Fishing Report for 26th June 2025

New lifejacket laws came into effect on December 1, visit MSQ website for details. 

New Addition to the Coastwatch fishing report “Salty Fishing Charters” Check out what they have been catching!

School holidays are just around the corner!
Make sure to check out this week’s local fishing reports, with some of our contributors sharing some great kid-friendly land-based fishing spots that are perfect for the kids and ideal for landing their first bream!

Hervey Bay / Fraser Island

The Urangan Pier has reopened, but bait has been scarce, so the fishing has been quiet. There’s been the odd bream and a few jewfish showing up at night, especially when the tide is right, but with minimal bait activity, the pier hasn’t been firing like you’d expect.
Inshore around Point Vernon, the winter whiting are still going strong, and there have been some grassie sweetlip and trout mixed in too, particularly out from the point. However, the baitfish have been absent from the inshore reefs and artificials, which has made things a bit hit and miss.
Further north toward Rooney’s and the gutters, the sharks are still thick, but there have been some decent snapper coming through in between the chaos, along with the odd Spanish mackerel and even a couple of nannygai caught recently, which has been a surprise.
Offshore reports have been limited due to poor weather, and not much is coming through from the wider reefs this week.
Back inside the bay, pelagic activity has been concentrated around Station Hill and the Wotoonba area. A few solid snapper have been mixed in, though numbers are still low, but what’s being caught has been good quality. Down the Straits there have also been reports of grunter, squid, flathead and whiting turning up.
Down the Burrum system, there’s been a light run of tailor starting to move in. Some bream, whiting and flathead are also being caught.

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

Tin Can Bay

Massive tides are pushing through at the moment, so it’s a good time to get the crab pots in. Some quality sand crabs have been turning up in close, particularly around the creek mouths, deeper water near the moored boats, the power lines, and North Point. Tailor are thick through the system, mostly just legal size, though there have been a few better fish caught trolling 1 to 2 metre diving lures around creek mouths on the start of the run-out tide.

Whiting have been active off Norman Point for land-based anglers, with bream and flathead also coming through in good numbers on the start of the run-in tide. Flathead are on the chew, with shallow-running hardbodies working well on the run-out. One session over the weekend produced 25 fish in a couple of hours, with the best going 58cm.

There’s still no shortage of estuary cod on the rocky ledges throughout the Bay. Strips of mullet, prawns, or deep slow-rolled soft plastics have all been getting bites.

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

Maroochydore

Bream and whiting are showing throughout the system, with trevally active around the Cod Hole.

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

Noosa

Pearl perch, Moses perch, kingfish, coral trout, snapper, tuskfish, and Spanish mackerel have been coming from the local reefs off North Reef and Sunshine Reef. There have also been plenty of humpback whales making their way north.

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

The bottom end of the river and around the Noosa Woods area is fishing well, with plenty of bream and trevally getting around. Good numbers of flathead and whiting have also been coming from the river mouth. Towards the back of the sound and through the canal systems, there’s been a strong run of mud crabs. Gympie Terrace and around the Boathouse have been crab hot spots too, with pots producing well. Up towards Tewantin and around Makepeace Island, the system is holding trevally, whiting, bream and flathead.

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

Mooloolaba

Close to shore, snapper and grassy sweetlip are still showing up around the reefs. In the river, garfish remain abundant along with plenty of squid near the trawler docks. The beach has been fishing reasonably well for dart and some whiting, especially along Kawana Beach and around the mouth of the Maroochy River. Good flathead are being caught on the sand flats as well.

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

Caloundra

Plenty of Venus tuskfish have been caught out at the Caloundra 9 Mile, with fresh mullet fillets proving to be the standout bait, especially when fished close to the bottom. Anglers have also been finding solid numbers of pan-sized squire in the mix, along with a healthy run of rosy jobfish and the odd red emperor just shy of legal size. Whale activity offshore has been putting on an impressive display, with several pods spotted throughout the day adding to the excitment.

Salty Fishing Charters Pty Ltd Ph 0459 636 798  | https://saltyfishingcharters.com.au/

The passage has been fishing really well lately, with good numbers of tailor and bream reported right through. A quick run down to Donnybrook over the weekend saw a solid session despite the rain, with 12 keeper flathead, tailor, and even a big, full “rusty buck” crab all landed in just a couple of hours. Even though the weather turned quickly, the fish were biting hard on the top edge of the tide, and the upper end of the Passage seems to be holding similar numbers. There’s been no shortage of bream, flathead, and tailor through the passage and on the nearby beaches.

Local inshore reefs like the 9 Mile have been fishing well too. Snapper and sweetlip have been coming through, along with the odd school mackerel and cobia. One standout session last week landed a 22kg and 19kg cobia hitting the 1.3m mark.

Taylor have been turning up in consistent numbers along the beaches right up and down the coast, with multiple schools moving through. It’s been one of the better winter runs we’ve seen in a while.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

Snapper have been active around Redcliffe, particularly in the early mornings and late afternoons, with tailor also showing during those times. Tailor have been caught in the Pine River, Caboolture River, and near the mouth of the Brisbane River. Jewfish are present in the Pine River up to areas like Petrie, with good catches throughout the system and a few threadfin showing as well. Grunter have been slower, but some have been caught in the Caboolture River, while jewfish are also present at the mouth of the Brisbane River.
Squid continue to be caught near Redcliffe Jetty, Shorncliffe jetties, and along the foreshores. Bribie Passage is producing some great tailor. Snapper are moving through at night on the ledges in the passage. Flathead numbers are through the roof, with most rivers and estuaries fishing well for them, especially on 3 to 4 inch soft plastics.
Mud crabs have slowed but remain in good numbers heading into the full moon. Bream are abundant, particularly around the beacons at Bribie, where some dart are also present, as well as around river mouths and deeper water nearby. Whiting are holding at the Cockle Banks when weather conditions permit.

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

Brisbane River

School mackerel have kicked off in the southern bay, with the season just starting to build. They typically spawn through July and August in the Rainbow Channel, so it’s a good time to start working the southern grounds. Recent reports have them showing up south of Peel Island, around the Banana Banks, Pelican Banks, Bird and Goat Islands. Over the next few weeks, they’re expected to push north into the Rainbow Channel, giving anglers a solid run of fish to target as the season progresses.

There are still good jewfish and threadfin salmon being caught at night in the lower reaches of the Brisbane River. Snapper, bream, and flathead have been coming from the rocky points and ledges between Hamilton and the river mouth, with spots like the compass adjustment buoy east of Fishermans Island and around the Darcy Light producing well.

Mud crabs have been active again, especially along mangrove-lined edges thanks to the moon phase, and tailor have been fishing well in the river itself, although the bay has been a bit hit-and-miss for them lately.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

No report this week

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

No report this week

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

Tailor, bream, whiting, flathead and school jew have all been reported throughout Hayes Inlet, the Pine River, Bramble Bay, and off the Woody Point Jetty. Yellowfin whiting are showing up in Hayes, the Pine, and along the eastern foreshores. Winter whiting have been consistent north of Scarborough, in Deception Bay, and through Bramble Bay. Snapper and tailor are coming in off the eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points and inshore grounds, with squid also being caught from the same areas.

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

There have been some solid whiting reports coming from the Rous Channel, the Blue Hole, and the back flats north of Darcy Light. Flathead and bream are on the chew in the Logan River, while the foreshores around Wynnum and Manly are holding good numbers of bream and tailor. Green Island has also produced some nice snapper over the past few days.

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

There’s been plenty of tailor showing up across the Bay and along North Stradbroke Island, with consistent reports from Main Beach, Flinders, and Home Beach. Most fish have been around the 40 to 55cm mark. A few small school mackerel have also been turning up in the Rainbow Channel and up along the Tangalooma stretches off Moreton.

Snapper are still fishing well through the Bay, with some solid fish coming off the Harry Atkinson and West Peel artificials. There’s also been a few good mulloway caught in the same areas. The southern Bay has seen a strong run of flathead around the southern bays river mouths and the weed beds, and there’ve been good numbers of small GTs showing up around Macleay and Lamb Islands.

Winter crabs are still about, but they’ve needed a bit more patience lately, with longer soak times in the pots proving more successful.

For those looking for school holiday spots to take the kids, Victoria Point Jetty, Wellington Point Jetty, Cleveland Point, and Raby Bay Harbour are all great options, with plenty of bream, whiting, and flathead being caught throughout the area.

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

Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin

The Moreton Bay region has been very much the same as last week. Shallow reef edges around Peel Island are still producing some solid squire, though they’ve started pushing out a little deeper. West Peel Artificial and Harry Atkinson are fishing well, especially if you can dodge the crowds and locate the bait on the sounder. Jewfish are being caught in good size and numbers too — target the deeper water, wrecks, channel edges, and drop-off lines. Macleay Island has been fishing well for pan-sized squire and snapper. Jewfish and threadfin are still about, not quite as consistent as previous weeks, but the bigger tides have likely got them moving around more than usual.

The Jumpinpin region continues to fish well, with prawns still hanging around and bringing baitfish with them. Flathead have been firing now that the water has cleared around Jacobs Well and Cabbage Tree Point. Prawn baits and paddle-tail soft plastics are working well on the run-out tide, and the mangrove edges at high tide are worth a look. Bream are still in spawn mode and coming in great size, especially closer to the mouth. Deeper edges along Coochiemudlo Bank, Crusoe Island and Short Island have been the top 3 spots holding big numbers. There have also been some great jewfish and threadfin salmon coming through Jacobs Well Channel and around Cabbage Tree Point. Giant herring have been showing up in schools throughout the Broadwater region, around Sovereign Island and the mouth of the Coomera River.

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

Jumpinpin

Pending

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

This week has seen solid numbers of jewfish throughout the Pin, with good size fish being caught on a range of presentations. The bigger jew are showing closer to the bar, while higher numbers are being found further inside. Tailor have been active along the surf beaches of both North and South Stradbroke Islands, mostly in the 35 to 45cm range. Flathead are also fishing well around the Pin, with good numbers and size coming in on live baits and soft plastics. Whiting have been caught on live bloodworms.

South Stradbroke Island

Arrow squid have been active in the western channel opposite the Grand Hotel at Labrador and also opposite the mouth of Biggera Creek near the Lands End bridge. Flounder and flathead are being caught around Crab Island, and tailor have been showing at the mouth of the Pimpama River. The big evening tides this week are ideal for dropping a few pots and chasing mud crabs.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

Great catches this week of flathead, squid, tailor, whiting, bream and tarwhine with most people catching a great feed. The Winter Whiting have shown up in great numbers out the front of Runaway Bay Marina and along the channel near South Stradbroke. Tailor are still showing up on the run in tide with some good size fish mixed in the schools up to 60 cm. Squid have been found in the channel opposite SeaWorld, Carter’s bank and around Crab Island. Bream have been found along the foreshores of Runaway Bay on the run in tide on dark.

Quite a few tarwhine have been caught this week with the average size 30cm+ Flathead up to 55cm were caught on the troll with hardbody lures like double clutch, tango shads and duos. When trolling there’s often by catch of good tailor. Schools of hardy heads have been seen so try to match that profile for better results. Whiting are pushing right back up the rivers with water quality still great even after a bit of rain.

David McDonald  Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

Snapper and longtail tuna bite slowed down over the weekend but were still feeding in the lead-up to the new moon. A better bite has been seen on the early mornings of the new moon, with a standout tuskfish landed during that short window.

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

Pending

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

Tweed Coast

No report this week

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

Taylor are still biting well along beaches and headlands, with plenty of anglers catching them as the bigger fish continue moving up from the south. Middle-sized slugs and soft plastics in flashy greens, reds, and silvers are working best right now.

There are still some big jewfish being caught south of the border on live baits. Surprisingly there’s still been big Spanish mackerel offshore. They’re few and far between but when they do show, they’re impressive fish often pushing the 20-kilogram mark.

Snapper and pearl perch are coming on strong, with plenty being caught. Cobia remain around, along with some spotty mackerel. In the rivers, flathead are starting to come out, and big bream are moving in, including some solid blue nose bream at the river mouths. Lastly, some large winter mangrove jacks have been showing up, adding another exciting option for anglers at the moment.

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

Brunswick Heads

Beach and rock anglers have landed solid numbers of tailor, dart, and bream, with a few jewfish mixed in. The rivers are producing well, with bream, blackfish, mangrove jack, flathead, whiting, and the occasional jewfish all being caught. Mud crabs are still coming in, though activity has started to taper off slightly. Offshore, reports continue of mackerel, longtail tuna, snapper, cobia, kingfish, and pearl perch.

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

Ballina

No report this week

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

Evans Head

Off Airforce Beach, tailor and jewfish have been showing up in the evenings, while during the day there’s been a mix of bream, flathead and the odd whiting. Around the north and south rock walls, anglers have been picking up some good luderick, a few bream and even a nice longtail tuna caught recently, with the tuna coming in surprisingly close. In the lower reaches of the river, there are still some good bream and flathead, along with the occasional whiting. Offshore has been a no-go with the weather, but there have been a few decent crabs getting around.

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

Yamba

The bottom end of the river has picked up again, with bream and flathead making a solid return. Flathead have been found along the rock walls where the stones retain warmth through the day, though a few have also been taken across the flats. One report claimed a fish close to 1.2 metres, though that may be a stretch. Still, bream and flathead have been the main species turning up in the river.

Along the ocean rocks, the tailor season continues to deliver. There have been consistent numbers of blackfish and bream as well, while jewfish activity has slowed a little, likely due to the recent stretch of calm conditions. Longtail tuna are still showing, and there’s been no shortage of snapper, pearl perch, and tuskfish. Mackerel appear to have moved on. Tuna have been hard to tempt, as they’re locked in on small whitebait, making it tricky to find lures that match. Even so, the overall fishing has remained strong.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Wivenhoe Dam

Whivenhoe Dam fished quite well over the weekend, with some good bass and yellowbelly caught from the buoy line and Platypus Cliffs up through Hayes Landing and north of Billy’s Bay. Bass were also active around Billy’s Bay itself, and a few yellowbelly were mixed in. Small metal blades in the 7 to 10 gram range and soft plastics slow-rolled along the bottom were effective, while chatterbaits also produced results, particularly around the rocky points where both species are hanging. In the main basin, schools of bait have been holding some decent bass, and metal spoons in the 20 to 30 gram range have worked well for those deeper fish, along with chatterbaits.

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

Moogerah Dam

At Moogerah Dam, bass are spreading right across the dam. Fish have been taken from the Spit through to the timbered edges, making it worth trying a range of lures. Metal spoons, soft plastics, and Jackall Mask Vibes are all working well, and spinnerbaits have been successful when fished through the timbered areas.

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

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam continues to produce some solid bass from both the western and eastern arms. A few Saratoga are still getting about, though they’re less active in the cold. If targeting them, try the middle of the day once the water’s had time to warm slightly. Lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and small chatterbaits along the submerged timber and back bays are a good start, while the deeper points near the dam wall are best fished with metal spoons in the 20 to 30 gram range, which have been working well for bass.

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

North Pine Dam

No report this week

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

Kurwongbah

Kurwongbah continues to fish well. Land-based anglers have been getting into good numbers of bass by casting metal spoons and spinnerbaits from the banks, particularly early in the morning and again late in the day. The bass tend to school up in the deeper water off the points this time of year, and casting long and hopping the lure back along the bottom has been getting results.

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

Lake Lenthalls – Lake Monduran

No report this week

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

THIS WEEK’S GALLERY

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Fisho’s Tackle World Hervey Bay

The Chandlery Bait & Tackle

Capn’s Charters

Caloundra Fishing World

Tackleworld Lawnton 
 

BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters

Addict Tackle

David McDonald – Private Angler

Charltons Fishing