Fisho's Weekly Fishing Report – 20th June 2025
by Fisho's Tackle World Hervey Bay 20 Jun 11:04 PDT
Onshore winds precede dark of the moon
Daytime temperatures haven't climbed much this past week, but at least our evening temps did. The breeze swinging from offshore to onshore and a bit of cloud cover will do that. The warm glow of an origin win also takes the edge off the chill for Queenslanders, even if we are all nervous wrecks after Wednesday night's second half.
The wind is decidedly onshore for the immediate future. Nothing too strong, but certainly enough to be annoying. Boaties will be denied access to open waters in all but the largest of craft for several days, as our coastline is buffeted by south-easterly trade winds to 20 knots. The BOM is claiming 15-20 knots day in day out until at least Monday.
Not a great weekend forecast, but hey, look where we live. If you cannot find sheltered water options within a short drive then you simply aren't keen enough. It appears that the south-easter will tend more easterly Monday as it begins to ease. The two days thereafter look like the pick of the crop, so to speak, prior to a renewed blast from the south-east (should the weather bureau be correct).
The weather may not be brilliant, but the tides are quite appealing this week. Tidal flow is increasing daily as we approach next Wednesday's new moon. This set of darks is historically very productive for many fisheries, both inshore and offshore. The tides will be big, without being massive. Highs will peak a little over 4m, whilst lows bottom-out at around 0.55m. It's the winter solstice this Saturday, so we can look forward to increasing periods of daylight from then onwards - awesome!
Deep end of Urangan Pier finally open
It has been a frustrating few months for Urangan Pier fishos, as their access was limited whilst restoration works were undertaken. Well, they can all rejoice now, as the works have concluded and the pier is once again open all the way to the deep end.
This is great news for pier fishos, However, the lack of herring beneath the pier isn't such good news. There are pike, but no herring. The fishing hasn't excited too many folks this week apparently, though there is plenty to look forward to over the dark of the moon.
Bream numbers and size will improve, we trust, as more fish jostle for position in their spawning run. The lack of herring is a downer of course, so adjust your tactics and you are still in the game. Think mullet fillet baits, mullet gut, bonito fillets and strips of freshly-caught pike. All very suitable alternatives to fresh herring when necessary. The bigger tides next week will trigger a feeding response from the bream and have them foraging for all manner of food items. The tiny local crabs will be on the menu for sure, hence the popularity of Cranka Crab lures (which might excel even more with the lack of herring).
Evening sessions chasing bream have unearthed a few random flathead. Dedicated efforts with live pike only enhancing your chances of connecting with them. A few pencil squid have also fronted-up over the high tide period at night, triggering a little extra excitement from those prospecting for jewfish. No mackerel in recent days apparently. No pelagics at all supposedly - the lack of herring the likely reason for their absence. Perhaps that might change as the tides 'make' further, so don't walk out there without at least some Flasha spoons, just in case.
This set of 'darks' will see a few local whiting fans stretch their legs along our town beaches looking for whiting. Not until the tides get closer to peaking with the new moon perhaps, and even then, most likely after dark. Better catches have come from the fringes of town or beyond of late. Our town beach whiting run is still two moons away really, but the lack of netting, and the summer-autumn flush of our rivers has created a more vibrant out-of-season whiting fishery that continues to surprise.
Walking our beaches, or fishing from our smaller town jetties should be done with at least one squid jig in your kit. There have been a few tigers cruising those waters lately, and you don't want to be the one to spot them without a jig handy. Try the rocky shores near Gatakers Bay, out of the wind and waves, and you could score a few with a little effort. Take care wandering the rocks, and wear appropriate footwear.
Winter whiting turn it on in the chill
Dropping water temperatures spurred the winter whiting into action and it has been a free-for-all all week. Bag limits of tasty little winteries have been heading home regularly, though not every day, apparently. Some folks claim to score a limit with ease one day, then catch a more modest number on their next outing. There are those that seemingly go every day, so they must eat a lot of whiting fillets to stay within their 50 per person possession limits!
Gatakers Bay boat ramp has been the launching point for the majority of the whiting fleet. The waters off Pt Vernon have amassed a crowd at times, as have the waters to the north-east of the ramp itself. Word is that there are stacks of whiting to be found off the Burrum coast too. Some out the front of town somewhere, and perhaps even more up off Woodgate.
Decent-sized whiting have been on the move, so there is no need to keep the smaller fish. If that is all you are catching, perhaps consider a move to greener pastures rather than settling for tiddlers barely bigger than a 'fish finger'. Drifting remains the preferred initial approach to winter whiting fishing for most folks; few settling on the anchor unless they find the motherlode.
Slipping the pick over the bow will make your boat screw straight into the wind (or current), so those anchoring are often easily spotted by other drifters drawn to what they might be catching. It is crazy how one can anchor and be spotted hauling in a couple of doubles, then its anchors down all around. Some claim to have even resorted to beam-on anchor attachment to stay beneath the radar when fishing away from the masses. Things you have to do to catch a feed in peace, eh?!
Anticipation of snapper over the darks
Another week of wintery weather slips by, and our snapper fishery is still yet to take off. A drop in water temperature is certainly welcomed by budding snapper fishos, as next week's new moon tides are eyed off with renewed enthusiasm. It has been a slow start; a poor one really, but they are bound to turn up - and soon.
To date, there have been squire caught at Moon Ledge and elsewhere within our shipping channels. A few better, squirey-snapper, have been hooked off the Burrum coast apparently, but full blown knobbies are still scarce. This lack of snapper to date is almost like a red flag to a bull for experienced local snapper fishos. Many fishos are keen, experienced and novice alike, so expect plenty of effort when the weather permits.
Those that are lucky enough to be able to fish the new moon and the day after have a distinct advantage. Others will be limited to weekend efforts in windy conditions that will keep them close inshore or perhaps up the island. A brief window mid-week could see some head for the northern bay, where at least there has been some schools of better fish.
The snapper up that way are drawn to the yakka schools, and from what we are hearing, the Gutters and beyond are lousy with baitfish. Not just yakkas, but pike too, here and there, and various other morsels sure to tempt a hungry snapper. A drift or two hopping jerkshads across the 25 Fathom Hole would seem prudent if there are yakka schools present. No bait; then keep on driving. Those waters usually fire in July, but you never know.
Mackerel fans have plenty to cheer about
Masses of baitfish schools might be migrating into the bay without the usual snapper in pursuit (so far), but they haven't avoided the gaze of the mackerel population. Spaniards continue to terrorise all and sundry up at the Gutters and at plenty of sites closer in. They truly have shone this past couple of months and offered many new players a crack at one of the fastest fish with fins.
Longtail tuna have been hard to pin down for most folks, and rightly-so as their diet changed recently and those left in the bay are favouring sub-surface takeaways rather than the all-you-can-eat surface buffets of early autumn. That hasn't meant all sportsfishos have had to retire their stick-baiting rods however, as the spaniards have taken up where the longtails left off.
School mackerel are making a nuisance of themselves all over the joint inshore, lightening the tackle boxes of many a budding snapper fisho. Their presence will continue throughout our shipping channels and increase even more-so at numerous reef systems as more fish migrate closer inshore. They are hot on the heels of the herring and yakkas of course, so find them to find the mackerel.
Broad-barred mackerel continue to feature in many inshore catches from the southern bay. These fish really turn it on up in the skinny water during the depths of winter, and are regular visitors to many of our expansive flats. Their recovery since gillnetting effort was reduced has been dramatic. Large fish, in numbers not seen for eons, and even at commonly fished grounds such as those surrounding the bay islands.
Broadies are larger on average than schoolies, yet they are rather gutless or lacking stamina in the fighting department. One spirited run after hook-up is about all you will get often enough, before a fish much larger than expected appears boatside following a subdued battle. Spaniards might be related, but show substantially more heart, and size. All three species are suckers for a Flasha spoon or similar metal lure. All can be trolled, and all are fine on the plate for those that aren't wearing the reef fish blinkers. Don't be surprised to see broadies creep into our creeks and rivers later this winter, in particular the Mary.
Dark moon special for flats fishos
Broadies won't be the only larger pelagic species cruising the skinny waters of our flats this week. The dark of the moon is primetime for flats fishos to shine, and they have so many options. From the ubiquitous queenies of the bay islands to the trevally and salmon there and elsewhere, you have ample targets should you get a crack when the weather permits.
Recovery of our flats fishery has been highly notable in recent times, as substantially reduced netting pressure has enabled a comeback of many of Hervey Bay's and the Great Sandy Straits' flats dwellers. Golden trevally schools are commonly sight-fished, as are random pods of fast-moving queenfish. Blue salmon create plenty of mayhem when they are encountered too, and they aren't even close to peaking yet this winter.
The flats fishery offers, for the most part, a shark-free alternative for fishos keen to test their skills on large fish with quite light tackle. No need to skull-drag them in like you have to on the deeper tuna and mackerel grounds these days, so lots of fun and squealing drags all round. Lures can be downsized and still have the holding power under lighter drag settings often enough, meaning lighter rods and smaller reels.
You can even go ultra-finesse if you like and target the whiting and bream so abundant in our peak winter flats fishery. It is early days just yet to expect the true motherlode of flats-bound whiting or bream, but they aren't far off. The bream are on their way; spawning on their minds, with very little to impede their passage. The whiting fishery will hit top gear some time in July too, but that won't stop a few folks from getting in a sneak peak a little early.
Throw in the excellent grunter fishery the flats can offer; plenty of flathead from mid-winter onwards and the ever-present chance of big barramundi or threadfin salmon, and the flats fisheries of the Great Sandy Straits are extra special. All this and the chance to sight-fish for large tiger squid in mere feet of water under sunny skies. Blissful!
Our local flats fisheries attract a slowly-growing fanbase of fly fishos too of course. These folks stealthily working their way across likely flats intent on getting close enough to their quarry to land their latest creation within striking range. Cloudy conditions aren't favourable for those that must see a fish before presenting, whilst those with the nous and experience can prospect stained waters with confidence. Their future winter activities will be far more successful than seasons past, now that the very quarry they seek are no longer rounded-up en-masse.
Burrum River provides many options out of the wind
Some fishos will spend time on the Mary or Susan Rivers this week, chasing the usual barramundi, threadies and blue salmon. Some will succeed, some won't. The blues won't be hard to find, but the threadies could be challenging. There are plenty within the creeks skirting Fraser's western shoreline, and no doubt numbers here and there in a clearing Mary. A selection of soft vibes and prawn imitation plastics will soon see you connected to those salmon you find.
Flathead are a worthy target in the lower reaches of the abovementioned rivers. Bream can be targeted too if that is your thing. The darks will appeal to a few local jewfish fans, as cooler waters draw the jewies to the usual places within cooee of River Heads. Again, the very same soft vibes and prawn imitations that will trick the threadies and barra can be used to tempt the jewies. Expect plenty of estuary cod bycatch too.
Up on the Burrum River system, it will be all about the bread'n'butter species or the barra. Whiting will come on the chew within the river over the bigger new moon tides. So too will the bream, that are gathered downstream in impressive numbers. Flatties taking up station in the usual ambush points will take a swipe at any morsel within striking range; real deal of fake. All three species offering lots of fun, and a feed if you are so inclined.
Sneaking it up a notch, some time spent seeking grunter over the darks could be both challenging and interesting. The best quality fish are still out in the bay for the most part, yet a few fish bettering the 50cm mark can be found within the river. Small mackerel have been coming and going with the tides, and schools of pesky little tailor have also shown up too. You won't have to drive far from Burrum Heads to find either of those species either.
Chasing a feed of banana prawn is a favourite pastime for many river-goers these days, and why not with such quality maintaining the rage in the Burrum in recent weeks. The darks will have them on the move once again, so take the cast nets for a run if you are keen.
Look out for the shrimp with a sting in its tail
Given how prolific prawns are in our waterways, it should come as no surprise that prawn imitation soft plastics are so popular with Fraser Coast fishos (and our fish). The fishing tackle market is awash with oodles of lures mimicking a prawn or shrimp in one fashion or another these days, some successfully, some not so much.
Fresh from the factory to the lure walls at Fisho's is one of the greatest prawn imitation offerings ever to grace our tackle store. Matt Fraser from Barambah Lures has put his heart and years of research and development into his latest creation - the Barambah Stinger Shrimp. Aussie designed, with true innovations that only the likes of Matt can develop, these lures stand proud amongst a host of competing products. Stinger Shrimps offer features unique to Barambah Lures that will ultimately catch you more fish, time and time again.
One such feature is the stinger assist hook pre-rigged in the tail section of the lures. No more missed strikes from tail-grabbers, and secure hook-ups on hooks custom-selected to stay connected. Coming in sizes from 55mm to 125mm, there is a stinger shrimp for every estuary, flats or inshore reef application. Extra depth capabilities are easily sorted too, by clipping on Barambah Chin Nuts. A treble retro-fitted in lieu ensuring ultimate hook retention and extra grunt when the occasion demands it.
Our bream won't stand a chance when they spot the 55mm stinger gliding by. Notorious for short-striking, they will be pinned regularly by the fine gauge assist in the rear. Main body hooks on this and the finesse version of the 90mm Stinger Shrimp will enable those of us sporting lighter rods and lines to set hooks confidently. Conversely, the HD-rigged 90mm stinger and its bigger brother, the 125mm, come armed with heavy duty hardware designed to stay connected to larger more tenacious quarry such as barra, jacks, cod and salmon.
Being perfectly-weighted for their size, and it seems our waterways, each and every sized Stinger Shrimp will catch bycatch well beyond the intended. The HD stingers are already proven on snapper, and bound to tempt coral trout on our shallow reefs. The finesse models will become hot favourites for flathead and grunter fans, and I reckon the tiny 55mm model meant for bream etc will be the undoing of a few large threadies next time the jelly prawns emerge. Grab a couple and give them a crack. These are very impressive lures, with a sting the fish will wish they avoided.
Rainbow Beach family fishing classic was a blinder
The weather for the week-long Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic was good, but not great. Light to moderate west or south-west winds dominated all week, both above and below forecast strength at times. Every day was an offshore day for capable-enough vessels, and some truly impressive fish were caught. The comp reached its capped capacity of 750 entrants, and from what we hear, all had an absolute ball.
The comp was held a little earlier than usual this year. This was reflected in the slightly smaller size of select fish that might have been larger if the comp was a tad later. Winter species such as snapper and tailor are two cases in point. Quality fish landed of course, but maybe not the truly huge fish expected from those waters in coming weeks. All eligible species were represented, often daily, throughout the comp, which kept those whose names adorned the leader board a wee bit anxious.
Red emperor catches were truly impressive. It took a 15.3kg cleaned red to take out top honours, during a comp where fish to 14kg cleaned were being weighed almost daily. There were very solid snapper, pearlies and sweetlip caught, but again, no true monsters.
The sharks were devastating on many grounds, so you can imagine just how many larger fish hooked didn't make it to the weighmasters. A pic of the final leader board hereabouts can tell the rest of the story better than I can. Suffice to say, a very impressive, well-run comp that hundreds of this year's entrants will eagerly return for next year. Well done all!
Greg Pearce of Double Island Point Fishing Charters fame entered his young bloke, Ollie, in the comp. At merely 9 years of age, Ollie caught a truly magnificent 5.58kg cleaned black-spot tuskfish (bluey) all by himself, that earned him the prize for the heaviest tuskfish in the youth category for the week. Any of you that know how hard a bluey pulls, and just what it takes to extract them from a reef will appreciate just how impressive this capture is. Worthy of a bit of extra care with the camera for his proud dad, and most certainly worthy of the 'cover shot' of this fishing report. Well done Ollie - you are a true young gun!
Greg's charters have been successful time and time again lately, as always. Knowing what to target and when ensures this, but even the likes of Greg get to experience the odd surprise. One such example being a marlin taking a liking to a string of flamies on a deep drop mission that saw he and crew land a substantial fish tangled in the deep drop rig.
Not to be outdone, Greg shared a flamie hotspot with a mate, and he connected to no less than three marlin that performed the very same flamie-eating antics as Greg's fish. This incident was during the Rainbow comp and is solid proof that there are marlin cruising continental shelf waters off the southern end of Fraser Island right now. Go see if you can find some if you wish.
Charters fishing in 24-25C water offshore produced some great catches for Greg and his clients. Plenty of snapper have graced the deck, as have bag limits of pearlies regularly enough. The waters are still warm, but cooling, with the wave rider buoy reading a sea surface temp of 21.6C just last night. Greg expects even bigger snapper to appear closer inshore prior to the impending July 15th closure. Not that anyone is complaining about the quality of the snapper on offer down there off the Wide Bay bar right now - just the sharks!
School mackerel are in plague proportions in close down there at present. Spaniards are being caught up along Fraser Island close to the coastline too. Large longtails are feeding deep in the water column as they hound the yakkas etc, and some back-breaking big amberjack are raising a sweat in cold conditions for those 'lucky' enough to hook them. It's all happening offshore this winter, so be ready for the next weather window and get out there amongst the action.