Fishing Report for 29th May 2025

Fishing Report Thu 29 May 2025

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

Hervey Bay / Fraser Island

Flathead activity has been gradually improving throughout the Hervey Bay region, with the lower Mary River and River Heads producing the most consistent action. Blue salmon have slowed down, and reports from the upper reaches have been scarce in recent days. Offshore, the southern and central Bay continues to see scattered schools of mackerel moving through, including both school and Spanish varieties, especially along the gutters where grassy sweetlip and coral trout have also been caught with some consistency.

The northern and southern gutters have been fishing steadily, and Buxton Hole remains worth a look, though it’s been a little quieter compared to previous weeks. While there’s been no major activity offshore from Fraser Island and no confirmed marlin action, inshore waters are picking up the slack.

The big tides have really fired up the queenfish, with good numbers chasing bait throughout the straits and into the Bay. The Urangan Pier has also been a hotspot lately, with broad-barred mackerel turning up in force. These have been the standout species, taking live baits and spoons readily, while a few school mackerel and the odd large GT have also made appearances.

As baitfish begin to gather in greater numbers around the pier, it won’t be long before the spawning bream move in—an annual highlight many anglers look forward to. Spanish mackerel numbers have seen a strong resurgence in the Bay, aided by reduced commercial pressure and tighter recreational limits. Arch Cliffs and the 6 Mile have remained key zones for chasing Spaniards, with solid numbers also turning up along the reefy stretch from Coongul Creek down to Moon Point on Fraser’s western shore.

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

Tin Can Bay

Squid are starting to show up around the moored boats between the powerlines and Norman Point. While not in large numbers, they’re worth targeting. Winter whiting are also being caught in the same areas. Flathead remain active, with a consistent size range of 48–52cm — ideal for a feed.

It’s still worth dropping the pots, with some nice mud crabs around. The flats near Carlo and the powerlines have been productive, and Snapper Creek has also been crabbing well. There’s a mix of small reef species being caught across the ledges and rubble beds, mostly on mullet strips and squid baits. Soft plastics like 5” jerk shads have also been working well in these areas.

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

Maroochydore

There are good numbers of bream and whiting throughout the river now that the water has cleared up. Flathead have been showing up in the middle reaches, and there are still a few mud crabs hanging about through the middle to upper sections on these bigger tides.

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

Noosa

The local reefs including North Reef, Sunshine Reef, and Chardons are still producing a great variety of fish, with mackerel, bluefin tuna, cobia, pearl perch, and snapper all on the chew. Out wider at the Barwon Banks, the slower current has made both the inside and outside grounds very fishable. It’s been fishing really well out there with solid catches of big snapper, pearl perch, amberjack, tuskfish, and Moses perch, along with a good mix of other reef species.

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

There have been some mulloway showing up in the Woods Bays area. Bream and tarwhine are abundant throughout, with spawning activity now underway for the season. A few flathead are being caught around the mouth during the bottom tides, and small trevally are active around Tewantin.

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

It’s been an awesome week offshore, especially up at Double Island Point where the 9-hour trips have turned up quality nannygai, goldband snapper, pearl perch, and large snapper. In closer, North Reef has also been fishing exceptionally well with coral trout, pearl perch, Spanish mackerel, and more big nannygai coming aboard.

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

There have been heaps of mud crabs throughout the Noosa River, particularly from Tewantin up to the first lake, with the recent rainfall likely contributing to their activity. A few catfish have been caught up toward the first lake as well, but they’re best avoided due to their sting. The Woods Bay and river mouth area have been holding some solid trevally and bream, and there’s been a strong run of bream at Tewantin, especially around the bend. One session produced 15 bream with 9 kept – many of them between 30 and 35 cm.

Flathead have been responding well on the drift, with a recent session during a TV shoot (fishing Australia) landing 9 fish in just a few hours, which is not their usual method. Whiting are also fishing well, with good numbers towards the river mouth near the coast guard, some measuring up to 40 cm and taking worms.

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

Mooloolaba

At Currimundi Reef, there have been grassy sweetlip and school mackerel on offer, while Murphy’s Reef has produced tuskfish and squire. On the western side of the Bowen Banks, tuskies have been active, and out at the bottom of the Hards, anglers found good-sized pearl perch and some gold-band snapper. Further north at the top of the Hards, some standout snapper have been landed, including a cracker tipping over 8kg. There were also jewfish caught on the inner Neering and amberjack reported from Caloundra Wide.

Inshore, garfish have started to show up at the mouth of the Maroochy River along with some solid whiting. The Mooloolah River has been holding good numbers of mud crabs in the deeper holes, and there’s been decent trevally activity around the trawler docks.

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

Snapper and pearl perch have been coming from the Barwon Banks, with tuskfish active around the Gneerings. Sharks have been a consistent issue across most offshore spots, making it difficult to land quality fish at times.

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

Caloundra

Inshore and offshore reefs around the local area have been fishing well, with a solid mix of reef species including snapper, sweetlip, tuskfish, and cobia. Standout catches include snapper over 85 cm, along with consistent numbers of legal-size grass sweetlip and tuskies. Offshore mackerel activity has been quiet, with few recent reports, but the beaches have produced some good jewfish at night, along with bream, dart, and the occasional whiting in the low-tide gutters.

In the Passage, bream numbers and sizes have picked up as the spawning run continues, especially during the evenings with plenty of bait around. Mud crabs are still on the move and should remain active for another couple of weeks before cooler conditions slow them down. Flathead have been harder to find at the top end of the Passage since the breakthrough, with more consistent reports coming from the Donnybrook area.

Trevally and small queenfish have been active throughout the canals, with pontoons producing a variety of trevally species. A few jewfish have also been caught in the Passage, particularly around the military jetty and nearby structure.

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

Donnybrook

Pending

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

Northern Moreton Bay

Offshore, there have been consistent snapper catches off Hutchies Reef near North Moreton and around the Wild Banks and nearby artificial reefs. Spanish mackerel have been responding well to slow-trolled dead baits around Hutchies and the Trenches, while school mackerel continue to be caught in good numbers around the beacons, particularly at the mouth of the Brisbane River. Cobia and mac tuna have also been in the mix in the same areas.

In the shallows off Redcliffe, snapper are still showing up in that 3 to 5-metre range, with soft plastics proving effective. Flathead have been active at the mouth of both the Caboolture and Pine Rivers, and heading further upstream into the Passage and upper reaches of those rivers has produced school jew, grunter, and more flathead. Winter whiting have started to show at the Cockle Banks and off Scarborough.

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

Sandgate/Shorncliffe Pier

Still plenty of Mack Tuna being caught off Shorncliffe Pier, but early starts are essential, with the best action around 4 to 5 a.m. Whiting are already turning up, and this season looks set to be a cracker.

Young anglers are testing the waters and getting results, with whiting just the beginning—snapper is expected next. Tailor have been stirring things up in the area, with some great-sized fish caught on both fly and surface lures. The numbers should improve over the next month or so.

There was a solid session over at Clontarf chasing bream and flathead, with a good feed landed before an unfortunate slip on the rocks ended the day early.

To wrap up, an impressive 87cm jewfish was landed from Kedron Brook on light gear and was released to fight another day.

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

Brisbane River

Jewfish and flathead have been fishing well, possibly unaffected by the recent moon phase. There are plenty of prawns moving through from Combsby down to Hamilton and around the Gateway area, which may be helping to hold those predators in the system. Whiting, however, haven’t shown up in their usual numbers.

School mackerel have picked up slightly, with reports of consistent catches north of Peel Island and around the Hope Banks. Mud crabs have been active in the lower reaches of the Brisbane River and through the mangroves from the Wynnum boardwalk north toward Fisherman’s Island, with some decent hauls coming in from those muddy mangrove edges.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Some great quality winter fish have been turning up offshore, with solid catches of snapper, pearl perch, tuskfish, and amberjack reported across various reefs. The deeper reefs have been fishing particularly well on the slower tides, with the amberjack showing up in good numbers on the wider grounds.

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

Fishing at Shallow Tempest over the weekend was productive, with a variety of species biting throughout the area. Notably, a 45cm redfish was caught, showing potential for even larger fish in the future. The water was lively, highlighted by a decent-sized shark breaching while chasing a hooked fish nearby.

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

Bream, whiting, flathead, and school jew are being caught throughout Hayes Inlet, the Pine River, and Bramble Bay. Yellowfin whiting have been active in Hayes, the Pine, and along the eastern foreshores. Winter whiting are being caught off Woody Point Jetty and throughout Deception Bay. Snapper and tailor are showing up along the eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshore reefs. Tailor, school mackerel, mack tuna, longtail tuna, and the occasional cobia have also been reported in Bramble Bay and around Woody Point and Shorncliffe jetties.

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

Redland Bay

There have been some quality tailor around Cleveland Point at the top of the tide, along with good-sized bream in the Raby Bay canals. A few solid jewfish have also been taken around the western side of the Peel Island artificials. Good numbers of dart have been caught down the Main Beach stretch and further up around North Stradbroke Island. Diver whiting have been coming from the Rous and nearby canals, which have also produced some nice winter whiting.

Snapper have been active around Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef, with the occasional parrotfish showing up too. Three-spot crabs have been working extremely well as bait for the parrots in that area. As for crabs, there are still a few around — mostly sand crabs — but many are turning up empty throughout the bay. Prawns seem to have gone a bit quiet lately, with fewer reports coming in, although they’re still proving useful as live baits if you can get your hands on them.

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

Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin

The northern bay has been fishing quite well, with bait still holding around areas like Scarborough Reef, Redcliffe, the mouth of the Brisbane River, and Mud Island. These zones have produced solid snapper and pan-sized fish, with reports of longtail tuna also showing up off the Scarborough reef. Hopefully, the tuna schools continue pushing further south towards the South Passage area. Tuskfish have been reported along the ledge out from Moreton Island area.

Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef continues to fish well, especially for quality snapper — mostly pan-size — though sharks have been an issue at times. The shallow reefs around Peel and Macleay Islands are also producing, with some tailor, jewfish and threadfin salmon moving through the southern bay, although they’ve been difficult to track due to their speed chasing prawns. There are still plenty of prawns in the area.

Moving to Jacobs well/ the pin area the cleaner water has started to return with that nice blue-green tinge, improving the fishing conditions. Flathead are beginning to turn up in better numbers and size, with good areas on the high tide being around Crusoe Island and across the shallow flats where bait and bird activity are visible. Middle Bank and the top of Gold Bank have also been fishing well.

On the low tide, Flathead have been holding along the drop-offs and drainage points, particularly around Tiger Mullet Channel, the Five Ways, and Jacobs Well Channel. Good trevally have been taken on the run-out tide in these same areas. Bream numbers and size have started to build, with some chunky fish around the edges — particularly along short island but they haven’t really moved out to the pin bar in decent numbers just yet.

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

Jumpinpin

Tailor have been active around the bar during the early mornings, with pillies, whitebait, and metal lures all proving effective. Flathead have been coming from Tabby Tabby and Kalinga Bank, while whiting are being caught at the Pig Styes and through Fisherman’s Channel. Bream have been holding in the deeper water and around Swan Bay.

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

This week, the Pin produced strong numbers of jewfish, with reports indicating they’re around in plague proportions and taking just about anything. They’ve been caught right through the system from the Bar to Jacobs Well. Flathead have also been active and spread widely, with consistent numbers reported across most areas rather than being concentrated in any one spot. Prawns are still being caught, especially around the southern ends of Macleay and Russell Islands.

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

South Stradbroke Island

No report this week

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

Rain, big seas and onshore winds. It must be the weekend! Tough conditions this weekend but if you’re keen or in King of the pin fishing competition hopefully there’s a few fish around. Low tide early is great for flathead as they chase the bait off the drying banks. They have been caught this week along the Aldershots, Browns bay, Crab island, Carters bank and the mouth off the north arm of the Coomera river. Sand crabs are being caught in the same places just out a bit deeper in 2.5-5m depth. Whiting have been found around the red markers near Paradise Point boat ramp in the Coomera river and around the cut through in the northern arm. Another good area is the banks south of Russell island if you’re up that way. Prawns are still being caught but a bit more scattered so you will need to do some hunting to find the numbers.

David McDonald
Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

It was an absolute glass-out offshore over the weekend with little to no wind, though a huge swell rolled through, especially noticeable on the low tide at the seaway. Fishing was excellent, with Spanish mackerel, cobia, longtail tuna, pearl perch, trag, tuskfish, and jewfish all being caught. The standout catch was a 152cm cobia that took a live bait on a paternoster rig and was landed after a tough 45-minute fight.

Fishing was productive around 24 and 26 fathoms using cut pillies, live baits, lightly weighted pillies, and 50-gram spinning lazer lures. Snapper, cod, and various other reef species were also part of the catch.

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

The inshore fishing scene has gone quiet over the past week, likely due to the recent cold snap and consistent rainfall. While the fish are still there, they’ve been harder to tempt, with prawns seemingly going untouched and anglers feeling like they’re feeding more fish than they’re catching. The prawn run has stalled, and there’s been little movement from flathead or bream inshore, although with the cooler weather setting in, the bream activity should begin to pick up soon.

Offshore, the bite has been slightly better, with snapper holding on the close reefs, and not sitting too deep at the moment, which is a good sign for this time of year. However, beyond that, there hasn’t been much else reported. No crab activity has been noted either, and bait sales suggest more hope than success among local anglers. The cold weather is expected to stick around for a few more days, which could bring a shift in fish behaviour as we settle further into winter.

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

There’s been a bit of action along the coast lately, with reports of mack tuna and even a few Spanish mackerel moving in closer to shore. Some anglers have even managed to hook into them off the rocks, which is a welcome surprise. In the rivers, soapy jewfish have been active, and over the past couple of days there’s been a noticeable uptick in mangrove jack catches—potentially a sign of another short burst of activity. Big winter bream are also starting to show up, with some solid fish already being landed.

Offshore, things have been a little slower, but good-sized jewfish are still being taken off the headlands. Snapper are starting to appear on the reefs as well, with early signs of smaller fish showing up in deeper water. If this trend continues, it could point to a promising snapper season ahead.

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

Brunswick Heads

Fishing at Brunswick Heads has been limited offshore due to a strong easterly swell, making deep sea trips and beach fishing too rough for any consistent reports. However, the rock walls on the inside have held up well, producing good numbers of bream, dart, and the occasional jewfish. The river continues to fish strongly with quality catches of bream, flathead, blackfish, and even a few mangrove jacks still getting around. Mud crabs remain active with plenty being caught throughout the system.

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

Ballina

Offshore fishing looks to be off the cards this weekend, with rising swell and strong winds expected to persist until the middle of next week. These conditions will also make rock and beach fishing challenging. A few tailor had just started to show up, so now might be a good time to dust off the metal spinners and prep some rigs in readiness for a beach session once the swell eases. The rough conditions could still stir up a few mulloway along the breakwalls and rock platforms over the weekend.

Back in the river, the larger tides have pushed flathead further upstream, with quality fish being caught between the ferry and Pimlico Island, especially on the run-in tide. Bream have been holding closer to the mouth, taking mullet, prawns, and squid readily. Luderick numbers remain low, but a few are being taken on yabbies. Despite the cooler weather, mud crabs are still active in the main river and North Creek, with the larger night tides providing the best results.

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

Evans Head

Pending

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

Yamba

Fishing in the river system has remained much the same as recent weeks, with ongoing flood conditions keeping the water full of freshwater and the fishing fairly ordinary overall. Most of the reports have been limited to a few bream, plenty of catfish, and the occasional jewfish coming off the breakwall. There were also reports of longtail tuna spotted along the breakwall earlier this week, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

At the moment, the best option for anglers is to fish as close to the mouth as possible, where saltwater is likely to be pushing back in on the incoming tide. The cleaner water will generally be found deeper, with freshwater sitting on top, so focusing on deeper sections near the mouth gives you the best chance. Prawns and mullet strips have been the go-to bait, for bream. For jewies, anglers have also been using large soft plastics and big hardbody lures with success.

Offshore, when the weather has allowed, there have been some solid catches of snapper and pearl perch reported around Sandon and Brooms Head areas, and further north off Woody Head.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Wivenhoe Dam

Wivenhoe Dam has been producing some solid results over the past couple of weeks, with fish moving through the upper reaches around Hamon Cove and down to the buoy line in the southern end. Good bass and yellowbelly have been coming from around Platypus Cliffs and right up into Logans Inlet. Crankbaits have been the standout lures, especially those diving to the 2–3 metre mark. Spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits are also working well along the edges.

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

Moogerah Dam

At Moogerah Dam, the bass have been active right across the system. Crankbaits, lipless cranks, blades, and soft plastics are all doing the job. The Jackall Mask Vibe in particular has been getting results. Fish are spread out across the dam — from the timber and creek arms to the deeper water near the wall and up on the edges around Caravan Point.

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

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast has been performing well too. Bass are hitting surface lures like frogs and poppers, particularly early and late in the day, with subsurface spinnerbaits also working just under the surface. There are also bass being caught in deeper water on spoons, soft plastics, and slow-rolled metal vibes near submerged timber and deep points.

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

Kurwongbah/North Pine Dam

Freshwater fishing has been a little quiet, though Lake Kurwongbah has produced some bass along the edges on spinnerbaits. At North Pine Dam, bass have been coming from the deeper water on trolled hard bodies and metal spoons.

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

North Pine Dam has seen some encouraging land-based bass fishing lately. As the water cools, bass tend to hold deeper, but those walking the banks are having success on metal spoons, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics slowly retrieved along the bottom near deeper drop-offs and accessible points.

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