Fisho's Weekly Fishing Report – 4th September, 2026

Terry and Cooper with the better trout from their mid-week Gutters session.

Smoking Hot Start to Spring

Concluding the mildest Fraser Coast winter this scribe can recall, the trend continues as spring kicks off with remarkably warm weather. Our inland neighbours will feel the warmth more than we will here within the influence of the northerly sea breeze, however, fine sunny days will appeal to all and sundry as we shake off yet another winter.

This morning's 10-15 knot north-wester should tend northerly later today, setting the trend for the weekend. Excellent and enjoyable conditions for all but open bay waters, where that prevailing northerly breeze will make things rather uncomfortable. Accept the facts and shift your focus to our estuaries or the sheltered waters of the straits and you will enjoy the 10-15 knot north-wester much more.

A dry south-easterly change appears likely to kick off the working week. No more than 15 knots initially, that drops out for a brief period early-mid week potentially. Much stiffer winds are forecast for later next week, that might bring some isolated showers to coastal parts. It might also create a proper bushfire risk if the wind really cranks after this warm drying spell. Don't be the instigator of such a catastrophe. Without lightning from storms to blame as the fire starters, there is only humans, so take extra care.

With the full moon well behind us now, our tides have been diminishing with the waning moon. Today's half moon commences the third quarter phase planting us smack-bang amongst another set of neaps. Great for estuarine activities, which is rather handy given the weather. There is much to be excited about this weekend if you are a keen pursuer of piscatorial predators in our rivers and creeks. No doubt many local dads will enjoy a ripper Father's Day come Sunday.

Cooper joined Dane and Tez for the day and took home some tasty morsels for future seafood banquets.

Coral trout were hard to tempt during a recent northern bay mission for Dane and crew. This one fell victim to a live bait.

Masses of Baitfish Dramatically Improve Pier Fishery

After months of having to deal with port-hole herring and a lesser biomass beneath Urangan Pier, the good news this week is that the greenbacks have returned – in force. Masses of more desirable herring means great things for the pier's pelagic fishery, and return for effort has already improved.

Queenfish have been a welcome returnee, joining numbers of undersized school mackerel to round up the hapless herring. A decent yellowtail kingfish was landed this week, from what has been a small school of sizeable kingies lurking there on and off recently. One spanish mackerel was also landed, whilst more could be anticipated if the baby schoolies they love to eat continue to linger.

Pier regulars tend to get excited about the proposition of hooking passing longtail tuna. Select tides improve their chances, as does a free-swimming herring tossed towards fish that come within casting range. Herring ballooned away from the pier can work too but this technique is wind and tide reliant. All basic stuff really, whilst not nearly as credit-worthy as the same fish tricked into munching on some form of artificial.

With bream "on their last legs" beneath the pier, it is the flathead in the shallows of the first channel or along the slope out beyond the sandbank that will catch a few pier fishos' attention over these neap tides. A nice distraction offering sight-fishing opportunities, whilst awaiting the whiting schools likely to turn up with these northerlies or thereafter during better tides.

Dane loves his seafood, no matter how it comes.

Kyro and Kingy Ridgeway were proud as punch with their lap full of longtail tuna.

Time to Dust off the Beach Whiting Tackle

Yes, that time of year is upon us, where northerly winds pummel our north-facing town beaches drawing whiting schools in close to feed. The tides may be poor right now, lacking run due to the current set of neaps, but the present conditions are excellent for creating a fun future fishery. Waters too clear for whiting to feed in during daylight will soon turn a little 'milkier'. Could this northerly trigger an early run of whiting feeding in the stirred-up waters? You will only know if you go have a crack.

Yabbies pinned to longshank hooks on ultra-light tackle sporting minimal sinker weight will be the whitings' undoing if they are there. Worms or peeled prawns making acceptable alternatives for those of you unable to pump yabbies. The latter stage of the rising tide is likely to be most productive, followed by the early stage of the ebb.

Much better whiting fishing can be anticipated closer to the next new moon in a week's time. A few days of northerly will have created the right 'soup' for the whiting to be drawn to, and the much bigger tides will trigger their feeding response. A better class of whiting will join their smaller brethren along our town beachscape, and the fringes beyond town will be worth trying too.

Those that would rather maximise the fun factor whilst catching shore-based whiting can put in some low tide effort with tiny topwater offerings on sharper-sloped beaches. Flatter terrain elsewhere being just as conducive at other times of tide. Trying to punch such ultra-light lures into a head-on breeze will be foolish, so choose your location/s based on the prevailing breeze. The Booral Flats offer excellent conditions should the north-wester dominate.

Eddie Whittle having a ball culling tilapia from his home lake. Well done son.

Kade Whittle can catch fish in a puddle. Doing his bit for our waterways by removing as many tilapia as possible.

Amberjack pull like the proverbial freight trains and are quite common on the shoals and the shelf east of Breaksea Spit.

Lukas was happy with this offshore kingy. Happy it wasn't any bigger most likely.

Algal Blooms Impact Hervey Bay Waters

Fraser Island surf fishos are rightly nervous about the potential impact of the dreaded snot weed in the island's surf gutters, yet in recent weeks, it has been the open waters of the northern bay that have been impacted. From Platypus Bay to the Southern Gutters, there is a suspended mess of snot weed playing havoc with both bait and lure fishos. Head further north and you will drive beyond the affected waters, so let's hope the prevailing northerlies don't push it further into the southern bay.

This snot weed is annoying because it gathers on your line, bulks-up on baits, hooks, jig heads and leader knots, all the while lessening your chances of a sneaky natural presentation. Thick enough weed accumulated can end up jamming up rod tips, guides and even laying a mess onto your reel. Did the unusually prevalent onshore winds this winter send it bay-bound? Not for me to surmise.

Also becoming more obvious, without the same negative effects, is the emergence of Trichodesmium (sometimes referred to as sea sawdust). Imagining a filamentous bacterium isn't as easy as an 'algal bloom', so that is what we tend to refer to this end-of-winter phenomenon as colloquially. Trichodesmium is highly beneficial to our nutrient-poor tropical waters, being the kick starter food source at the base of the food chain to a wonderful micro-organism biomass that so many creatures, including our piscatorial friends, rely on further up the food chain. This bloom will be with us for a few months to come.

A step up the very same food chain are the dinoflagellates that can be held responsible for the ciguatera toxin issues we have to live with in Platypus Bay waters. A bloom of these microbiomic life forms often occurs in October and directly impacts small demersal fishes and other creatures living in or above the substrate in Platypus Bay. Renowned for the worst ciguatera outbreaks known in Australia, this is why consuming certain predatory species that feed on select bottom-dwelling creatures in Platypus Bay is so risky that bans are in place. Case in point – spanish mackerel.

In a month or so's time, over the new moon period, there will be the annual coral spawning event that will see yet another stain of floating (and suspending) matter quite evident in the bay, offshore and right throughout the GBR. One more rung of our wondrous tropical waters food chain.

Nothing to be concerned about with any of the above, apart from some inconvenience with the snot weed perhaps. More likely to impact the inshore fishos, and particularly whiting fans fishing Fraser's western shores and the straits, is the red-brown algal weed that breaks away from its wintertime rocky hangouts with warming spring waters. Suss out future fishing grounds and if the 'weed' is an issue, then move elsewhere. Carried by the tides, you can still find spots free of this scourge and happily catch your next bag limit of 'ting. No word of this phenomenon at this stage by the way.

Massive estuary cod stretched Dane and crew prior to release when possible. This big old fish went back none the worse for wear.

Cod, cod and more cod. The big garbage-gutses were certainly on the chew mid-week out wide.

What would you rather do battle with Terry - Mondy barra or slimy old estuary cod.

Yellowfin tuna have turned up along the continental shelf. There will be more and bigger models to follow soon.

Lack of Life = Lack of Sharks

Good enough "bosses' weather" a couple of days ago saw a few crews head for the waters of the northern bay. Apart from the snot weed issue mentioned above, some found the going a bit tough on grounds at the Gutters that were remarkably devoid of "life". Sounder screens are expected to light-up with colourful interpretations of the fish below, yet on quite a few grounds otherwise known for accommodating ample reef fish and pelagics, there was very little to be seen.

The reef fish bite was quite sluggish accordingly, yet on the upside, the fish hooked were mostly hauled all the way to the boat without being taxed by sharks. Coral trout took live baits and lures, just in smaller numbers than hoped. Some decent-sized models were in the mix too, which may not have been landed at other times when the sharks are unbeatable.

The usual mix of other reef fish hit the deck, including venus tuskfish, squire, grassy sweetlip and nannygai. Just not that many of them in a pretty tough bite apparently. Making up for the lack of action from more desirable species though, were some rather large estuary cod. In fact, some grounds were lousy with chunky cod, and very little else.

Snapper were found at the 25 Fathom Hole, but again, only very few. Cobia were caught there and further north at the Gutters. Baitfish were prolific enough in the central bay, with yakkas leading the charge amongst a substantial mix of baitfish-types that included plenty of slimy mackerel. So, the baitfish are still out there, and good things can be expected on the snapper front on better tides around the new moon.

Offshore, there was a bit of action for those trolling the Sandy Cape Shoals and the nearby continental shelf. Spaniards were found over the shoal country, and yellowfin tuna on the shelf. At least one marlin was hooked and lost. Bound to be more of the same in coming months as hot water from up north pours down our way.

Red emperor were caught bottom-bashing, along with the usual mix of shoal dwellers such as venus tuskfish, red throat and other tasty reefies. Amberjack and yellowtail kingfish put the hurt on at least one crew, as bycatch whilst chasing reefies. Great jigging opponents if you are keen for a tussle. Flamies, pearlies and bar cod from the depths of the continental slope found their way to the surface attached to deep drop rigs.

Closer inshore, it has been challenging to beat the sharks at popular hotspots, yet a feed is possible for the mobile fisho. Snapper can still be expected this month, so try again if we get the weather come new moon time. Otherwise, try for coral trout on the deeper reefs and expect some estuary cod bycatch. It won't be long and the shallow reef coral trout fishery will come online. The new moon in October would be a prime time to be prepared for them if not before.

Mention of winter whiting off Gatakers Bay was heard last week. Northerlies will put paid to that option until the winds drop or return to southerly origins. There should be ample winteries elsewhere close to shore too, from the grounds west of Woody Island to those north of the island. Straits fishos continue to catch a feed, though their focus is shifting to the much larger and slightly more challenging summer whiting down there no doubt.

Snapper from central bay grounds were tough over the neaping tides. Expect better things come the new moon.

Terry Allwood of Flick It Charters fame took time out from Mondy to hit our northern bay reefs with Dane.

Lukas with a brace of fine red emperor from a recent offshore session.

Nice big snapper can be found offshore in numbers. Get out there when the weather lets you, before the springtime current picks up.

Great Sandy Straits Warming into Spring

Pelagic activity within the deeper shipping channels of the Great Sandy Straits is building with the onset of spring. Yellowtail kingfish have been reported hanging around the jetty at Kingfisher Bay Resort, where other pelagics such as mackerel could pay a visit any day. Fishing for flathead and bream can while away the hours between high-speed bites over there, where a wander along the beach with whiting tackle could be productive on bigger tides.

School mackerel have found their way into the mouth of the Mary River. Fishos spinning from the rocks at River Heads have been catching them, albeit only small ones. So many undersized fish some days might warrant retrofitting spoons and slugs with singles in lieu of trebles just to minimise the damage to the baby mackerel. Schoolies are also working the mouth of the Burrum too apparently, so go catch some, or avoid them if you are not a fan.

The creeks of the straits are home to all sorts of estuary predators, including barramundi and threadfin salmon. Blue salmon can be found out the front on the flats and in the channels, in the same waters you will find some of the best grunter at present. Mangrove jacks will be welcoming this warmer weather with attitude, so feel free to pit your skills against some early season red dogs if you are up to the task.

If that seems too daunting, then you can fall back on one of the simplest pleasures of estuarine fishing, and go chase flathead. It is flatty prime time right now as they are mid-spawn mode and quite aggressive. Neap tides can demand a slightly different approach to the springs, but the same techniques will still pin plenty. There is no lure fishery simpler than flathead fishing, so invest in a couple of soft plastics, some matching jig heads and maybe a handful of shallow-diving hard bodies and go target them in the skinny water. You can sight-fish to them in clear waters at this time, so it is extra-enjoyable right now.

Local sand whiting fans will be waiting for the better tides closer to the new moon to hunt their favoured quarry yet again. Pumping yabbies at low tide then soaking them on a flat or near a creek mouth in a rising tide is another of life's simple pleasures. Bag limits are quite easy to achieve, so if you aren't catching then you need to be moving.

Brax Empson dragged this solid black-spotted estuary cod from a local snag on the author's favourite hardbody. Get out of it, Brax!

C'mon Braxxy, we know it's you hiding behind that barra. Let dad catch some on Father's Day for a change can you please.

Jack Mostert has been banging his way around the straits and the lower bay, catching some fine fish like this flatty.

Jack Jones with a big salty on a prawn imitation. A firm favourite of many scopers and others fishos alike.

Rivers Will Be Ultra-Popular This Weekend

This north wind will drive a lot of crews to our local river systems this weekend, where they are bound to do quite well. A good barra bite is expected, to continue on and improve from what has been a particularly good winter bite. Choose the Burrum and you will have ample barra to gawk at on your sounder whilst trying to tempt them. They should be easy enough in all but the areas being flogged relentlessly.

The Burrum's threadies will also be on the chew, and its jacks will fire up a notch with warmer conditions. Having four rivers to choose from can spread the effort on the Burrum system, yet accumulations of fish in some stretches can tend to draw a crowd. Be courteous to those around you and respect the right of those that beat you to a spot. There are oodles of locations you can try in lieu of where others are, and you might even find the motherlode.

Fish the Mary system instead if you prefer. Its bigger fish are a very real drawcard for those that are trophy hunters. Be it barra or threadfin salmon, there is no denying the Mary's bigger fish dwarf most of those elsewhere. Having said that, you will still need to track them down, so trust your sounder and don't waste time on lifeless locations. The threadies and the barra are pretty hyperactive day and night this time of year and will be spurred into action even more-so with this warmer weather.

Clearer waters in both river systems mean you can try multiple different lure options with confidence. Realistic imitations will be appealing to fish enjoying good underwater visibility. Leave the outlandish colours and weird profiles for flood waters later in summer. Try your hand at topwater while the opportunity is so prime. Mimic prawn and/or baitfish with different retrieves to see what they are feeding on. If it is both (which it is) then you can mix it up.

There are many other species you can target in our rivers, and plenty of potential bycatch. Bull sharks are active enough to warrant some effort by those inclined to chase them, whilst also worth avoiding by those trying not to. Prone to snatch larger live baits meant for barra, the baby bulls can be a real handful on barra tackle. Bigger models are more likely to home in on hooked fish, as are some serious groper in certain waters.

You can have some fun just chasing flathead in clear waters within the mid-lower reaches of the Burrum or the Mary. Whiting are an option in the lower Susan in a week, and you can expect another good run of large sand whiting in the Burrum and the Gregory come the new moon. Bream will be there if they excite you, as will greenback tailor most likely, and improving numbers of grunter.

So, there is much to look forward to this weekend, regardless of the so-called 'dreaded northerly'. That breeze only annoys open water and bay fishos. Estuary fishos welcome it with open arms. Happy Father's Day to all the fishing dads out there. May your Sunday be extra-special and full of fishy family memories to cherish forever.

Good luck out there y'all …… Jase