout rivers such as Coomera River, Nerang River, Pimpama, Tallebudgera Creek, and Currumbin Creek, producing good catches. Trevally are being caught at night on the run-out tide.

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

Tweed Coast

Fishing the 30s earlier this week yielded excellent catches of trag, tuskfish, and pearl perch. Trolling lures has also been productive, with reports of mahi mahi and black marlin being caught.

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

Spanish mackerel are making their presence known with water temperatures climbing to around 26°C, which has the pelagic action heating up. In the creeks and rivers, big mangrove jack, trevally, and crabs continue to be active. There are also a few snapper still around, along with plenty of small mulloway.

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

Brunswick Heads

The wider reefs are producing some solid catches, with snapper, kingfish, and amberjack, plus a few dolphin fish around the FAD. Closer reefs are also yielding mackerel, along with snapper, jewfish, and parrot fish. On the beaches and rock walls, plenty of tailor, dart, bream, and smaller jewfish are being caught, making these spots ideal for a good feed of fish. The river is fishing well, with lots of whiting biting on yabbies, and mud crabs are being caught in good numbers.

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

Ballina

Pending

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

Evans Head

There have been a few good bream, tailor, and jewfish caught off Airforce Beach. Around the rock walls at the river mouth, anglers have found good bream and luderick. In the Evans River, bream, flathead, and tailor are being landed, with land-based anglers having success around the bridge. The upper reaches are producing mud crabs, but no reports from offshore due to the inclement weather.

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

Yamba

The lower reaches of the river have cleared up nicely, with bream and whiting being caught consistently. However, the upper reaches have suffered a fish kill in the low-lying areas, leaving activity there sparse. Offshore, it’s been a solid start to the early mackerel season, with wahoo, snapper, and dolphin fish making up a good mixed bag. Mackerel seem to be more prevalent in the northern grounds, while other species are showing up in the southern areas.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

* Some dams have been closed this week, following the recent rains. While others remain open, it’s advisable to check online for updates before heading out.

Lake Samsonvale

Lake Samsonvale is fishing reasonably well, though access may be limited due to recent spills. For Saratoga, spinnerbaits in lighter colors like white or chartreuse are effective, along with lipless crankbaits for reaction bites on the edges.

Hinze Dam

Down on the Gold Coast at Hinze dam, there are some good catches of bass and saratoga. For land-based anglers, casting from the bank can be productive, especially if you target submerged timber and points with lipless crankbaits and soft plastics. Metal spoons, particularly 20-30g ones, are effective for getting a reaction bite from fish near the submerged timber.

Wivenhoe Dam

At Wivenhoe Dam, yellowbelly are being caught on metal blades, lipless crankbaits, and spinnerbaits around rocky points and submerged structures. Bass are around, but you need to target pockets of bait. Metal blades and lipless crankbaits are the best bet for both bass and yellowbelly at this dam.

Moogerah Dam

Moogerah Dam is fishing well at the moment, with plenty of bass being caught, particularly around the spit near the dam wall. Small soft plastics on heavy jig heads, especially with bright colors like chartreuse, are proving successful. Crankbaits, especially deep-divers, are also effective when trolling over the spit. If trolling, aim for depths of 16 to 20 feet. Metal spoons and chatterbaits are also working well in this area. Some good-sized bass, around the 50cm mark, have been caught recently.

Somerset Dam

Somerset Dam is producing fish on sounders, but they’re not biting consistently. The best method here is trolling deep-diving crankbaits around the 20-foot mark to target these fish.

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

Hinze Dam

With all the rain, fish are likely to be moving around in the newly saturated grass areas which is great for land-based anglers. This should bring Saratoga and bass closer to the shore. Cicada imitations should work particularly well in these conditions, as they tend to attract these species.

THIS WEEK’S GALLERY

---

Deep Sea Fishing Co

Caloundra Fishing World

Noosa Bluewater Charters

Smithy’s Fishing Charters