Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
Welcome to this week’s report. We’ve enjoyed some warmer days with good rain and storms this week, which has helped clear out our rivers and creeks. As we head into the first week of December, anglers can expect similar conditions, with showers and storms predicted tomorrow through to Sunday. Expect the occasional shower early next week, before the weather clears up to be partly cloudy and mostly sunny toward the middle of the week. Summer is definitely here, with hot conditions set in for the next week. If you’re heading out to wet a line, make sure you slip, slop, slap and take plenty of water with you!
OFFSHORE
The inshore reefs have been a hub of activity this week, yielding an impressive variety of catches including snapper, pearl perch, tuskfish, cobia, and sweetlip. Anglers targeting the fish aggregating devices have been rewarded with mahi mahi, while those venturing to the Hards have encountered amberjack, cobia, kingfish, pearl perch, snapper, and tuskfish, indicating a vibrant offshore fishing environment.
MAROOCHY RIVER
Fishing in the Maroochy River is picking up, likely influenced by the current moon phase and recent rain. Golden trevally are making a significant appearance in the river, along with estuary cod, bream and Grunter. Flathead and bream are being caught in good numbers through the Bli Bli section of the river. Plenty of mangrove jack are being caught, predominantly on live bait, but also on the larger Pro Lure Clone Prawns. The lower reaches have seen sand whiting and sand crabs, while some good mud crab catches have also been reported. There’ve been plenty of reports of large bait balls of herring this week. The incoming tide has been the most productive over the past week.
NOOSA
In Noosa, the Tewantin reach of the river continues to deliver bream, whiting and trevally, while Woods Bay has been great for flathead. If you’re targeting crabs, the lower reaches have delivered good catches of sand crabs, while mud crabs have been caught in the mid to upper reaches.
CALOUNDRA
In Caloundra, anglers have reported sailfish, spanish, spotted and school mackerel offshore, while closer to shore, Pumicestone Passage has continued to deliver good catches, including long tom, mangrove jack, golden trevally, sand whiting and sand crabs. The inshore reefs have also yielded good sweetlip catches, while flathead have been reported near the new bar entrance. Mangrove jack are also making their presence known in the creeks and canals.
FRESHWATER
Freshwater fishing is on the rise with the swelling of the rivers. The weirs are producing yellowbelly and sooty grunters, and bass are becoming more active, especially early morning and late afternoon. Anglers using spinner and chatterbaits, as well as small soft plastics on light jig heads, are finding success.
As we wrap up this week’s report, there’s good news for the local Sunshine Coast community – the Bli Bli Bridge is now open again, making access easier in the area.
As we gear up for the upcoming school holidays, we look forward to welcoming familiar faces and new visitors alike. It’s the perfect time to stop by, catch up on the latest fishing stories and get ready for your next fishing adventure. Here’s to smooth travels, great catches and exciting times ahead!
Trent & Corinne
Bait Master Fishing and Tackle
