Fishing Report for 20th March 2025
The southern closures for Spanish mackerel apply each year to east coast waters south of latitude 22˚S (located slightly north of Stanage Bay, between Mackay and Yeppoon). The annual southern Spanish mackerel closed seasons are: 1st to 21 February and 1st to 21 March
New lifejacket laws came into effect on December 1, visit MSQ website for details.
Hervey Bay/ Fraser Island
After a stretch of challenging conditions following the cyclone, fishing in the bay has improved, with longtail tuna moving in strong numbers. Reports from earlier in the week saw anglers landing around 15 longtails in a session, with stickbaits, metal slugs, and 5-6 inch soft plastics working well. Spanish mackerel have also been showing up in good numbers from Six Mile right up to roonies, just in time for the closure to lift this weekend.
Offshore, the 25-fathom line and out a bit wider has seen some solid coral trout, while estuary cod and coral trout were caught further up the islands. Fraser Island beaches remain quiet, with no significant reports coming in.
Inshore, prawns are still running well from the Burrum system, and down to the Mary system and the straits, big banana prawns have been in the mix. Flathead, grunter, mangrove jack, and barramundi have all been caught in decent numbers locally.
Recent freshwater releases into both the Mary River and Lentils plus down to the lower reaches have stirred things up, muddying the water again. Mud crabs are on the move, with good numbers coming from the Mary and Burrum system and surrounding areas.
| Fishos Tackleworld Ph (07) 4128 1022 | www.fishostackleworld.com.au |
Tin Can Bay
Flathead are active around the ledges and drop-offs, with better results in the last couple of hours of the run-out tide and the first hour of the run-in. If they’re hard to find, try fishing around the Snack Shop, Norman Point, the skate park, or Searys Ledge using small vibes and grub-tail plastics. A few good mangrove jacks are coming from the creeks, with Tee-bar Creek and Carlow Creek producing fish. Soaking a live bait at Bullock Point is also worth a shot for a jack or barramundi. Whiting are around on the flats, though not in big numbers, while decent grunter are being caught in similar areas, with deeper holes on the run-out tide being the key. Don’t forget to put the crab pots out up the creeks, as mud crabs have been on the move.
| The Chandlery Bait & Tackle Ph (07) 5486 4744 | www.tcbchandlery.com.au |
Maroochydore
Plenty of bream are spread throughout the river, with big mud crabs in the middle to upper reaches. Flathead have been active in the middle reaches, while a few mangrove jack have been caught up the top end in the dirty water.
| Swan Boat Hire Ph 0403 601 452 |www.swanboathire.com.au |
Noosa
Fishing off Noosa this week has been productive, with catches including gold band, amberjack, cobia, cod, pearl perch, moses perch, and the usual species found in these waters. The current was manageable, and the weather was generally good for most of the week, with only a couple of days of less favorable conditions. The boats fished North Reef, Barwon Banks, the Hards, and Double Island, with solid results across all locations.
| Deep Sea Fishing Co Noosa Ph 0411 222 749 | www.deepseafishingco.com.au |
Good catches were reported this week, with some solid flathead pulled from the Woods area. Trevally were also active just off the Dog Beach, while the Frying Pan produced plenty of bream.
| Noosa River Fishing Safaris Ph 0429 030 823 | www.noosariverfishing.com |
Over the weekend, fishing at Double Island Point produced a great variety of fish, including jewfish, pearl perch, snapper, goldband, cod, cobia, and nannygai.
| Noosa Bluewater Charters Ph (07) 5449 9355 | www.noosabluefishing.com.au |
Trevally have been active at Woods Bay, taking soft plastics. Grunter have been caught at Tewantin and up in the first lake, with catfish also in the mix. Mud crabs are on the move after the rain, while whiting have been biting well at the Frying Pan on the high tide due to the full moon. Jewfish have been caught near the first bend around the car ferry, with fish measuring between 65 and 70cm, surprisingly taking worms!
| O Boat Hire & Bait Supply Ph (07) 5449 7513 | www.oboathire.com |
Mooloolaba
At the Barwon Banks, Spanish mackerel are everywhere, gearing up for the season to reopen. The wrecks are seeing pearl perch, amberjack, and kingfish. In closer waters, longtail tuna are abundant, while grassy sweetlip are being caught off Coolum and Point Arkwright. Sweetlip are also active at Caloundra, particularly around the 9 and 12 mile. Crabbing has been productive in the Mooloolah and Maroochy Rivers, and dart can be found in the gutters off Coolum Beach.
| Tackleworld Kawana Ph (07) 5444 0714 | www.tackleworldkawanafishingstore.com.au |
Amberjack and cobia are being caught halfway to the Barwon Banks, while on the banks themselves, anglers are hooking into hussar, amberjack, and tuskfish.
| Smithys Fishing Charters Ph 0407 574 868 | www.smithysfishingcharters.com.au |
Caloundra
With Friday and Saturday looking good for offshore fishing, snapper, sweetlip, and cobia have been firing on the inshore reefs off Caloundra after an extended break. Spanish mackerel will be back on the take list from Friday, the 21st, which should see plenty of anglers heading out to target them.
The beaches along the southeast coast have taken a hit, with exposed rock making fishing conditions different from usual. However, there have been reports of bream, whiting, tarwhine, dart, and the occasional jewfish along the surf. Surprisingly, garfish have been caught in the Bribie Passage as far up as Coochin Creek.
Crabbing has been good, while prawning has been hit-and-miss. Reports on bream, grunter, flatties, whiting, and jewfish have been coming in sporadically as more anglers get back on the water. Snapper fishing was productive last Sunday and Monday, with good catches from the coffee rock areas out to Caloundra Wide. After the long break, the reefs have been fishing well.
| Caloundra Fishing World Ph (07) 5491 4566 | www.caloundrafishingworld.com.au |
Donnybrook
Crabs are abundant around Mission Point and in the passage. However, there have been few reports overall, with whiting activity remaining quiet due to the fresh water moving through the area.
| Donnybrook Takeaway, Bait & Tackle Ph (07) 5498 8247 | www.facebook.com/Donnybrook-Takeaway-Bait-Tackle |
Bribie Island
Lots of mud crabs are being caught at Banksia Beach, while sand crabs are active in the Pumicestone Passage. Grunter and bream are showing up in good numbers around the jetty, and plenty of dart are being landed on the surf side at Woorim.
| Gateway Bribie Adventures Ph (07) 5497 5253 | https://www.facebook.com/gatewaybaitandtackle/ |
Northern Moreton Bay
In the Passage, good numbers of whiting and flathead have been caught, particularly near the river mouths on the top of the tide. Mud crabs have been active in both the Pine and Caboolture rivers.
Off Redcliffe, snapper have been biting well in the early mornings on the northern side, with some quality grunter also being landed. Bream haven’t been deterred by the dirty water, and fishing the river mouths on the top of the tide, where the water is cleaner, has been productive. A few tailor have also shown up, which is unusual for this time of year.
Jewfish have been caught at the mouth of the Brisbane River, though not much has been happening further upstream. Prawns remain slow, and while threadfin salmon have been present at the mouths of both the Brisbane and Pine rivers, they’ve been hesitant to bite.
Offshore, bar cod have been caught off Cape Moreton, along with good snapper, grassy sweetlip, and wahoo. Up at Caloundra, Spanish mackerel have been widespread, with the open season and good weather ahead, anglers are sure to target them this weekend.
| Tackleworld Lawnton
Ph (07) 3205 7475 | www.facebook.com/tackleworldlawnton |
Sandgate
Alfred has done his worst and has left the building, but in his wake, some cracking fish are still on the chew. I hit Cabbage Tree Creek and cleaned up on bream, though I made the rookie mistake of losing a really nice flathead!
We also tested out Shorncliffe Pier, with heaps of baitfish around and plenty of good-sized bream. Aaron even managed a few, so they must be hungry!
We met up with George and his dad, Codie, and witnessed young George hook up and bring in a great bream. Dad had to assist in getting it over the rails, but it was all George—well done!
Young Ryan got out on the bay the other day and brought home the goods. He dropped a few good fish, but this cod was not one of them! Great work, Ryan! (Photos in Gallery)
| Tackle Land
Ph (07) 3269 5060 | www.tackleland.com.au |
Moreton Bay Offshore
A productive weekend on the water saw over 30 quality-sized dolphin fish caught, with a triple hook-up on wahoo, though only one was landed as the others were bitten off. Tuna and a variety of reef species were also caught, contributing to a solid haul. Surface fishing has been yielding better quality dolphin fish and wahoo in the area. With the Spanish mackerel closure set to reopen this Saturday, anglers can expect increased opportunities to target these prized fish once again.
| High Calibre Charters Ph 0421 922 713 | https://highcalibrefishingcharters.com.au/ |
Fished Roberts Shoal and then headed south, targeting shallow Tempest and a few other spots. There was a good mix of fish, including kingfish, Māori cod, cattle dog, and a few other common reef species. A pretty good weekend overall!
| Moreton island fishing charters Ph 0413128056 | https://moretonislandfishingcharters.com.au/ |
Redcliffe Peninsula
Bream, whiting, flathead, grunter, and school jew are being caught in Hayes Inlet, the Pine River, and Bramble Bay, with a few yellowfin whiting also showing up along the eastern foreshores. Scattered winter whiting are starting to appear. Snapper, grassy sweetlip, grunter, and some tailor have been caught off the eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshore areas. School mackerel are around the beacons in the bay, while mud crabs are active in the rivers and creeks. Sand crabs are being caught in Bramble Bay and off Margate Beach.
| Hornibrook Bait & Tackle Ph 0483 846 966 www.facebook.com/HornibrookBT |
Redland Bay
Good numbers of mud crabs are being caught both in the creek mouths and further up the creeks, while sand crabs are widespread throughout the bay. Snapper and sweetlip are still being caught in the usual reef spots, including around Peel Island. Offshore, pelagic action remains strong in the clearer waters, with wahoo and mackerel being a solid target. Whiting are still about, with the Rouse Channel and the mouth of the Logan River being worth a look.
| Mossops Tackle Store Cleveland Ph (07) 3821 1240 | www.mossopsfishing.com.au |
Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin
Since the cyclone, not many have ventured out in the Jumpin-pin area, but reports have come in saying the water remains quite dirty. For the best chances at catching fish in the region, it’s recommended to head closer to the mouth and target the incoming tide. The Gold Coast Broadwater is cleaner on the high tide, but around 2-3 hours into the run outside both Jumpin’ and the Gold Coast, the water can get murky, making it harder for fish to see lures.
On the other hand, Moreton Bay is holding up well, with cleaner water. The low tide around Peel Island and the surrounding areas is still relatively clean, extending as far south as Maclay. There’s plenty of shallow water snapper, sweetlip, and grassy species around, along with a good amount of bait. If clean water is found around the islands, there’s a solid chance at fishing those shallow water reefs. At West Peel Artificial, a few jewfish were seen on the wrecks. Pelagics haven’t been spotted yet, but focusing on the incoming tide will increase chances. A quick drive around to look for bait or diving birds will help pinpoint a productive spot to cast.
| Capn’s Charters Ph 0410 590 049 | Capns Charters – Lure & Soft Plastic Fishing Charter |
Nth Stradbroke Island
Wahoo have been active on the local reefs, with Spanish mackerel showing a particular preference for garfish. Despite the rough conditions and dirty water on the bay side, fishing has been slower than usual. However, the beaches are producing bream, whiting, and dart, with whiting being particularly hot this March.
| Point Lookout Bait & Fresh Fish Ph (07) 3409 8724 |
No report this week
| Water Tower Bait & Tackle Ph(07) 3396 1833 |
Jumpinpin
The system is still dirty after Alfred, so it’s best to head towards the Pin Bar where the water is clearer. Tailor have been active around the bar early in the morning, with pilchards, whitebait, and metal lures working well. Flathead are biting at Kalinga Bank, while whiting are being caught at the Pig Styes and Fisherman’s Channel. Bream can be found in deeper water and around Swan Bay.
| Gem Bait & Tackle Ph (07) 3287 3868 | www.facebook.com/gembait |
The effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred are still evident throughout the Pin area, with murky water and debris widespread. Freshwater species like tilapia and bony bream have been spotted in typically salty waterways. These conditions have quieted the prawn and threadfin bite, and the expected jack activity hasn’t really picked up. However, mud crabs and sharks have been active, with both crabbing and shark fishing proving productive.
| Jacobs Well Boat Hire Ph (07) 5546 2608 | www.jacobswellboathire.com.au |
South Stradbroke Island
Large GTs have been active around the weir at “The Estuary” on Coombabah Creek. Whiting are along the Gold Banks at the Pin, while Moses perch have been caught along the break wall at Runaway Bay Marina. Water clarity in the Broadwater is still poor but improves on the top of the tide around Wavebreak Island. Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek have remained clear. Mud crabs are being flushed out with the fresh, with plenty of jennies being caught, though some solid bucks are still making it into the boiling pot.
| Gold Coast Boat Hire
Ph 0432 710 892 | www.goldcoastboathire.com.au |
Gold Coast Broadwater
This weekend should be fantastic for fishing after things have settled down this week. The fresh water is still about especially on the low tide so concentrate your efforts around the high tide in the afternoon. Whiting will be feeding after the rain but not up the rivers as it’s too fresh so best areas to fish should be closer to the seaway. Wadding the flats will a great way to target them with unweighted yabbies but they are being caught right through the Broadwater from about Sundale bridge in the south to the mouth of the Coomera river to the north. Near the Coomera is only at the top of the tide. It’s not just whiting worth targeting as the seaway itself will be firing and the smaller tides will only help with holding position. Flathead, Jew, squire, trevally, tailor and jacks should be there so all types of lures and baits will work. From this time of year to mid April the bigger jacks start to arrive at the seaway before heading out to the reefs. Mud crabs are still on the move and definitely worth chasing. As the water becomes less fresh they start to make their way back to shallower water. I’d still be putting my pots in a little deeper or closer to the mouth of the rivers as it’s too fresh right up the upper reaches.
| David McDonald Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina |
Southport
With the Spanish mackerel closed season and the presence of browny-green floodwater runoff in the 20-50m reefs, we adapted our usual autumn plan and focused on mixed reef fish in around 65m. This approach led to some solid catches, including schools of snapper, tuskfish, wrasse, Moses perch, pearl perch, Māori cod, and tuna. The FADs weren’t producing much, as they lacked current, but we still managed to add a dozen mahi mahi to the weekend catch.
This will be our strategy for trips leading up to Friday, with the Spanish mackerel season reopening on Saturday. We’re looking forward to targeting them once again.
| BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters Ph 0414 293 034 | https://bksfishing.com.au/ |
Wahoo have been abundant offshore, particularly around the 24-fathom line, with anglers having success using 190mm purple Halco lures. Spanish mackerel are also around, but the current closure remains in place until the weekend. With the season reopening on Saturday and good weather forecast, many anglers are expected to head out in search of Spanish mackerel to restock their freezers. One angler recently caught some very impressive wahoo before reaching the bag limit and was keen to get back out this weekend.
In the Coomera River, trevally have been active in the slightly dirty water, though there haven’t been many reports of mangrove jack. Some flathead have been caught on the cleaner flats around Crab Island. As for crabs, there hasn’t been much news lately. Recent power outages have made it difficult to get consistent reports, but with better conditions ahead, more updates should come through soon.
| Gold Coast Fishing Tackle Ph (07) 5679 0840 | www.goldcoastfishingtackle.com.au |
Tweed Coast
Following the recent full moon, the water remains quite dirty, but there have still been solid catches of Spanish mackerel and wahoo offshore, with fish over 15kg being reported.
Mahi mahi are still being caught around the FADs, with most fish measuring just over 70cm. Reef fish have been on the move, with snapper being landed despite the dirty water and rough conditions. Jewfish have also been caught off the headlands and rock walls, with some good-sized fish among them.
| Addict Tackle Ph (07) 5523 3535 | https://www.addicttackle.com.au/ |
Brunswick Heads
Boaties finally made it out to sea and had a successful run, landing snapper, wahoo, mackerel, kingfish, and plenty of sharks. Beach and rock wall fishing has been hit and miss due to lingering debris from the storm, but there have still been quality bream and jacks caught off the walls, along with whiting and dart on the beaches. The river has been producing bream, jacks, and flathead, with plenty of mud crabs being caught following the fresh water.
| Bruns Beach, Bait & Tackle https://www.instagram.com/brunsbeachbaitntackle/ |
Evans Head
In the lower reaches of Evans River, bream, flathead, and whiting are being caught. Rock walls are producing bream and school jewfish, while Airforce and Main Beach are also worth a try for bream and school jew. A few boats ventured offshore, with good catches of snapper and trag from the coast reefs.
| Evans Head Sports & Marine Ph (02) 6682 4536 | www.facebook.com/EvansheadSportsMarine |
Yamba
Good-sized jewfish have been caught around the edge of the front and at the end of the wall in the floodwaters, with fish reaching up to 32kg. The bite has started to slow, returning to more typical fishing conditions rather than the fast action seen recently.
On the beaches, some anglers fishing in the cleaner, saltier water have been landing quality flathead, while bream have been active around the rocky areas. In the river, catfish have been common, but not much else has been reported. There hasn’t been much word on crabs, and few anglers have been able to go offshore but reports are limited. However, conditions have been good for those looking to head outside.
| Yamba Bait and Tackle Ph (02) 6646 1514 | https://www.facebook.com/yambabaitandtackle/ |
FRESHWATER FISHING
Wivenhoe Dam
Fishing conditions at Wivenhoe Dam saw some good catches last weekend, with fish taken near the buoy line, in the main basin, and around Billy’s Bay. Rocky points and areas with flooded grass held fish, with lipless crankbaits, chatterbaits, and crankbaits proving effective. The water had a bit of color, making lures that produce vibration and noise the best choice. Both yellowbelly and bass were caught, making it a worthwhile spot to fish again this weekend.
Somerset Dam
At Somerset Dam, bass and yellowbelly were also caught, particularly around rocky points and grassy banks where fish were congregating. Similar to Wivenhoe, crankbaits, chatterbaits, and lipless crankbaits with rattles were successful. The water was somewhat dirty due to recent inflows and releases into Wivenhoe, but with those flows now stopped, conditions should improve in the coming weeks. While there’s some rain about today, a stretch of fine weather should see the dams clear up nicely.
| Charltons Fishing Ph (07) 3818 1677 | www.charltonsfishing.com.au |
Kurwongbah and North Pine Dam
Freshwater fishing has seen bass holding deeper in North Pine and South Pine, as well as in the Caboolture River. Once the water clears, the bass bite should improve.
At Kurwongbah Dam, early mornings have been the best time to target saratoga, with frogs and surface walkers working well around the high points along the dam edges. Bass have been sitting deeper.
North Pine Dam has also seen bass holding in deeper water, with trolling and spinnerbaits proving effective.
| Tackleworld Lawnton
Ph (07) 3205 7475 | www.facebook.com/tackleworldlawnton |
Lake Lenthalls – Lake Monduran
Plenty of barramundi are being caught, though most have been on the smaller side, ranging from 50 to 80cm. While the numbers are solid, size has been lacking, with some anglers landing up to 20 in a session. Over at Monduran, fishing has been hit-and-miss, but those using live view sounders, have found it easier to get results. Some fish up to 120cm have been landed, making for some quality catches despite the overall challenging conditions.
| Fishos Tackleworld Ph (07) 4128 1022 | www.fishostackleworld.com.au |
Ewen Maddock Dam
In the freshwater, the dams have been active. At Ewen Maddock Dam, bass and saratoga have been biting. Bass have been sitting deeper, with trolling deep divers and casting weighted lures to the thermocline proving effective. Early mornings have been best for surface lures and spinnerbaits around the weed edges, while during the day, the fish are holding deeper and feeding accordingly.
| Caloundra Fishing World Ph (07) 5491 4566 | www.caloundrafishingworld.com.au |
THIS WEEK’S GALLERY
Deep Sea Fishing Co
Noosa Bluewater Charters
High Calibre Charters
BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters
Tackle Land
Moreton island fishing charters
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