Fisho's Weekly Fishing Report – 10th July, 2026

It took a bluey of this calibre to take out the tuskfish category in the Hervey Bay Fishing Classic.

Another Glass-Out this Weekend

Fantastic weather conditions last weekend paved the way for a wonderfully successful inaugural Hervey Bay Fishing Classic. The timing of the event was quite lucky as it happens. Cold windy weather with scattered showers arrived as the competition concluded and has prevailed until now.

This miserable weather will soon be a mere memory, as we look forward to a second weekend in a row of ultra-light winds and clear skies. Today's 10-15 knot south to south-easter will ease dramatically overnight, leaving us with days on end of light winds. Expect mostly southerlies of barely 10 knots Saturday, and northerlies tending westerly at similar strength Sunday.

The early working week should be just as glamorous, albeit somewhat colder than we have experienced so far this winter. Another even colder change is expected mid-week. It could get very windy thereafter and wipe-out the following weekend for boaties, so don't waste this one folks.

The moon continues to wane and the nights get darker and darker as we approach next Tuesday's new moon. Our tides are currently making bigtime and will peak with massive 4.2m highs from 0.4m lows around the new moon. Highest highs will be at night and lowest lows during the afternoon, as is standard for this time of year.

Luke headed wide and scored a great feed of quality reefies. This RTE joined trout, tuskies and many others for the long haul home.

Jett Whitford with one of many red emperor hauled aboard in a torrid bite out wide last week.

Hervey Bay Fishing Classic a Roaring Success

Getting lucky with the weather was always going to enhance the success and enjoyment of a major fishing competition such as the Hervey Bay Fishing Classic. Holding it at a time that happened to coincide with one of the best reef fish 'bites' of the year just made it extra special.

Such excellent weather saw boats of all sizes roaring off in all directions Friday, with many crews staying offshore and up the bay for extended periods. There was no need to rush back anytime Friday as weigh-ins didn't commence until Saturday, when the comp's online Leader Board started lighting up with many fine early captures.

Names filled the allotted slots quickly as time wore on and more and more fish were brought to the weighmasters. You have to expect a few teething issues at an inaugural event of this nature, so a quick response from organisers when line-ups for weigh-in were lengthening was very welcome. Extra scales and extra crew soon had the fish flowing past the weighmasters and the onsite leader boards highlighted the best catches live.

All categories were filled and potential winners listed for the seniors in an ever-changing race for top honours. The chance to win secret weight prizes kept the fish coming even if not as good as current leaders, so you can imagine how busy the weighmasters were.

Most of the popular species were highly-contested, yet a few stood out with less than expected numbers weighed in. Most notably were mackerel, which it seemed bit very poorly post-full moon. Grunter, jewfish and jobfish categories all fell well short of a full card too, which is somewhat surprising for this time of year in such prime conditions.

Zero grunter weighed in the junior section reflected the reduced senior catches, whilst all other categories (other than coral trout) were bombarded with multiple impressive captures. This comp stood out as a fantastic event to get the kids involved in, not just for the fishing and the hordes of prizes on offer. So many activities, fun and games had them racing from one thing to another, when they weren't oohing and aahing at all the big fish being weighed.

No doubt all 575 competitors and many visiting onlookers had a great time at this event. All will be looking forward to a repeat next year, when an even bigger crowd is expected. The very same organisers are responsible for the highly-popular Woodgate Beach Hotel Fishing Classic in spring by the way, so look out for that one coming up and you can sign-up for more fun and games later in the year.

Hervey Bay Sports Club was an ideal location for the Hervey Bay Fishing Classic.

An incredibly happy youngster and his family with their Junior Boat Winner package from the HBFC.

Hayden Deacon was ecstatic to be drawn out as winner of the Major Senior Boat package at the HBFC.

The Arnold family cleaned up at the HBFC. Young Leo scored Champion Junior Angler and mum Chloe won Champion Senior.

Offshore Fishos Filled Eskies to Overflowing

To say there was a lot of extra traffic offshore last weekend would be an understatement. Not only was the HBFC on, but Bundy's biggest comp of the year was on as well. Many (we trust non-competing) folks beat a path offshore before the comps started too, heading out Thursday in excellent conditions. What unfolded then and thereafter was a memorable reef fish bite that saw quite a few crews spilling fish onto the deck or throwing them back after eskies and/or bag limits were filled.

All the glam species bit well, with red emperor really turning it on. Variety and colour adorned eskies as a serious mix of trout, various cods, sweetlips, perches, wrasse and tuskfish soon chilled on ice. Shoal country east of Breaksea spit was alive with a huge array of bottom-dwellers, but you had to contend with sharks here and there. A lack of current north of the 'light-ship' green zone made for easy pickings when sharks were avoidable, adding further variety for those doing the rounds.

Deep droppers scored very well up north. Fishing in 200m or so was most popular, where stacks of pearlies, snapper, flamies and numbers of bar cod were hauled unceremoniously from the depths. Heading deeper saw the odd crew score blue-eye trevalla and other ooglies along with some of the aforementioned species. There were sharks noted out wide again, which is not welcome news, whilst a big white pointer paid at least two crews a visit. It showed zero interest in taxing their catches, leaving onlookers to surmise it had bigger prey in mind.

Carson with one thumping big blue-eye from 300m+ that didn't get thrown back.

Aedan Arnold and son Leo with part of a great haul on deep drop tackle whilst competing in the HBFC.

Catching reds in a glass-out. Happy days for the Baker boys.

Aiden Whiteman and first mate got amongst the reds off Breaksea.

The Gutters and Beyond Fished Well

Still enjoying somewhat of a reprieve from shark depredation due to a recent whale stranding, fishos plying the waters of the Gutters scored some quality fish last weekend. Whilst some smart crews managed to avoid the sharks altogether by bouncing around small little-known isolated hotspots, others parking on the popular well-known prominent ledge country weren't nearly as lucky.

Proving that quality fish can still be caught from the far northern bay beyond common grounds, there were crews returning with big nannies, snapper, red emperor and coral trout, along with the usual box fillers from the sweetlip, tuskfish, cod and perch clans. Trevally proved to be a bit of hassle on more prominent bait-rich country, but they aren't as bad as they are about to be. Expect trevors galore in coming weeks, as the hordes of baitfish gathered up there draw a variety of trevally schools to the area.

Cobia continue to feature amongst the catches of many a northern bay bound crew, yet the true monsters seemed to elude competitors in the HBFC last weekend. Spanish mackerel did not bite well last weekend it seems, and that goes for bay waters and offshore. They must've had other things on their to do list as the mackerel bite in general has been pretty poor since the passing of the full moon.

Commercial Chaos skipper Kurtis, and first mate Logan, with just part of a massive haul last weekend.

Adrian Martin headed for the northern bay and scored a feed of bar-cheeks.

Cooper Ager's red got taxed. Hope you measured what's left mate - looks undersized.

Chloe Arnold with just one of the fish that ended up seeing her take out Champion Senior Angler in the HBFC.

Snapper Follow Bait Schools into the Central Bay

The 25 Fathom Hole has been a focus point for many a snapper fisho recently. Massive aggregations of yakkas and slimy mackerel has meant sizeable snapper have moved in, and will be a viable proposition up there whilst ever the baitfish linger.

Simple drifts through or past the hole with soft plastics attached to 3/4 or 1 ounce jig heads will soon see your rod loaded and your drag protesting when a big knobbie snatches it. That might occur well clear of the bottom at times, or right there at ground zero at others. Avoid the annoying hordes of little squire and other demersals (and grinners etc) and keep your drifts focussed on obvious shows of snapper and the bites will come.

Bait fishos intending on fishing the 25 Fathom Hole should be prepared to fish live baits. Yakkas etc is what the big fish are there to eat and that is what they want. Drop dead baits to the bottom and you might score some keepers, but the pickers will make that task quite frustrating. Plonking on various bits of rubble up there might see you score some modest coral trout, cod or nannygai, but it is the snapper that make the hole worth the visit.

Over Rooneys and Platypus Bay way, you will find snapper schools moving in to the usual haunts. Baitfish have amassed in astounding numbers on many grounds and will continue to draw snapper until well into spring. Sharks are terrorising the fish at way too many sites, so keep that it mind and avoid mass slaughter and complete wastage by moving on when you get taxed. Nannies, sweeties, cod and grunter are all possible from the eastern bay, sharks permitting.

McNamara crew with the spoils of an evening hunting snapper. New moon tides and this chill will have them on the chew again.

The MacLean crew got amongst the snapper and pearlies offshore, amongst other fine-eating reefies.

Winter Pelagic Scene Boosted by Arrival of Slimies

The notable (and welcome) arrival of schools of slimy mackerel in Hervey Bay waters is possibly a driver behind the higher-than-average capture rate of billfish this winter. Already, there has been just about as many billies caught as were landed during the recognised local season last spring.

There were a couple more little blacks caught last Friday, and at least one more over the weekend. The capture of two sailfish by differing crews is rather exceptional, and has the grapevine humming with gossip. Claims the return of slimy mackerel to our waters has triggered the boosted billfish numbers could have merit. Decades ago, these hyped-up surface-favouring baitfish were regular visitors every winter and billfish captures each spring thereafter were pretty consistent.

Slimies have been notably absent for years until recently, so we are happy to welcome them back. Pilchards are also gathered in massive schools here and there, both in the bay and offshore, so things are looking up for sportsfishos in coming weeks and months. Joining such already massive biomasses of yakka, herring, pike and the like, this extra abundance of baitfish this winter is encouraging. Could it distract and feed a few sharks? Or just drawn more into the bay?

Some recent billfish captures were incidental, whilst some were via dedicated tried and true methods. Perhaps there are more marlin and sails here right now than anyone realises. A small handful of fish each winter is somewhat expected, but this winter seems special. Maybe consider a session trolling a spread of skirts behind a teaser if you can drag yourself away from the snapper and the reefies. Or at least have a suitable outfit at the ready should a cheeky billy rock up boatside.

With mackerel hard to tempt of late - and tuna being little more than a few macs up in Platypus Bay or big longtails feeding deep randomly around bait schools - it is left to our trevally and queenfish to entertain the sportsfishos. Luckily, there are ample of each here these days, so you have many options.

Look for queenies inshore around the bay islands when the bigger tides such as this new moon's are racing. Or, head deep into the straits and seek them out amongst the islands, sandbanks and channels down that way. Hit the western bay and its flats and creek mouths for a smaller class of fish if you prefer, or head over to Fraser and see if they are working the fringes of the western flats over there.

You could find trevally in all of the above locations, or just sound them out around shipwrecks and along prominent ledges inshore. Goldies will dominate others in many deeper areas, whilst diamonds and a few cousins can join them in the shallows. Seemingly every trevally species under the sun will visit Platypus Bay waters in coming months, so head that way if you want to maximise your jigging hookups.

Mick Cassar's crew was one of two to catch sailfish locally last week. An influx of slimies has billfish roaming the bay this winter.

Saltwater Playground charter clients have a chance to catch bay marlin like these girls did recently.

Tailor Join Bream and Whiting Close Inshore

Our shallow reef country is gin clear and rather picturesque this time of year. Sunny skies and calm seas will see you and the kids peering into the water, often a-gasp at the wondrous sights appearing before you. Such waters are unappealing to reef fish generally, yet schools of blackall can be spotted as might other baby reefies. These bigger new moon tides could see a better class of fish pay a visit dawn or dusk, but fair to say that you are better off targeting them in deeper waters.

Bream on the other hand, amass in big numbers over our shallow reefs and rubble patches. They are spawning and their appetites are substantial as they forage to supplement the energy needed to create baby bream. Now is perhaps the best time of year to go chase them somewhat seriously. Do so with finesse tackle and micro lures on the drift, or anchor up and berley whilst tossing lightly-weighted baits their way. Either option could see you hauling in serious numbers.

Joining the bream at times will be passing schools of chopper tailor. Many will be very small and annoying, whilst others can be quite sizeable. Pt Vernon and Gatakers Bay reefs will host tailor, so shore-based fishos can access a few whilst casting metals or topwater offerings. Folks at Burrum Heads are likely to be catching tailor very soon if not already; again, either from the shore or from a boat.

Winter whiting are still biting well off Burrum Heads. The green toads are a hassle apparently though, so be prepared to shift if they turn up. Boats gathered tightly together off Pt Vernon this week suggests winteries are possible there. Keen folks escaping the wind. Winteries down west of Woody Island and down the straits off Boonooroo are also feeding plenty of folks, so you have many options this new moon if you favour a feed of whiting.

Go one better if you are up to the task, and go target the first of the season's 'summer whiting' run. July is kick-off time for summeries over the bigger tides such as these, so go pump some yabbies or dig some bloodworms during the afternoon lows and soak them for whiting as the sun goes down somewhere in skinny water. This will be a popular activity amongst local fans in coming months; all of whom will expect to catch their bag limit as they pretty much always have.

Mindy hitched a ride out wide and scored plenty of fine-eating reefies to weigh-in at the HBFC.

Ash Ross enjoyed a great red emperor bite last week. Be interesting to see if the bite continues this week.

Taj Brown was absolutely stoked with his first legal red emperor. A proud moment for dad too no doubt.

The Cawleys will be fine dining this week. Seems to be no end to the awesome run of mud crabs this year.

New Moon Options Galore for Landlubbers

Kingfisher Bay jetty fishos are catching quality bream over there, and numbers are worthy of the effort. Whiting schools can be spotted swimming down the beach from the elevated platform too, so you could wander down and intercept them perhaps. Otherwise, it will be sight-fishing for flathead and squid, maybe trying for a nocturnal jewfish, or spinning for tailor and mackerel.

Urangan Pier fishos are catching bream quite consistently, so the new moon should boost their catches even further. There is plenty of herring out there and sufficient pike to draw some predators. The odd jewfish has been tempted after dark, whilst flathead keep live baiters busy during daylight hours.

A few random pelagics were caught from the Urangan Pier this week. School mackerel and a stray broadie joined a couple of 80-90cm queenfish and at least one golden trevally on the planks. Raging new moon tides will have the current racing beneath, so one might expect a visit from some tailor this weekend too.

Such big tides really do favour beach fishos. Consider a spot of whiting fishing while there is sufficient current and high rising rides. Toogoom has been central to some of the better whiting action of late, and there are plenty of bream, a few flatties and occasional queenfish out there too.

Light winds will create an opportunity for landlubbers to get their boots muddy down along the Booral Flats. Whiting will be creeping in with the early encroaching flood tide, and flathead won't be far behind them. Bream could be entertaining at high tide, but there is typically a better class of them to be caught elsewhere this time of year. Booral blue salmon might offer a little extra sport for those hopping plastics or for those willing to dance a topwater offering bigger than your standard whiting/bream models.

Bream, tailor, flathead and the chance of jewfish at River Heads will keep those that can handle the current out there busy this week. There have been some oversized flatties in that part of the world just recently, so if you hook one from the stones, please respect the fish whilst releasing it unharmed. It is easy to damage such a creature if dragged onto oyster-encrusted rocks, and we need those big girls to be healthy and spawning early this spring.

Chris Smith posing for his mate Andrew, after showing him how to catch one of the sambos Andrew failed to tempt.

Even mud crab catchers could take away prizes at the recent HBFC.

Other Gossip in Brief

Not much to offer from Fraser Island's surf scene but to mention the masses of blue bottles washed up on the beach over there (according to some returning tourists recently). Substantial numbers of pippies down the bottom end of the island (down Dilli way) have been notable. One would expect whiting, dart and tarwhine catches to reflect that abundance – but that cannot be confirmed as yet.

A dolphin has been making a nuisance of itself out at the Burrum 8 Mile recently. This beautiful creature has been risking injury just to steal live baits from fishos' hooks, even though there are thousands of similar morsels swimming around in those waters. Attempts to drive away from it sometimes see it follow and continue its plunder apparently, so please take extra care to avoid hooking it and move on altogether if necessary.

Humpbacks are once again prolific offshore and increasing in numbers in the bay. Stray whales have recently been encountered off Woody Island and close to the beach at Coongul. Many more will join those in our waters soon, so take extra care when boating day and night over coming months.

Good luck out there y'all …… Jase