Fisho's Weekly Fishing Report – 23rd October, 2026

Caleb Pora was very happy with this fine 49cm jack. No doubt just one of many to come this spring.

Serious Rain – Seriously Unexpected

Wow! What was supposed to be a few showers and maybe a storm has developed into a major wet weather event for our region and many of our Queensland neighbours. So much for the super-dry El Nino eh! It is raining whilst writing this report and there is plenty more on the way apparently.

The weather is rather unappealing for boaties and landlubbers alike at present. Today's 15-20 knot north-easter is supposedly going to ease a tad tomorrow, but not by much. Expect at least 15 knots at times Saturday and more like 15-20 knots Sunday after the breeze tends more northerly. Showers, rain and the chance of storms all adding to a very gloomy weekend outlook.

The working week won't kick off much better either. Storms could roll in from out west, whilst showers blown onshore remain likely. The wind will still be quite stiff initially, from the north to north-west through Monday, before finally easing below 15 knots Tuesday. Who knows what the future thereafter might bring. It is indeed a stretch to forecast even a day or two ahead nowadays. So, batten down the hatches and settle in for a rather damp few days. As welcome as this rain is, too much right now would be very frustrating.

It is a crying shame that this weather event had to come at such a prime fishing time on our calendar. Tides are building whilst the moon is waxing as we approach Monday's full moon. There will be plenty of tidal flow and pretty high tides just due to the pull of the moon, so, even minor flooding will be exaggerated. Take care on our streams and be wary of approaching storms. Otherwise, catch up on your boat and tackle maintenance or drop in to Fisho's for some retail therapy if the weather and boredom get the better of you.

Hervey Bay local, Bob, enjoys his regular trips aboard Double Island Point Fishing Charters.

Les from Hervey Bay enjoying the snapper fishing offshore with Double Island Point Fishing Charters.

Post-Rain Action for Pier Fishos

As regular readers will all know, the pelagic scene at Urangan Pier has been pretty exciting lately. Broad-barred and school mackerel have been abundant and quite sizeable. GTs, queenfish and golden trevally have also turned up, along with stray barracuda, to feast on the abundance of herring (if not some of the lesser predators themselves).

Pelagic action may continue on and off after this round of building tides peak, but nonetheless there will be alternative target species worth pursuing due to the rains. The couple of jewfish that have been lurking beneath the pier and eluding capture could be joined by others, creating options for nocturnal fishos on both lures or live baits. Appropriately-weighted squid and prawn imitation softies will be most popular, as always, yet soft vibes could also be put to work on the jewies if you wish to experiment.

Flathead could gather in better numbers, if not drawn elsewhere by feeding opportunities created by local run-off. Joining them in either the first channel or out deeper could be a few stray grunter. There has been a few elsewhere within casting distance of landlubbers recently, and they will be on the chew around the full moon, so be prepared. Your next bait-tempted grunter might snavel a live herring, a simple squid or prawn bait, or a yabby meant for a whiting.

Oh, by the way, we have finally re-stocked with good numbers of beach worms just yesterday. Apologies to those of you that have come in looking for worms to chase whiting. This has been a challenging spring for local wormers and keeping product on our freezer shelves hasn't been easy. Doubly frustrating at the time of year when worms are so highly sought after.

Fisho's staffer, Jackson, doing what he does best - catching big flatties.

Jack Mostert calming down one of the big flathead he caught in the Mary prior to its release.

Fishing Local Run-off in the Rain

At the risk of jumping the gun, should this weather event bring sufficient falls to trigger any form of local run-off, then be prepared to pounce on the opportunities such an incident can bring. It could be as simple as sussing out the storm water outlets that pour out along our town beaches, fishing adjacent to creek mouths, or taking advantage of inflows in local pondages.

Our run of town beach whiting this season has been merely okay so far, with no truly impressive runs of fish to date. That situation could be morphing into a significant bite whilst you read this, as whiting gathered to spawn hit the feed button and go on the rampage.

Northerly winds pounding our north-facing beaches will stir those waters whilst the bigger tides create the current and scope the whiting so desire to feed. Add some run-off from pipes spewing all sorts of morsels across the beachscape and a feeding spree could be triggered. Conjecture? At this stage, yes, but go for a look and see what you find.

Should those pipes really get pumping, then you can add the chance of flathead, grunter and even queenfish to the list of potential predators lining up (albeit briefly) for a feed. Small sharks are just as likely too, so be a little wary of them if wading nearby. Even if the big rains don't materialise, those same areas adjacent to the outlets along our beaches are worth a visit. Maybe soak a couple of yabbies or a worm, or hop a small softie past a few times.

Hit the local pondages for something more serious if you are keen. Run-off pouring into these mini lakes can see predators lining up for an easy meal. We are talking barramundi and mangrove jacks now. Both species demanding tackle somewhat more substantial than whiting gear, yet not as heavy as you might think. With exceptions, there are lakes housing both species that offer little in the way of structure for them to trash you on, so it can be more a matter of appropriate leader for scuff-resistance, and a cool head and patience when connected to a trophy.

Certain lakes are totally fresh and host barra and mullet. One or two benefited from the midnight stocking group and carry a few bass. Others are fed by the tides, even if only on major moon phases, and host jacks as well as the barra and mullet. Cod, flathead and bream are also present adding to the variety you might encounter on various lures or baits. Tilapia have infected pretty much every local pond, and will spread their scourge should enough rain fall. Do not aid their cause by using them as live bait. It is totally illegal for a start, as is using cast nets in freshwater.

Fisho's staff member, Chewy, putting in some dedicated time chasing mangrove jacks in the Burrum.

One that didn't get away. This jack was unlucky not to bust Chris Ford off when it raced to a nearby snag after hook-up.

Reefies and Bay Pelagics Enjoy a Reprieve

As you can imagine, there has been very little boating and fishing effort in recent days other than in our estuaries. When you get the chance to head back out, there will be fresh fish that have moved about during the inclement weather. Such a weather pattern as this is bound to trigger a feeding response from many species, and very likely see a surge of fish onto our shallowest reefs.

Expect to catch coral trout in waters stirred-up by the onshore winds, and maybe good numbers of grassy sweetlip and grunter too. Once the northerlies abate, the likes of Gatakers Bay and Pt Vernon will be very popular, as will the bay islands. Trollers can get their game on, as can those who would rather catch their fish from a drifting or stationary boat.

Sharks are very likely to crash the party on our deeper inshore reefs, and maybe on some of our shallower ones too. Mackerel were abundant recently, and shouldn't be too hard to find. There were both broadies and schoolies off Pt Vernon recently, as well as over various reef systems from 'the banks' to the upper straits. Go for a troll or a spin post-wet and you will find them. Just concentrate on areas where baitfish numbers are strong.

Most recent reports from whale watch operators winding up their season suggest there is no snot weed issue to worry about in Platypus Bay, which is great news. You can head up the island looking for marlin as soon as this weather breaks. Going on results over the last new moon, you stand a very good chance of finding baby blacks somewhere in the northern sector of Platypus Bay, if not beyond Rooneys.

Mac tuna schools are being sighted more often out in the central bay and up the island. They are feeding on small baitfish at present, but not the tiniest tiddlers they will focus on soon. Baitfish in the 2-3-inch range are their main fodder for now, so tempting them with similar-sized metal slugs shouldn't be too hard. A handy side hustle between key marlin bite periods for those of you with kids keen on a little high-speed action.

Reports of three New Zealand fur seals in Hervey Bay were bouncing around the air waves last week, when whale watch operators spotted different animals in their travels. One particularly cheeky little fella seems to be lingering. He has been hitching a ride on more than one vessel, and is seemingly quite nonchalant about climbing aboard for a snooze. Avoiding our over-abundance of big sharks is probably a major part of his modus operandi, taking nothing from the cuteness overload.

It is great to observe the regenerative growth of our local sea grass beds after their depletion due to sediment and extended periods of turbidity from past wet seasons. Dugongs are relishing the renewed abundance, and are possibly the cause of mini-flotillas of busted sea grass infesting Urangan Harbour and nearby waters. It seems they chomp away at the stems, and the fronds float away (apparently). Hopefully our sea grasses can withstand the future flooding events when they occur, as the healthier these beds are, the healthier our waterways are in general.

Julie Brown enjoying the company of a furry hitchhiker along with her son Joey.

This NZ fur seal that hitched a ride with Joey Brown a few weeks ago has climbed onto Blue Dolphin two days in a row since.

How happy do you reckon Max Bradley was catching his maiden marlin whilst on holidays at Airlie Beach!

You can head offshore and catch kingies like this one. Or, you could just duck over to Kingfisher Bay Resort's jetty.

8 Days to Go to Catch Saltwater Barramundi

With the annual barramundi closed season looming, this weather is very likely to trigger a mad rush from local fishos keen to get amongst the barra while they still can. If it actually rains enough to trigger flooding, then that will be a gamechanger. But to date, there have been good numbers of barra scattered right through the mid-upper reaches of our rivers, as well as within many a creek system down the straits. Joining them has been small schools of quite large threadfin salmon as well, and both species will be supercharged by this weather.

Mangrove jacks fired up with warmer conditions a couple of weeks ago, yet remain just as likely to bite in cooler times such as now due purely to the nasty inclemency and the movement of baitfish and prawns such weather triggers. Take advantage of opportunities to fish the Burrum system for all three of the abovementioned species, as well as flathead, whiting, grunter and maybe a stray jewfish. Pelagics could even be an ongoing distraction well downstream if serious rains don't eventuate.

If you haven't caught a fingermark in our waters, then now and in coming weeks offers you a great chance. Debate over favoured tides will go on as differing folks discover the wonders of these fantastic lutjanids, but one constant will trigger opportunities. They will get the heck out of dodge should flooding even threaten, so you can tackle them before they do or intercept them whilst they do. You might fluke one whilst fishing for other species, but dedicated efforts will always be better rewarded. They aren't as rare as you might think in these parts, yet they are cunning and feed with specific focus.

Crabbers will be eyeing this weather; keen on a renewed abundance of mud crabs. We have just gone through the toughest mud crabbing period of the year, which is likely about to change due to this rain event. Muddies that crawled their way back into the hard-to-reach backwaters when salinity levels peaked will be flushed out if enough rain hits the ground. They will join the sandies in the straits at some time, which have been keeping crab fans fed in recent weeks.

Get out and into the salty barra fishos. You only have a week to catch fish like this one of Jack's.

Mark Williams was chuffed with this 80cm Mondy barra he caught on a Live Mullet lure.

Sean has been into a few salty barra. Something he and the rest of us won't be able to do come 1st November.

Tarj Wilson used a vibe to secure his PB threadfin salmon, proving these lures work just as well in the dark as they do the daylight.

Southern Straits & Offshore Wide Bay Fishing Well

Catching up for a chin wag with Greg Pearce from Double Island Point Fishing Charter fame this week was enlightening, as usual. Greg has been spending more time onshore than he would like this year, due simply to spells of weather too windy to let him head offshore. Weather permitting, the fishing offshore has been great, and Greg has been on the right spots to capitalise way more often than not.

The usual variety of quality reef fish have kept his clients keen, from fairly close inshore to way out wide where only deep dropping tackle can manage those depths. The current has been easily managed to date, though Greg mentioned it is building quickly beyond 15 miles offshore. Seemingly a month early, warm summer-like water is already pouring south out there, and is almost as warm, at a notable 24-25°C.

Water quality is excellent and the fish are abundant out off the Wide Bay bar, where sharks are only worst on larger reef systems and larger aggregations of fish. Being so familiar with the scene down there, Greg has been able to spot-hop to avoid depredation when necessary and continues to impress his clients with quality fish for them to catch and take home.

No mackerel down south to speak of as yet, with the best reports of spaniards still coming from up along Fraser's eastern side. The FADs off the southern end of Fraser are yet to produce any mahi mahi. Possibly due to the relative newness of these FADs and their lack of substantial marine growth to date. Mahi mahi are swimming in our offshore waters, as are yellowfin tuna, blue, black and striped marlin along the continental shelf. Exciting times ahead for heavy tackle game fishos when they can get back out wide.

Just one of many happy snaps from recent Double Island Point Fishing Charter trips.

Big sweeties and big pearlies often feature in catches from Double Island Point Fishing Charters.

Insights into the estuary scene at the southern extremities of the Great Sandy Straits suggest the sea grass beds are recovering just as well down there as they are up here. Barramundi numbers seem to be improving, which is excellent, as they join the usual long list of estuary predators and forage-feeders you can inspect from the straits. The jacks have come on the chew with recent warming, and are already showing signs of a great season.

Sand whiting in spawn-mode have been gathering in impressive numbers at Inskip Point as well as around the southern-most fringes of Fraser Island. They have not been easy to catch in daylight, as such spawn-focussed fish can be, but they are an impressive average size, well worthy of some effort on tides such as these right now. There has been plenty of sand crabs down south, as is the case throughout the rest of the straits up our way. Won't be long and the muddies will join them, or replace them, depending upon the volume of freshwater this weather event sends their way.

Quality tailor to 60cm or so and a few big dart have been caught south of the Maheno on Fraser Island's surf-side since the recent blow. A 'double beach' has formed, and wash-outs are common, so take care when driving. Inland tracks are all firm due to the rains, yet those from Kingfisher are rutted and mushy, with random holes full of water. Other tracks elsewhere are smooth with exposed roots.

What you have just read has been based on the potential of further significant rainfall. Totals exceeding 150mm have been recorded out Howard way, yet Lenthalls hasn't been over-topped. Minor rises have been declared in the Cherwell and sectors of the upper Mary River catchment, falling short of any 'flooding' status at this time.

Seems our parched landscape has soaked up much of the rain so far, which is fantastic. Some fresh will be evident in our rivers and streams, but nothing major at the time of writing. This week's totals nearing 100mm here in town have created brief run-offs and left our ground soaked. We are primed for some serious run-off if further heavy rains eventuate – let's see what unfolds.

Good luck out there y'all …… Jase