Fishing Report for 7th August 2025

Fishing Report Thu 07 Aug 2025

Please Note the Snapper and Pearl Perch closure in Queensland Tidal waters from 15 July to 15 August.

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

Hervey Bay / Fraser Island

On the Fraser side, from Red Canyon beaches up to Indian Head and Woody Point, fishing has been steady. Orchard Beach hasn’t seen many tailor yet, but some have been caught over the past week. There’s been a lot of camping on Fraser, with plenty using pillies or 40 to 50-gram metal lures, which have been producing good tailor.

Inside Fraser, from Wootomba down to Rooneys and Moon Ledge, a few big 20-kilogram longtail tuna have been caught recently. There are also some big queenfish around. Whales are in large numbers now, so keep an eye out, especially when driving at night.

Flathead and whiting are holding from Wootomba down to Moon Ledge. The flats have been fishing well, with bait pushed close to shore, which has fired up both whiting and flathead. Out wider at the 25-fathom hole, there have been lots of Spanish mackerel and heaps of snapper caught, although the snapper season is still closed. Cod, trout, and good-sized grass emperor are also being caught in those areas.

Out deep, dropping past Breaksea at around 200 to 300 metres, pearl perch, bar cod, flame tail, and ruby snapper have been taken in the same deep-water range. Inshore reefs have been quiet, with a few grass sweetlip, smaller cod, trout, queenfish, and some golden trevally caught around Big Woody, Picnic, and Little Woody Islands.

In river systems like Mary, Burrum Heads, and Toogum, fishing has been exceptional for flathead. It’s probably one of the best seasons seen. Plenty of feeding flathead of good size are around, with tailor and blue salmon also doing well throughout these systems.

At Urangan Pier, catches have been light recently. Pike are being caught along with some big tiger sharks. Big longtail tuna, good-sized flathead, a few grunter, and queenfish are also showing. Usual bread and butter species like bream and whiting are present too.

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

Tin Can Bay

Pending

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

Maroochydore

Bream and whiting are being caught throughout. Jewfish and trevally are around the cod hole, with mangrove jack showing in the upper reaches.

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

Noosa

North Reef, Sunshine Reef, and Chardons have had prime weather all week. Plenty of snapper and pearl perch are being caught and released. Other species filling the esky include sweetlip, cod, cobia, big goldband snapper, Moses perch, Spanish mackerel, and tuskfish. Fishing depths have been between 30 and 55 metres. As an added bonus there have been plenty of whales spotted while out there.

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

Fishing over the weekend was exceptional. Bigger flathead were thick through most parts of the river. Early this week was tougher with the smaller tidal range, but fish were still caught during short bite windows. The building moon has fired things up again. This weekend should fish well in the lower estuary for flathead. The bream spawn is winding down, so the bigger models have slowed up a bit.

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

Fishing was good every day until the wind and swell picked up. There were solid catches of tuskfish, maori cod, goldband snapper, sweetlip, goldspot cod, cobia, and longtail tuna from North and Chardons Reefs. Looks like fishing won’t be possible until about Tuesday when the swell drops.

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

Around the Noosa River, fishing has been a bit slow lately. Whiting and bream are showing well, but trevally have been quiet. The back canals near Noosa Sound hold plenty of mud crabs, along with whiting and some good bream. The Toowonton area still has the odd bream and a few solid flathead. Up at Makepeace, there are plenty of mud crabs, but overall fishing remains slow.

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

Mooloolaba

Spanish mackerel are being caught on big baits north of Old Woman’s Island. Garfish are near Labalsa Park in the Mooloola River. Bream are spread throughout the Mooloola River. There are good numbers of grassy sweetlip on the close-in reefs off Mooloolaba. Cobia have been caught at Murphys Reef. Along the beaches, fishing has been slow due to the massive swell.

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

Grass emperor, tuskfish, and various tropical sea perch species are around Hancock Shoal. Tuskfish, hussar amberjack, and jewfish are found on and near the Barwon Banks.

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

Caloundra

Pending

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

The snapper closure is nearly over. Inshore fishing’s been solid. Big bream, tailor and flathead have been going well in the Passage. Trevally and queenfish are turning up in the canals too.

There’s been tailor, the odd jew and some decent bream off the beaches. Best stretch has been from Bokarina up to the headlands at Dicky and Moffat. Down Happy Valley and up the odd gutter, there’s been good tailor with a bit of size to them.

If you’re chasing sweetlip, there has been some solid ones out at the local inshore reefs, along with tuskfish. They were targeting them specifically, bottom bashing with squid hard on the bottom to avoid the snapper.

School mackerel are just starting to show up. August into September is usually when they really fire up, so it’s looking like there’ll be some fun ahead.

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

Northern Moreton Bay

There have been a couple of Spanish mackerel trolled up around Moreton, and it looks like there are some schools around as well, which is a bit unusual.

A few jewfish are still being caught, but not in large numbers. Some are showing around the Pine and Caboolture Rivers. Flathead between 50 and 70 centimetres have been spotted from the mouths right up the rivers, with good numbers and size in the Pine, Caboolture, and the Passage.

Mud crabs are starting to move back into their usual spots in the canals at Newport. The rivers are busy, including the Caboolture River, the Passage, and the canals. Whiting are being caught at the Cockle Banks, with people bagging out when the weather allows using wrigglers.

A few small trevally are turning up in the river systems, with the Pine River probably fishing best at the moment. Tailor are still around, and there’s more activity picking up further north towards Caloundra, especially off the beaches.

Redcliffe has been slow due to closures, but threadfin salmon are being caught in the Pine and Caboolture Rivers.

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

Sandgate/Shorncliffe Pier

Flathead are being caught in good numbers and size. Jewfish are also showing up, with an 80cm fish landed at Shorncliffe Pier (safely released) on a Rapala Heavy Hitter. Yellowtail pike, tailor, flounder and tuna are active. Vibes and soft plastics are working well. Landing bigger fish at the pier is tough, with many heading straight for the pylons.

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

Brisbane River

There should be a few mackerel starting to pop up soon, it’s worth having a look around Hope Banks. Tailor, bream, and flathead have been fishing well in the Brisbane river. Whiting have been OK towards the back, but reports have been patchy due to weed.

Flathead and tailor in the river have been very consistent, especially through the lower reaches. Whiting are being caught around the old Compass Adjustment Buoy and on the eastern side of Fisherman’s Island.

Other areas have been a bit quiet. There are still a few cuttlefish and squid around Wellington Point. If you’re chasing them, try seven metres of water off Wellington Point or Green Island, or get up into the weed banks in shallower water.

For land-based fishos, everyone heads to Shorncliffe Pier, but the river jetties are fishing alright too. The jetty near BrewDog under the Gateway Bridge is a good option. Flathead and bream are regulars there, and in summer, it can be a great spot for threadfin salmon and jewfish on live bait.

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 been caught in Hayes, the Pine, Bramble Bay, off Woody Point jetty, and near Scarborough. Yellowfin whiting are present in Hayes and around some structures in Bramble Bay. Winter whiting, flathead, tailor, and school jew are active north of Scarborough, in Deception Bay, and Bramble Bay. Tailor and school jew are being caught off the eastern beaches, jetties, rocky points, and inshore areas. Coming southeast winds should improve land-based fishing around the Peninsula.

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

Nth Stradbroke Island

Whiting are being caught all around Darcy Light, Small Sand Hills, Rous Channel, and Maroon Hole. Tailor are showing near the mouth of the Brisbane River and Manly Rock Wall. Squid are around Green Island.

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

Tailor have been showing around Hope Banks and the channel. There’s bream in the Ray Bay canals. Some whiting are around Blue Hole and the Sandhills. Land-based anglers have been catching bream throughout the area, along with tailor off Cleveland Point.

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

Moreton Bay/ Jumpinpin

Pending

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

Jumpinpin

This week saw decent catches of tailor and flathead around the Pin, with better-sized flathead taking larger bait presentations. Jewfish are turning up as bycatch while targeting flathead on and around sandbanks. Whiting are around in good numbers, though many are undersized.

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

South Stradbroke Island

No need to travel far from Paradise Point boat ramp. Jewfish, tailor and flathead have been caught around Sovereign Island. With strong southeasterlies and rain predicted, it’s a good spot to fish over the next few days. The bridge offers rain cover, and the northern side and canals give good wind protection. High tides are lining up with sunrise.

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

Gold Coast Broadwater

Very challenging conditions this weekend with strong SE winds and rain Saturday and Sunday. Probably best to stay off the water but still whiting up the upper reaches of Nerang and Pimpama rivers if you want to hide out of the wind. Fishing up the canals will be protected from the winds as another option. Still the usual winter options with squid, flathead and tailor inside the seaway. The beach is difficult at the moment with the big seas. A few dart along main beach Stradbroke with whiting, bream and dart along Flinders beach.

David McDonald
Private Angler | Runaway Bay Marina

Southport

Offshore
It was a bit tough offshore this week. Thursday was the standout with calm winter conditions and hungry fish. There were some big Longtail tuna around, along with mixed reefies like tusk fish and Moses perch. A couple of days after that were fishable but rough. Then the swell shut things down for the rest of the week.

Inshore
Plenty of flathead and bream caught on fresh yabbies and quality frozen whitebait. Next week looks windy, so offshore isn’t promising. You’ll be better of chasing more flatties, squid, bream and anything else inside the rivers.

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

Not much offshore fishing at the moment with the big swell, so most of the focus has been around the seaway and Broadwater. There are plenty of jewfish and heaps of luderick in the seaway right now. In the Broadwater, there are good numbers of GTs and tarpon, and flathead are really starting to show up in solid numbers, both on the banks and in the deeper water. There are also plenty of arrow squid in the Broadwater, along with a good number of garfish. Up in the rivers, bream are around in good numbers, and there have been some decent flathead caught as well.

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

Tweed Coast

Last weekend saw quality fish coming off the 24 and 30 fathom grounds east of Fingal. Swell is up this week, so offshore options are limited for now.

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

The weather and swell have been unpredictable, so offshore reports have been limited. Longtail tuna are still around, and snapper are being caught from Cook Island out to the wider grounds. Pearl perch are showing up in similar areas across the border in New South Wales.

There have been some big tailor off the beaches, both in size and numbers. Large flathead are coming from the upper reaches of the rivers, and solid bream are still widespread. A few big jewfish have been taken off the headlands and in the beach gutters while targeting tailor. Dart are also coming off the beaches.

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

Brunswick Heads

The weather’s been shocking this past week with big sweeps and heavy winds, so no deep sea report. Same for the rock and beach fishing. Too wild to bother. The river’s been fishing well though. Plenty of bream and blackfish around, and they’re good size. There are muddies about, but most are empty.

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

Ballina

Pending

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

Evans Head

Along Air Force Beach, there have been some good tailor and jewfish, with the occasional bream and flathead caught in the gutters. Around the north of South Wall, longtail tuna and mackerel tuna have been hanging near the front.

There’s also been good numbers of luderick in the rivers, along with bream and flathead. Whiting have been around but a bit quieter than usual. Due to the weather, with 4-metre swells and wind, not many have ventured offshore.

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

Yamba

In the river, we’re still catching plenty of bream and flathead, probably getting even better again. They’ve definitely spread out a bit now, from the mouth right up to McLean. Starting to hear more reports of good flathead up on the flats too, around that 60cm mark. But most of the fish are still sitting a bit deeper with the cooler water.

There’s been the odd whiting about, but not heaps. Still picking up a few grunter in the river as well. The jewfish have gone a bit quiet, though I reckon there’s still schools moving through. The big swell might have pushed a few back onto the walls and rocks too.

Not much happening offshore. Too rough for most people to get out. One guy had a crack at crabbing, but didn’t find much. Might just be a bit too cold for them at the moment.

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

FRESHWATER FISHING

Wivenhoe Dam

Wivenhoe Dam is still fishing well. Fish are being caught out of Logan’s Inlet, outer Hammond Cove, and Billy’s Bay. They’re still moving around, with signs they’re starting to school up. It’s worth searching both the main basin, in depths from 25 to 40 feet, and the edges like Platypus Cliffs and rocky areas near the buoy line. Fish are holding off the banks where it drops from 10 to 15 feet into deeper water.

In deeper areas, try metal spoons or soft plastics on heavy jig heads to get them down. Around the edges, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, small crankbaits, and lipless crankbaits are the go. The TN60 and 50mm Jackall lures are good options.

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

Moogerah Dam

Moogerah Dam is also fishing well, though pressure has made the fish move around more. If a spot gets busy, the fish tend to shift quickly. Try the spit, the creek, and the timbered edges. Use metal spoons and soft plastics in deeper water, and chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, and blades around the edges. Jerkbaits are worth using around weed edges this time of year, the slower you fish them, the better. Cast out, give it a couple of twitches, let it sit, and often you’ll get hit on the pause.

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

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast is fishing well. There were some quality bass caught there last weekend, including several fish over 50cm. Spinnerbaits and jerkbaits have been working around the trees, with lipless crankbaits along the edges. In deeper water near the dam wall, try metal spoons or heavy soft plastics slow-rolled to get a reaction.

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

Hinze Dam is still fishing well. As long as the barometer keeps rising, the fish should stay active. Focus on the points to find the schools and fish them using soft or hard vibes.

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

Maroon Dam

Maroon Dam has re-opened and is fishing well. The key here is getting there early for a topwater bite. Even in winter, you’ll get fish on surface lures like poppers and creature baits if the water’s calm and quiet. As the sun gets higher, switch to chatterbaits, small soft plastics, vibration baits like blades, and lipless crankbaits. In the main basin, there’s an area called the nursery, up the back on the left before the creek entrance. It usually holds smaller bass, but the odd 50cm fish comes out of there. Also try over the dam wall and along the rocky edges with chatterbaits and metal blades. These rocks hold heat and attract bass during winter.

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

North Pine Dam

Good bass are being caught by targeting the schools with soft plastics. There have also been a few yellowbelly coming from the same dam, with heavy weighted plastics slow-rolled along the bottom doing the trick.

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

Lake Lenthalls – Lake Monduran

The dams have been pretty quiet over the past week or two, likely due to cold water temperatures causing the fish to shut down and get spooky. Instead of bigger lures, fishing smaller plastics have been working better. Many anglers using live scopes are spooking fish at the surface when the big lure hits the water.

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