Fishing Report for 30th October 2025

## Upcoming Tidal fish closers reminder ##

Barramundi closed season in tidal waters from 1 November to 31 January. Check the full list of closures and details on the Queensland Fisheries website: https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fishing/rules/closures

Hervey Bay / Fraser Island

Along Fraser, from Indian Head down to Waddy Point and Orchad beach plus all the way down past Kingfisher, there’s been steady action on the beaches. Tailor are around in smaller schools, but the fish being caught are good-sized greenbacks. Chopper Tail and other bigger Tailor are showing up consistently. Whiting, Dart and Whiting have also been coming from the surfside beaches.

Inside Fraser, quality Black Marlin are still being caught, particularly around Rooneys, Wathumba and Station Hill. This weekend, the Heavy Tackle and Light Tackle Game Comp is on, bringing a lot of anglers to the area, so reports from the Marlin fishery should improve next week.

Offshore, bottom-bashing and deep-dropping from 100 to 300 metres have produced good-sized Coral Trout, Flametail, Ruby Snapper, Bar Cod, and the occasional Snapper. Reef species like Red Throat and other reef fish are still being caught, and a few Sailfish have been reported past Break Sea. Along the gutters, Snapper, Coral Trout, Bar Cod, Cobia and Spanish Mackerel are showing, with most Spanish Mackerel taking floating whole pillies on gang hooks.

Big Coral Trout are moving onto the inshore reefs, with good-sized Grunter, Whiting, Flathead, Threadfin Salmon and Barramundi active in the creeks of the Barren River. Similar activity is seen in the Mary River system.

Down the straights, Flathead, Whiting, Grunter, Queenfish, Golden Trevally and Spotted Mackerel are being caught, with many anglers using soft plastics.

At the pier, baitfish are still abundant, with mainly Mac Tuna, the odd Longtail Tuna and some very good Flathead up to 80cm.

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

Tin Can Bay

With balmy days and storms looming, anglers are getting out into the creeks to chase Mangrove Jack and Cod, as Barramundi are about go into closed season. Jack’s are firing in creeks including TeeBar, Carlo, Kauri and Crab Creek. Prawn-style lures around 3–4 inches and hard bodies like Redic DS80 are all producing well. As always a well presented live Herring or Poddy Mullet will also get eaten. Cod are making themselves known as a welcome bycatch. Flathead are productive on the run-out tide in the mornings, particularly from Crab Creek down to Norman Point for the land based Crew, with 4–5 inch soft plastics working best.

Land-based anglers can also target Gar on the high tide at Norman Point, along with good Whiting and Bream. For fishos fishing in The Bay & further up the Great Sandy Straights, Whiting are active around Ida & Pannikin Is. and the mouth of Dinnies Creek. The southern flat out the front of Kauri Ck has been producing good whiting with Yabbies and Beach Worms working best. Get the pots is for a feed of muddies. Fresh baits with long soaks recommended.

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

Noosa

North Reef is still producing plenty of Cobia, Pearl Perch, Tuna, Moses Perch and Squire, though sharks are making some catches difficult. The Barwon Banks have yielded big Pearl Perch, AJ’s, Snapper and Moses Perch around the 70-metre mark.

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

A few good Flathead have been landed in Cooroibah, with plenty of Grunter and a few Trevally around the Woods Bays. Whiting are being caught on the sand flats along Gympie Terrace.

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

Some nice Pearl Perch, Snapper, Tuskfish and Goldband are being caught up towards Double Island Point. Closer to home, North Reef is fishing well with good numbers of Cobia still around, along with Sweetlip and Moses Perch.

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

There’ve been plenty of Whiting and Trevally around the top of Noosa Woods area, with Mud Crabs showing along the mangrove edges up around the back of the sound near the houses. Tewantin has been fishing well with good numbers of Trevally and a surprising run of Tailor for this time of year. Towards Makepeace has been quiet for some reason, but between Noosa and Tewantin the fishing has been excellent, while most other areas have stayed fairly quiet.

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

Maroochydore

Bream and Whiting are active at the river mouth, Flathead are being caught in Eudlo Creek, and Mud Crabs are showing in the middle to upper reaches.

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

Mooloolaba

Offshore, School Mackerel have been active around Currimundi Reef, while Murphys Reef has produced some excellent Cobia. A few Spanish Mackerel have been showing up around the Outer Gneerings, and anglers fishing the Barwon Banks have picked up Wahoo, along with Redthroat Emperor and Venus Tuskfish on the western side.

In the rivers, the warmer temperatures have stirred up Mangrove Jack around structure. There are still some good Flathead being caught at the mouths of both the Mooloolah and Maroochy Rivers. At Kawana, particularly in the Pocket, Whiting have been on the bite. Mud Crabs are also starting to show throughout the Maroochy River.

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

Caloundra

Fishing west of the Barwon Banks in 40 to 50 metres of water, anglers were mostly anchored, allowing baits to be floated back in the water column. This produced a bag limit of Snapper and Pearl Perch. Windy conditions have limited offshore trips for much of the week, but conditions are expected to improve. Mackerel are anticipated to arrive soon in the Caloundra Bowl, offering some exciting opportunities.

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

Conditions have been fairly similar to last week. Along the stretch from Kawana down to Happy Valley, Whiting, Bream, Dart and Flathead are around. The Whiting are still biting well, and the Flathead numbers have been holding steady. In the canals, Mangrove Jack have really come on with the warmer temps, and a few Mud Crabs are starting to move.

Offshore action’s been slower with the weather, with plenty of fish holding on the 12 Mile. Closer in, the reefs are giving up a few Sweetlip, Tusk Fish, Cobia and School Mackerel. Spanish, Spotted Mackerel and some Wahoo are showing on the 3, 5 and 7 Mile off Caloundra, and there’s been some surface commotion with Bonito, Mack Tuna and the odd Longtail feeding in the mix.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

The weather’s looking stormy, but mornings have been decent for a run. Plenty of Spanish Mackerel are being caught off Hutchies on slow-trolled dead and live baits. Around the FADs off North Moreton, there’ve been a few Dolphin Fish showing up, and the North Moreton artificial reef has produced good Snapper on lightly weighted soft plastics.

Inside the Bay, the northern areas are holding plenty of Mack Tuna with a few Longtail Tuna mixed in. In the southern Bay, School Mackerel have been active around the Harry Atkinson artificial reef. Closer in around Redcliffe and Scarborough, anglers are still finding good Snapper and Grunter in the shallows.

At the mouth of the Pine and Caboolture Rivers, Flathead have been caught on the outgoing tide. The warmer weather has also brought on Mangrove Jack in the Caboolture River and creeks throughout the Pumicestone Passage, especially around Ningi and Coochin Creek. Mud Crabs have been moving well with the rain, particularly in the middle reaches of the creeks.

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

Sandgate/Shorncliffe Pier

Over 35 Flathead have been caught in just three short sessions on the Shorncliffe Pier, with only two undersized. Most were taken on lures, mainly the Rapala Suspect in Whiting colour and the Shimano Glimmer in Crystal, while two were caught on Hardy Heads. A few solid Bream are also about, with one going 34 cm off Clontarf Pier. A nice Flounder was caught alongside a 59 cm Flathead in the same area. For those chasing Flathead, the new Flattie Fingers, a handy alternative to traditional lip grips.

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

Brisbane River

Threadfin and Jewfish have been caught around the Port of Brisbane, with Bream, Squire and Flathead showing along the rock walls. The weather’s been ordinary, so there hasn’t been much more reported on other species, including Mackerel, though more updates are expected once conditions settle.

Sand Crabs have been fishing very well from Manly Harbour and the Manly Leads down to Darcy Light, covering the eastern side of Fishermans Island as well as the Boat Pasage, Green and King island.

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

Moreton Bay Offshore

Snapper and Pearl Perch are being caught along the 25-fathom line east of South Passage Bar, with a few Tuskfish and Moses Perch also showing.

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

Redcliffe Peninsula

Plenty of School Jew and Grunter are active around the peninsula. Mangrove Jack are showing in the Pine River and the canals. Yellowfin Whiting are being caught in Hayes, the Pine, Bramble Bay, off Margate Beach, Scarborough and around the groynes at Brighton. Grunter are active in Hayes, the Pine, on the inshore reefs and in the canals. Bream and Snapper are coming from the jetties and inshore reefs. Flathead are being caught in the Pine, Hayes, Bramble Bay, off the northern beaches, in Deception Bay and around the groynes at Brighton. Sand Crabs are moving well in Bramble Bay and off the eastern foreshores.

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

Whiting have been caught land-based at Wellington Point, with some good fish coming through. Out in the Rous Channel, anglers are finding both Whiting and Mackerel. It’s also worth checking around the waterfront and Green Island for Crabs.

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

Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin

No report this week.

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

Jumpinpin

The Pin Bar has been producing many large Jewfish and Flathead rising from the depths. Anglers have been using lures for these species, with 3–5″ paddle tails on 1oz jigheads, as well as similar-sized prawn and grub-style soft plastics. Vibes are also working well for both species. Flathead are scattered throughout other areas of the Pin, taking a variety of presentations. Giant Trevally are moving through the area, with faster-moving lures generally provoking bites.

South Stradbroke Island

With the warm water and stormy conditions, Mangrove Jack are biting well around the weirs on Saltwater Creek and near the pontoons of waterfront houses at Paradise Point in the southern branch of the Coomera River. Dark-coloured soft plastics and live Herring or Poddy Mullet are working best. The northern branch of the Coomera River is producing good-sized Whiting, while Flathead are being caught around Aldershot and Never Fail Islands.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

A few showers but not too bad, hopefully, this weekend. Low tide falls in the middle of the day, which is perfect for chasing flathead. There are still plenty being caught in the 40–50cm range on the flats.

The best spots this week have been Crab and Rat Island, Browns Bay, the mouth of the Pimpama River, and up into Jacobs Well Channel. Jacks have turned on this week, with a lot of people catching them, especially after that hot spell. They are one of the hardest fighters, which makes chasing them even more fun. Many times you come home empty-handed, but it’s worth it when you see that dark red colour in the net. Storms are predicted on Sunday, which should get them fired up. Combine that with an early evening high tide, and it will be a perfect recipe for success.

Whiting are having a great run at the moment, with the Nerang River holding strong numbers. It’s a different kind of river, fishing among high rises and canals, but it’s a great system for whiting. The banks around Wavebreak had a few for those wading the high tide. Up towards Jacobs Well has also produced some great-sized fish over the last week. Green and gold banks around Tiger Mullet Channel and the big bank south of Russell Island are holding fish. Crabs are on the move, and that bit of rain during the week will only help.

David McDonald  Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

Cobia, Blue Spot Flathead, Tuskfish and Tuna are the main catches, with plenty of bait around. The water temperature has warmed, bringing on the summer pelagic bite. Fishing was limited early in the week due to wind and swell, but conditions have eased, though anglers still need to watch for them afternoon storms.

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

Tweed Coast

In the Tweed River, Flathead are about in good numbers from the golf course through to Condong. Whiting have also turned up in solid numbers, mostly taking yabbies. Trevally are now showing in big numbers as well, with a mix of GTs and Golden Trevally being caught. Mangrove Jack have fired right up with the warmer water, and there’ve been some quality fish among them.

Offshore, the close reefs are producing Mackerel and Wahoo, particularly off Nine Mile. Around the Mud Hole, Snapper are still biting well from Tweed through to Byron on the inshore reefs and out to the 36s. Longtail Tuna are schooling in good numbers, with Yellowfin Tuna holding further south in about 700 metres of water.

Along the beaches, there’s been plenty of bait, drawing in Whiting, Flathead and Bream, with the odd Tailor mixed in. Mulloway have been quieter this week along the rock walls, though Brunswick has produced a few solid fish off their rock walls.

In the upper reaches of the Tweed, the brackish sections have been fishing well for Bass, with plenty caught from Currumbin Valley through to Uki.

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

Brunswick Heads

Deep sea fishing is producing good-sized Kingfish on Nomad knife jigs, along with a few Snapper, Pearl Perch and sharks. On the beaches, Dart, Bream, Flathead and Whiting are being caught. After over 140mm of rain, the rock walls are yielding giant Jewfish, Tailor, Bream and Dart. In the rivers, Blackfish, Bream, Flathead and Whiting are active, and Mangrove Jack are starting to fire up again. Mud Crabs are also beginning to appear in good numbers following the rain.

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

Ballina

Possible thunderstorms over the weekend may slow fish activity. Offshore opportunities have been limited this week, with only a few boats venturing out. The current has been strong, but some snapper, trag, and flathead have been caught on the 32s. A couple of crews also headed out wide trolling for marlin and tuna. On the beaches, flathead, dart, and whiting have been biting, with pilchards, worms, and pippies all doing the job. A few quality tailor are still hanging around near the river mouth, taking hard-body lures and metal spinners. In the river, small tides and wind have made fishing tricky. Some mud crabs and bream are coming from up river around the ferry, while better numbers of flathead are between Pimlico Island and the mouth, and in the lower parts of North Creek. Cooler conditions have pushed more flathead up onto the sand flats. The cooler weather has also slowed the jacks, with just a few small fish taken at night up river from the ferry and around Prospect Bridge. Bass fishing has been inconsistent with the rain and slightly discoloured water from Lismore, though surface lures, chatterbaits, and crankbaits have all produced at times.

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

Evans Head

Along Airforce Beach, there are still a few Tailor about in the mornings and evenings, along with the odd Jewfish. During the day, anglers have been finding good Bream, the occasional Flathead and some Whiting. Down around the breakwalls, there’s also been a mix of Bream, Flathead and Whiting.

Further upstream, Bream, Flathead and Whiting are still about, with some good Mud Crabs being caught as well and the odd Mangrove Jack. Offshore has been quiet with the recent weather, but conditions are looking better heading into the weekend.

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

Yamba

Fishing’s still going strong with plenty of big Flathead caught, including plate-sized fish up to around 59cm. Mangrove Jack have fired up with the warmer weather, and anglers are getting into a few nice ones. A Bass comp up the river saw some solid catches, and overall the Bass fishing has been very good. The rivers are still producing well, though offshore has been a bit tougher with the wind making it hard to get out. There’ve been a few reports of Snapper and Kingfish, but activity has slowed slightly with the weather. Still no word on any Crabs being caught yet.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Wivenhoe Dam

At Wivenhoe Dam, Bass are starting to fire up, with good captures reported from Billy’s Bay across to the Platypus Cliffs, down to the Boiler and back. Metal spoons in deeper water, spinnerbaits along the edges, Chatterbaits, lipless crankbaits or Jackal Trygon and TN60s are all producing fish.

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

Moogerah Dam

Moogerah Dam is also fishing well, with Bass moving toward the edges in 24 to 30-foot water. Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits along the edges and around trees are all working effectively.

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

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam has been fishing really well, with Bass and Saratoga active throughout the weekend. Fish are holding around the trees along both the western and eastern arms, particularly close to the banks. Early morning, topwater lures, Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits are all producing, while blades can work in deeper water if fish are out there. Starting around the trees and pushing along the edges is giving good results.

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

North Pine Dam/ Lake Kurwongbah

Bass are fishing well at both Lake Kurwongbah and North Pine, with deeper points producing on lipless cranks and trolled hard bodies. At Lake Kurwongbah, the bite’s been strongest early and late in the day, with Bass and Saratoga taking surface lures.

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

Lake Samsonvale/ Lake Kurwongbah

Lake Samsonvale’s north side has been fishing very well from the bank. Metal spoons around 20 grams and light, natural-coloured spinnerbaits have been working effectively off the edges.

Lake Kurwongbah has seen good Bass and Saratoga catches, with topwater frogs especially productive over the weeds. As the day progresses, edges of the weed beds can be fished with metal blades and chatterbaits for Bass, while Saratoga continue to take surface lures early in the morning.

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

Maroon Dam

Maroon Dam has a strong early morning and late afternoon topwater bite. During the day, fish can be found in the back of the creeks using spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, small crankbaits or blades. In the main basin, soft plastics like paddle tails on jig heads are working well around trees and weed beds.

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

Ewen Maddock

Ewen Maddock Dam has been fishing well for Bass on spinnerbaits.

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

Lake Lenthalls – Lake Monduran

In the freshwater, Lake Lenthalls has been quiet, but Monduran has been firing with plenty of Barramundi caught. Anglers are trolling deep-diving hard bodies around the main basin, or fishing at night using live scope and large plastics from 5 to 8 inches, slow-rolled to target schools of fish

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

THIS WEEK’S GALLERY

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Fishos Tackleworld

The Chandlery Bait & Tackle

Deep Sea Fishing Co

Noosa Bluewater Charters

Salty Fishing Charters

High Calibre Charters

BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters