Fisho's Weekly Fishing Report – 29th August, 2025
by Fisho's Tackle World Hervey Bay 29 Aug 07:00 BST
Jake and Ash enjoyed a brilliant midday session on inshore snapper over the new moon © Fisho's Tackle World Hervey Bay
Get Set for a Spring to Remember
It was a mix of light and moderate winds over the past week that saw boaties enjoying calm enough seas to head wide on non-consecutive days. The dark of the moon really turned the fish on too, so it was smiles all round, from the inshore reefs and estuaries to the wide blue yonder.
Today offers the best conditions for long-range boating escapades until the working week rolls around and another window opens for those unburdened with standard work rosters. Tonight's gentle north-wester will be followed by a building south-wester tomorrow, that is expected to peak at around 20 knots by late morning and maintain that strength through the remainder of Saturday.
Sunday is only marginally better, with 15-20 knots from the south tending 15 knots from the south-east late morning. Conditions will cool as cloud cover increases prior to the arrival of light showers from Sunday onwards. Lighter onshore winds to 10 knots are expected Monday into mid-week, so boating conditions will improve, even if the odd shower dampens your enthusiasm.
The passing of the new moon means the moon is waxing again. We are in the midst of another round of neap tides, courtesy of Sunday's first quarter phase, so expect very little run in the tide until the full moon draws nearer. Not the best weather forecast for the weekend or the start of next week, but better than many past weeks, so get out and enjoy the last of winter and the start of spring. This will be one to remember, where we can reap the rewards of a decent wet season last year, dramatically reduced netting pressure and the resultant surge in life in our marine ecosystems.
Pier Fisho's Rejoice - The Herring Are Back!
Finally, after what must've been a two-month hiatus, the Urangan Pier's waters are again alive with herring. Their return has seen an immediate reappearance of several pelagic species, all there to predate on the hapless herring.
Leading the charge has been schools of mac tuna and a few decent broad-barred mackerel, along with a mix of barely legal or undersized school mackerel and tailor. The odd queenfish has returned already too, as have the big longtail tuna the locals all expect to catch out there this time of year.
Flathead continue to pounce on live baits of herring (or better still, pike) plonked up-current of the pylons in the first channel or out along the slope nearer the deep end. Numbers of undersized jewfish continue to excite the kids and others as they scoff live baits and jigged lures with reckless abandon. A decent run of bream was reported over the darks too, biting mostly at night on the last of the flood tide.
This renewal of piscatorial riches at the pier is long overdue, and certainly welcomed by local regulars and visitors alike. The only late August fish still missing in action is the sand whiting, but they aren't far away. In fact, they are just to the south of the pier in some numbers, as found by those fishing either side of Urangan Harbour over the new moon.
Quality 'ting to 35cm have been reported from the beaches and mudflats down that way, along with plenty of fat bream to the same length or better. Even a few decent grunter have made an appearance along town beaches over the darks, so it turns out that those special tides, as alluded to in last week's report, produced the goods after all.
Coming weeks will see serious numbers of whiting gather along the town beach strip from Urangan to Scarness. Most of the action will be centred around the rock groynes and Shelley Beach, or at the Urangan Pier, but turning your attention to areas away from the crowds can see you catching numbers in peace elsewhere too. Don't expect too much action over the neaps (unless this brief little northerly stirs them up) and prepare for a primarily nocturnal bite until our waters colour-up a little from future bouts of northerly wind.
Try the local creeks for flathead over the neaps, or see if you can tempt an even cooler estuarine predator. Wander the banks of Beelbi if it's queenfish that light your fire. They are only small fish, but great fun for the kids on topwater or plastics. The rocky peninsula at River Heads will see some action this week, from flathead and jewies to blue salmon, bream, tailor and mackerel. Ample possibilities for land-based fishos, and there is plenty more options locally if you go exploring.
Snapper Turned It on Over the Darks
Inshore fishos had oodles of opportunities over the new moon when the weather permitted. Winter whiting fishos had a fat time catching a very good feed off Gatakers Bay, Scarness and down west of Woody Island. Numbers were decent and size was good, so most went home happy, with a great feed of tasty little morsels if not a bag limit.
Plenty of folks focussed on snapper while the tides were so good, and quite a few were rewarded with large fish. Select inshore hotspots fired during bankers' hours, with big knobbies taking well-presented baits and lures and no sharks in sight. Sadly, that wasn't the case everywhere, so those that got sharked hopefully moved on immediately so as not to waste these precious old fish.
The same big tides that spurred the close inshore snapper into action also turned them on up the island and out in the central bay. Sharks were a serious problem throughout many areas of Platypus Bay, but not everywhere. The 25 Fathom Hole gave up large fish, as did isolated outcrops and secret artificial reefs throughout the central bay.
The big tides that created this bite are behind us, and the next round of appealing tides isn't due until a few days before the full moon. In the meantime, snapper can still be caught by focussing on change of light periods and evening bites, and heading for deeper waters like the Fathom Hole, the Gutters and off Rooneys. Inshore fishos are still in the running, particularly given the inclement weather and cooler conditions on the way.
Snapper bycatch over the past week was a who's who of who else resides on our reefs this time of year. Big grunter were the most welcome for those hunting a feed of fresh seafood. Those grunter being common around various sites in the central bay, wide Platypus Bay, and beyond. A few fine nannies were a bonus for some, whilst others had to contend with the usual stray longtail or golden trevally and other members of the trevally clan.
Schoolies Late in Arriving
Whilst small numbers of juvenile school mackerel either side of legal are noted from around the traps inshore, the larger biomass of fish we expect to arrive in August remains conspicuous by their absence. They are on their way, and will inundate reefs and shipping channel waters soon enough, but at the time of writing, they are just plain old late.
Pro fishos keen to net them in the usual manner in the western bay have been hampered by the presence of humpbacks. The whales are more abundant than ever and absolutely prolific in deeper waters throughout the bay, but they are also showing up in quite shallow waters such as barely 5-6 metres off O'Regans Creek. Whales as far down as Kingfisher Bay have all local boaties on alert, so ensure you keep a good watch when boating on the bay or beyond.
Expect to be catching school mackerel in numbers from the various reefs and rubble grounds from Woodgate to Gatakers Bay and out at the Burrum 8 Mile or the Fairway in the very near future. They will make their way through our shipping channels, as well as across the banks, so don't get too attached to your favourite snapper lollies. Mackerel will invade the same waters favoured by winter whiting, offering whiting fishos something else to target in coming weeks.
Trollers will be in their element early in the mackerel season as they can track down fish that are yet to settle into an area. Trolling long slender diving minnow-style lures are the go for sheer simplicity, unless you wish to take on the paravane and spoon approach, or prefer to rig baits for your mackerel. Reaper Rigs make the bait rigging option simple enough these days, so get some and try them if that sounds like you.
Expect a few spanish mackerel to be hot on the heels of the larger schools of small schoolies entering our waters. There are already a few about, in the central bay, but more will arrive soon. In the meantime, it is the big cobia that are exciting quite a few fishos, as they scoff all manner of baits, live and dead, as well as trolled or jigged lures, and even other target species at times.
Northern Bay and Offshore Reefs Fished Well Over the New Moon
The Gutters is one such area where cobia abound at present. They join increasing numbers of various trevally species to delight sports fishos into a bit of jigging or plastic fishing. Of course, coral trout and snapper are of vastly greater appeal than pelagics for the majority of the fishos heading north for a feed, and both species bit well at the Gutters over the darks.
Beating the sharks has been a matter of keeping on the move when necessary and/or heading beyond the range of average-joe and finding unpressured country away from boating traffic. Some of those that made the effort last week were rewarded with solid red emperor by doing just that, as well as the usual trout, nannies and other tasty box fillers.
The waters east of Breaksea Spit are fishing particularly well at present. A lack of sharks on many tracts of the shoal country mean bottom-bashing efforts are not in vain and an unbeatable variety of tasty reef fish are being caught. Anything from green jobbies, big RTEs, reds, nannies and various cod are vying for space in eskies filling fast on slow drifts over endless country either side of 50 metres deep.
Heading wider and deep dropping has been the go for a few crews, and they did very well last week. The 100-metre line produced snapper and pearlies for those lucky enough to find a patch without sharks. This line remains the riskiest in that respect, yet the sheer biomass of fish that it hosts almost demands a visit, and it is manageable on conventional tackle if your muscles aren't painted on.
Think masses of snapper and pearlies joined by big schools of rosy jobfish and other jobbies, with big AJs hovering above. All this barely a clearing kick from 85 metres of water alive with big tuskies, even bigger reds and more hussar than you could poke a stick at. A wonderful scene that is only marred by the seemingly endless presence of sharks lately. Therefore, so great to hear someone enjoyed success along this once most popular haunt of the big charter boats of the past.
Heading wider and deeper paid off handsomely for some crews last week. 200 metres of water saw plenty of flamies, pearlies and bar cod hauled unceremoniously to the surface on deep drop tackle. Heading substantially deeper again put at least one crew in the domain of blue eye trevalla; a very welcome addition to an esky already brimming with tasty critters from the depths.
It was easy to get distracted by schools of yellowfin tuna whilst fishing those depths recently. More fish to 40 kilos were caught again this week. Some were caught trolling skirts, others caught working stickbaits or poppers. All exciting captures that tested tackle and angler, and especially leaders and hook-holds.
If you aren't already out there offshore today, then your next chance will roll around on Tuesday-Wednesday. The wind should ease enough and the swell abate, so monitor the latest and grab the chance if you can. It is brilliant fishing out there right now and not to be missed.
The tragic passing of the very popular Rob Smith from Smithy's Charters when his vessel rolled on the Mooloolaba bar this week is reminder enough for all boaties to respect the sea, and in particular our bar crossings. Smithy was highly experienced, yet this tragedy unfolded. Luckily for his crew, the incident occurred very close to shore. You can well imagine how much more tragic this might have been if it had happened at a remote location like Breaksea Spit. Smithy was a regular competitor in the annual Hervey Bay Game Fishing Club tournaments over the years. He will be dearly remembered by many longer term local game fishos and missed immensely. Our thoughts are with his family. Vale Smithy.
The Woodgate Beach Hotel Fishing Classic is on Again
Here’s an event not to miss fishos. The annual Woodgate Beach Hotel Fishing Classic is on again this September 19, 20 and 21. Perfectly timed to coincide with the start of the September school holidays, this event is one of the biggest on the local fishing calendar and a must-attend for all fishos that enjoy a well-run fishing comp and perhaps a few soothing ales.
The WBHFC is very much a family affair, with entertainment and events to keep the kids amused and their parents entertained. There will be much fun and laughter as a schedule of events unfold over the 3 days that see audience participation peaking. From best-dressed crews to various races and the actual fish weigh-ins and presentations, there will be no getting bored at this event.
If that isn’t good enough reason alone, there is over $120,000 in prizes up for grabs. Prizes include boating packages, holidays, 4X4 packages and of course, fishing gear. Fisho’s Tackle World is proud to maintain its status as a major sponsor, and Dane will be there for the whole event handing out prizes and advice to fishos.
Fishing-wise, what might be caught is a very long list indeed. From the estuaries to the reef, there are a host of key eligible species for the daily weigh-ins. The Woodgate surrounds fish very well in September, so if the weather turns it on, you can expect plenty of oohs and aahs from the crowds come weigh-in time. Even if the weather turns sour, you can still rely on the mighty Burrum system and other estuaries that are firing on all cylinders at present. Indeed, the WBHFC is such a special event in its own right that you would be mad to miss it regardless of weather.
Rivers and Straits Get More Exciting as Spring Arrives
The list of fish on offer in the Burrum system just gets longer as our days get longer. Spring is the most special time on the four rivers of this system and its waters are most inviting this year. A lack of commercial netting activity has seen fish numbers explode already and they will improve further. From bream to barra, there are ample target species in the Burrum and they are about to be joined by even more.
Jacks will take their sweet time to hit their straps, yet they remain catchable with enough effort. Bait fishos have the edge for now no doubt, but you never know your luck with a prawn imitation softie. The barra have been moody but biting when the tide is right. Live baiters soaking large banana prawns are doing it the easiest way and hopefully respecting the prestige that big barra deserve and releasing the bigger fish.
Enough threadfin and blue salmon are cruising the rivers to warrant some effort with vibes and softies. Flathead remain a major drawcard for many fishos in the lower reaches. They were recently wide-spread right throughout the rivers’ lengths, but all moved downstream with a view to spawning in recent weeks. Very large flathead well in excess of the maximum legal size can be caught, and must be handled carefully as to not upset their belly full of roe prior to release.
Tailor are terrorising baitfish schools in the lower reaches, where bream are also gathered around rocky outcrops in numbers. If you failed to try for the Burrum’s big whiting over the darks, then you will need to wait until closer to the full moon for your next chance. Same goes for the best of the grunter in the lower reaches, but you could still tempt a couple further upstream in the meantime.
Mackerel in the river mouth are likely to witness the passage of schools of river GTs and queenies in coming weeks if past history is to repeat. Some say there are a few in the river, but if so, then they haven’t ventured too far upstream as yet. These fun fish, plus large tarpon and mid-sized giant herring offer tremendous sport for the kids and a bit of light-hearted fun for experienced fishos on light tackle. Something to look forward to if they aren’t already there.
It’s all about salmon and a burgeoning barra fishery in the Mary system at present. The blues are in solid numbers from the flats and channels of the lower reaches to the deeper waters of the river proper upstream. The threadies are rolling in in smaller numbers and yet to school, but they will soon. Barra are being pestered in known hotspots by the same regulars often enough, and their tendency to bite will only improve with warming waters.
In the meantime, there are ample flathead you can target not far from River Heads and swags of bream in the vicinity too. Jewies are also on the bite nearby, albeit mostly of the undersized variety. Better fish might be found by fishing deeper ledges with vibes or large prawn imitation over the turn of tide, or switching to live bait if you don’t mind a bit of estuary cod bycatch.
You can find schools of whiting in the lower reaches of the Mary or Susan Rivers if you like, but it is out in the straits or over along the fringes of Fraser where most whiting gurus will head. With the darks now a mere memory, the next whiting tides will be a few days out from the full, so prepare yourselves and put the yabby pump to work prior to your next early evening session.
Kingfisher Bay Resort’s jetty was as herring-free as the Urangan Pier just recently, but we are told that there are hordes of herring schooled along the ledges fronting that bay at present. Tailor to 60cm or so are harassing the herring in the area and very prone to taking a swipe at anything that moves. A spinning or trolling session, ala mackerel style, will soon get you hooked to tailor down there at present.
Kingfisher’s jetty is home to plenty of soapie jew to 70cm, with very few legal fish. There are however, a few big flatties lurking beneath and plenty of bream worth targeting if heading over that way. Don’t go without squid jigs or you might regret that oversight. Grunter to 60cm or so can be caught by prospecting ledges from there south with prawn imitations or smaller vibes, or by working creek mouths and deeper holes within, when the tide is high.
Tailor Time on Fraser Island
After quite a slow start, the tailor season on Fraser Island is finally getting a steam up. A week or so prior to the darks saw the tailor amassing in big numbers 400m from the beach itself, well beyond the reach of surf fishos. Changing weather and seas saw them move into the surf gutters and it was happy days for many tailor fans over the dark of the moon.
Some spent their time well prior to the tailor moving in close by targeting and catching some very impressive spanish mackerel. Slide-baiters and drone fishers have an edge on the rest of us when it comes to spaniards, yet we are told regular surf fishos got into the action north of the headlands recently too. Large GTs joined the spaniards in feeding sprees in deeper gutters up that way, no doubt hunting the chopper tailor.
Over the new moon period, the Cathedrals was one area to be when the tailor turned it on for the last of the rising tide. The right gutters produced very good numbers of choppers in the 40-50cm size range until the tide peaked and they moved on. Smaller fish have been reported here and there, so not all choppers are keepers, however, the ratio is improving week by week. Word is, the choppers have moved in onto Ngkala Rocks recently, so that area will be a focal point for tailor fishos and those chasing bigger quarry.
Weed-free and pretty as a picture, Fraser’s surf scene is particularly inviting right now. Tailor catches will improve dramatically in time, making coming weeks extra special for many lucky fishos. Taking lighter rods to focus on whiting, bream, tarwhine and dart has been productive, especially for those that found the biggest whiting in numbers recently. All the while, there is the chance of a jewie on the heavy gear, not to mention those spaniards and GTs. Get over there sometime soon folks, and don’t miss this special opportunity. Now is the time!