Fishing Report for 28th November 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).

Hervey Bay/ Fraser Island

Fishing around Fraser Island has been productive, with spotted mackerel starting to show around Rooney’s Point. While not in big numbers yet, their presence is promising. Longtail tuna schools are also moving into the bay, from Rooney’s down to Moon Point/ ledge. They’re primarily taking metal lures and 5-inch Z-Man Jerk Shad plastics, particularly in pink. Stick baits and metals ranging from 40 to 60 grams have also been effective. Spanish mackerel are being caught by trolling, adding excitement to the action.

There’s an abundance of Mack tuna, from Burrum Heads to Rooney’s and down the straights. We have found golden trevally are being landed between Wathumba and Rooney’s, both offshore and closer in.

At the Urangan Pier, broad-barred mackerel are moving through in significant numbers, along with occasional big GTs and flathead. A golden trevally was even caught off the jetty recently, weighing in at over 10kgs.

On Fraser Island beaches, the tailor run has been slow, with only scattered reports of catches, particularly near Happy Valley. Closer inshore, there’s been a mix of coral trout, and cod. Down the Burrum system there has been flathead, bream, grunter, and mangrove jack, especially in the southern systems. Mud crabs have been abundant, down that way as well.

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

Tin Can Bay

Mud crabs are being scooped up around the flats, providing good opportunities for anglers targeting them. Mangrove jack have been active in Tbar, Kauri Creek, and Carlo Creek, with small live mullet or strips proving effective bait. For lures, casting into the mangroves on the run-out tide has been successful, with anglers getting strong reactions.

The flats have been yielding quality whiting, especially when using small poppers around Crab Creek. Flathead are being caught along drop-offs and drains near the flats, with 3 to 4-inch plastics working well. For a change of pace, targeting the flats south of Cockatoo Island has also been productive.

For queenfish, the series ledge is the place to be, with live pike the top choice for bait. Alternatively, 4-inch jerk shads or 100mm vibes, particularly the Simaki Vibalisouce in the 95mm size, are proving successful for these fast-moving predators.

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

Noosa

The pelagic action has been lively around North Reef and Sunshine Reef off Noosa, as expected. A strong northerly current is pushing down from the tropics, bringing plenty of pelagics with it. Anglers have been landing mackerel and mahi-mahi, with a few finding their way into the esky. In addition, sweetlip, Moses perch, pearl perch, tuna, and cod have also been making appearances, keeping offshore fishing exciting.

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

Fishing has been productive at North and Sunshine Reefs, with cobia, jewfish, Moses perch, pearl perch, and snapper all being caught. These reefs continue to offer a variety of species, making for an exciting time on the water.

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

The Woods has been producing good numbers of flathead and bream, making it a great spot to target. Tailor and trevally have been active around the Sound, offering plenty of opportunities for anglers. Meanwhile, Weyba has been delivering quality whiting, perfect for those chasing a feed.

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

Maroochydore

Bream and flathead have been consistent throughout the river this week, providing steady action for anglers. While crabs are expected to become more active soon due to the recent wet weather, reports are still limited. A few whiting have been caught down at the river mouth, but overall, it’s been a quieter week for fishing.

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

Mooloolaba

The Maroochy River continues to produce mangrove jack, with flathead being caught near the river mouth, particularly around the top of the tide. Offshore, anglers braving the sloppy conditions at Caloundra Wide have reported quality catches of pearl perch and cobia, making the effort worthwhile.

In the Mooloolah River, mud crabs have been active, providing some relief despite the overall slower fishing caused by murky water from recent heavy rain. Across the region, reports have been limited, as the dirty water continues to impact fishing conditions.

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

Cobia and amberjack have been active halfway out to the Barwon Banks, with live bait and jigs proving to be the most effective methods. Off Cape Moreton, there’s been some solid action with black marlin, wahoo, and mahi mahi making appearances. These pelagics are providing a great challenge for anglers heading offshore.

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

Caloundra

School mackerel and spotted mackerel, have been active offshore at 3, 5, and 7-Mile reefs, with catches of snapper, squire, cobia, and sweetlip adding variety to the mix. Up the creeks, mangrove jacks are being caught around Bells Creek, Coochin Creek, and the Pelican Waters canals. In the Pumicestone Passage, whiting and flathead have been providing steady action, while school jewfish are around but mostly undersized. Recent rainfall has brought some mud crab activity, with a few decent catches reported. Along the beaches, dart, whiting, flathead, and bream are being found in the gutters, making for good opportunities for surf fishers.

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

Donnybrook

This week’s fishing activity has been quieter due to less-than-ideal weather, but there’s still some action to be found. Mud crabs are in good numbers, particularly in the deeper sections of the Pumicestone Passage and at creek mouths. Creeks around Ningi and Glasshouse are also starting to deliver as conditions stabilize. Sand crabs remain hot near Little Goat Island and down towards Toorbul.

Flathead are biting well in the upper reaches of Husseys, Roys, and Glasshouse Creeks. Bream are also thriving, benefiting from the freshwater runoff, with Mission Point and the mouth of Glasshouse Creek providing steady whiting catches. For those targeting jewfish, the deeper holes at creek mouths have been yielding results.

No significant mangrove jack catches have been reported this week, but there’s still hope as the season progresses.

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

Bribie Island

The waterways around Toorbul, Donnybrook, and Ningi Creek are alive with mud crabs, offering great opportunities for crustacean enthusiasts. Tailor are still being caught at the tip of Bribie Island near Red Beach, where whiting are also making an appearance.

In the Pumicestone Passage near Ballara, anglers have landed some impressive bream, while the Caboolture River is producing standout whiting, with some measuring up to 35cm.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

Mud crabs are on the move, with promising catches reported from the Caboolture River, Pine River, and other creeks along the Pumicestone Passage. The influx of fresh water has pushed flathead toward river mouths and deeper holes, with Bongaree being a notable hotspot. Jewfish have also been active in this area, especially in deeper channels at night, where live bait such as mullet or herring has proven effective.

Spotted mackerel have been seen around the beacons, though weather conditions play a significant role in their availability. Off Redcliffe, jewfish have been caught around reefs in depths of 6 to 10 meters, with early morning sessions using soft plastics yielding the best results.

Mangrove jack activity has been slower but still consistent, particularly in the humid weather. Persistence pays off when targeting them with lures in the upper reaches of creeks. The Caboolture River and Pumicestone Passage have seen steady jack catches, though the Pine River has been more challenging for anglers seeking these fish.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Good-sized pearl perch are being caught, with snapper still active around the Cathedrals. However, live bait from the southern bait grounds is becoming harder to source, so be prepared to adjust your approach.

Moreton Island Fishing Charters   Ph 0413128056 | https://moretonislandfishingcharters.com.au/

The FADs are producing great-quality dolphin fish, while the 80-meter grounds have seen good catches of trag jew and flathead. Perfect spots to target for those heading offshore!

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

Sandgate

Fishing has held up well despite the rain, with great catches reported across the area. Scarborough has been productive for whiting and flathead, with both lures and bait working effectively.

At Brighton and the Ted Smout Bridge, anglers are seeing good numbers of whiting, bream, flathead, and the occasional jewfish. Meanwhile, Shorncliffe Pier has been a hotspot, with mac tuna, bream, and quality summer whiting providing plenty of action, especially on light tackle.

Sand crabs are being caught in good numbers around creek mouths and on the flats, adding to the variety on offer.

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

Brisbane River – Northern Moreton Bay

School mackerel are being caught near Measured Mile, Hope Banks, and extending south to Peel Island, as well as around Tangalooma and Shark Spit. Crabbing has been decent, with a few sand and mud crabs reported from Manly Harbour to the entrance of the Boat Passage, as well as around King Island and Green Islands.

Squire and sweetlip are being found at Mud Island, while threadfin salmon are currently the best catch in the Brisbane River, particularly around the port.

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

Mackerel are being caught east of Amity Banks near Hope Island, particularly on the outgoing tide. Whiting are also being found around Amity Banks. At Green Island, snapper and sweetlip are on the bite, while spotted mackerel are being reported around the Spoiled Grounds.

Water Tower Bait & Tackle   Ph(07) 3396 1833

Redcliffe Peninsula

Bream, whiting, and flathead have been active in Hayes Inlet, the Pine River, and Bramble Bay. Yellowfin whiting are also being caught in Hayes Inlet, the Pine, and along the Eastern foreshores. Offshore and around the Eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshore reefs, snapper, grassy sweetlip, and the occasional tailor have been on the bite. School jewfish have been caught on the inshore reefs, with a few also being landed from the shore. Mud crabs are on the move in the rivers and creeks, making them a worthwhile target.

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

Redland Bay

Good snapper are still being caught at the artificial reefs at the northern end of the bay. Fishing at the usual spots has also been productive, with plenty of bread-and-butter fish, including whiting, around the mouth of the Logan River. Mangrove jacks have been active throughout the Raby Bay canals, providing a good challenge for anglers. There are also rumours of spotted mackerel around Peel Island, though they are moving around frequently. Offshore, kingfish are being found out from Straddie, particularly between the 30 to 80-meter mark.

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

Jumpinpin

As summer approaches, mud crabs are on the move, with mullet proving to be the top bait for them. Fish are also heading further into the muddy areas, drawn by the abundance of mullet, which becomes their primary food source in the warmer months, replacing whitebait from winter. This shift is benefiting species like mangrove jacks, trevally, bream, and threadfin, all actively feeding in these zones. There has been some whispers of prawns appearing around the dirtier waters near the Pin, making it an exciting time to get out and explore these areas.

Good catches of whiting have been reported along Neverfail Islands and the Pig Sty. Flathead are on the chew at Kalinga Bank, Pandannus, and Tipplers Islands, providing plenty of action. Bream are biting at the Five Ways and the Deep Hole off Crusoe, while jewfish are being caught off Marks Rocks. There have also been occasional tailor cruising around the bar, adding some variety to the mix.

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

South Stradbroke Island

Mud crabs are back in action! The recent rain has flushed out the muddies from their holes, with excellent catches of big, rusty bucks reported this week in Coombabah Creek and the northern arm of the Coomera River. The upcoming morning new moon high tides will provide prime conditions to target these tasty crustaceans. Focus on deep holes near mangrove-lined creeks and rivers for the best results.
Queensland Fisheries has also noted strong mud crab activity around the Logan River following the recent downpours. Another hotspot worth trying is the maze of mangrove islands at the Pin. Recommended baits include mullet, chicken frames, or oily fish like mac tuna and bonito.
For anglers, the rain has reduced water clarity, making bait fishing more effective than lures in these conditions.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

David McDonald  Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

Offshore, a few yellowtail kingfish have been reported around the 50-fathom line, while snapper are being caught closer in at the 24s. There have also been occasional dolphinfish sightings, including a notable 1.2-meter catch. While not very thick, the dolphinfish around are impressive in length at the moment. Beach fishing has been quiet due to recent weather conditions. The seaway has produced a few tailor, though these appear to be the occasional strays passing through rather than consistent schools. Inside the Broadwater, flathead are still being caught, along with whiting in the Nerang River and the Broadwater, with worms being the preferred bait. Large flathead are also being found on the flats, with soft plastics like 4-inch paddle-tail lures performing well in these areas.

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

The recent rain has left the 12-26 fathom reefs with green water and plenty of sediment, which, combined with persistent N-NE winds, has made mackerel fishing less productive. Instead, anglers have shifted their focus to mixed reef species, landing trag, tailor, Moses perch, tusk fish, mack tuna, and cobia. Meanwhile, the sharks are gearing up for a busy summer, with bull sharks, sandbar whalers, and hammerheads making their presence known and keeping anglers on their toes.

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

Tweed Coast

Fishing has been a bit slower with the northerly winds, but there are still some solid catches to be had. Jewfish have been active near the headlands, while quality whiting are showing up throughout the rivers, and monster flathead are still on the bite. Offshore, spotted mackerel are making their presence known, though mangrove jack have been quieter in the rivers this week. Despite the recent rain affecting water quality, there are still plenty of bread-and-butter species around, and the rain has also got the mud crabs moving, making it a great time to target them.

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

Pending

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

Brunswick Heads

The weather has kept boats off the water, so there hasn’t been much to report from offshore. However, the river has been fishing well, with plenty of mud crabs being caught. In the river, anglers have been catching good numbers of mangrove jacks, bream, big flathead, whiting, and even some small jewfish. Despite the rough conditions, it’s been a solid week for those fishing the river.

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

Ballina

The weather for the weekend is not looking inviting, with wind, swell, and rain predicted to move in. Offshore fishing will be limited, though some quality snapper, along with a few flathead and mulloway, have been caught at the 32s. Live baits, octo jigs, and soft plastics have accounted for most of the fish this week. Mahi mahi have been quieter, with limited numbers coming from the FAD, mostly caught on pilchards or live baits.

On the beaches, quality tailor have been biting late afternoon and into the night during the run-up tides. Cut baits like mullet, bonito, and pilchards have been working on different days. Early in the week, good numbers of flathead, bream, and tarwhine were landed using pilchards, mullet, or pippies.

The water quality in the river is continuing to improve, and the larger tides this weekend, around the moon phase, should help further. The better flathead numbers have been between the mouth and Pimlico Island, with pilchards, prawns, and small soft plastics working well. Bream and jacks are holding on the rock walls in Emigrant Creek and the main river, as far as Wardell. The big tides should also produce some whiting on worms or peeled prawns. Additionally, the tides should be favorable for mud crabs in both creeks and the main river.

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

Evans Head

Airforce Beach has delivered a mixed bag this week, with bream, flathead, and whiting being reliable catches. In the evenings, jewfish have made an appearance, and tailor have been spotted along the beach as well.

At the mouth of the river, anglers have been landing the usual bream, flathead, and whiting, while upstream near the Black Hole, good-sized mud crabs have been on the move.

Offshore, Chaos Reef has been productive with solid catches of snapper and trag. To the south, South Reef has seen the occasional Spanish and spotted mackerel, offering some exciting opportunities for those targeting pelagics.

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

Yamba

Fishing activity in the river has slowed due to murky water conditions, pushing many fish toward the river mouth where the water is clearer. Flathead catches have been steady this week while mangrove jack activity has been strong. Beach fishing might be a good alternative, with clearer waters providing better opportunities. Offshore around Brooms Head, fishing has also been quieter, though some snapper are still being caught alongside the occasional wahoo. Strong currents have added to the challenge, impacting offshore success. Crabbing has been similarly affected, with minimal reports of activity. However, mud crabs are expected to move downriver as conditions improve, bringing better opportunities near the lower stretches of the river.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Kurwongbah Dam / North Pine Dam

For freshwater anglers, bass have been firing following the recent rain. Both North Pine and Lake Kurwongbah have been productive, with fish caught along the edges using a variety of lures

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

Moogerah Dam

Moogerah Dam has been delivering strong results. Bass are responding well to lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits worked along the edges. Toward the back of the dam near the creeks, larger deep-diving crankbaits (4-6m range) are performing well, especially near the trees. For schooling bass in deeper water, metal spoons in the 20-30g range remain a reliable option.

Wivenhoe Dam

Wivenhoe Dam is fishing well for yellowbelly and bass. Yellowbelly are being caught along the edges near Logan’s Inlet and Billy’s Bay, as well as off rocky points in the main basin. Small black blades, lipless crankbaits, and crankbaits fished along these edges are proving effective. While targeting yellowbelly, there’s a good chance of picking up bass as well. For those specifically chasing bass, look for schools in the deeper water of the main basin, especially along the old riverbed. Metal spoons in the 20-40g range, depending on depth, are producing results, as are 3-inch paddle tail soft plastics rigged on heavy jigheads.

Hinze Dam

At Hinze Dam, Saratoga have been particularly active, with several quality catches reported over the weekend. The backs of bays are productive, especially using topwater lures, small insect imitations, and subsurface spinnerbaits. Bass are hanging around submerged timbers in the main basin and near the points, with lipless crankbaits, metal spoons, and soft plastics (3-inch paddle tails on half-ounce jigheads) working effectively around the trees.

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

Hinze Dam

Nothing to report

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

Lake Monduran / Lenthalls Dam

In freshwater, nearby dams have been producing excellent barra sessions, with anglers reporting 10 to 15 fish per outing. Sizes range from 60 cm to over 90 cm. The most successful techniques involve trolling large hard-bodied lures or swimbaits in the main basin, particularly straight out from the boat ramp. Lake Monduran has also been fishing well, with some impressive catches reported recently.

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

THIS WEEK’S GALLERY

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Deep Sea Fishing Co

BK’s fishing Charters

Tackle Land

High Calibre Fishing Charters

Moreton Island Fishing Charters

Smithy’s Fishing Charters

Noosa Bluewater Charters