Fraser Island
Fraser Island which is located some 300kms north of
Brisbane is the largest sand island in the world. Its is around 123kms long, and 22kms at its widest point and features at least 40 lakes including half of the world's perched dune lakes. With the purest strain of dingo and over 300 bird species,
Fraser Island was World Heritage Listed in December 1992.
Fishing Spots
In regards to
fishing,
Fraser Island is most famous for the northern run of
tailor which happens between July and October from the middle to northern half of Seventy
Five Mile Beach. During this time, many anglers seek out the
tailor schools, casting out using unweighted pilchards (mulies) on ganged-hooks. There are some good rocky spots namely
Waddy Point, Middle Rocks and
Indian Head which is located at the northern end of Seventy
Five Mile Beach. These spots attract
tailor, bream, mackerel and shark.
Tips
During the
tailor run off Seventy
Five Mile Beach, large
tailor schools can be found by looking for congregating sea birds and the ‘boiling’ water action that
tailor schools produce.
Cape York
Cape York Peninsula, located in far
north Queensland is undoubtedly, every four-wheel-driver's ultimate destination. The peninsula features undisturbed tropical rainforests and savannas, sandy beaches, abundant river systems with crystal clear creeks and spectacular waterfalls. The estuaries and tidal wetlands of
Cape York Peninsula contain some of the most well developed mangrove habitats in
Australia.
Fishing Spots
Weipa and the adjacent Albatross Bay has fantastic shallow water inshore angling for
barramundi, mangrove jacks, flathead, estuary cod, queenfish and trevally. The mighty Wenlock River, north of Wiepa is superb for huge
barramundi, particularly around its mouth near Cullen Point and up into the tidal stretches. The jetty at
Seisia offers superb
fishing as because the structure delves deep into the sandy channel between the mainland and Red Island. The jetty pylons habitat schools of herring which in turn attract big queenfish, trevally, mackerel, barracuda, cod and the odd
barramundi. At the northern tip of the peninsula,
Cape York features many exciting deep drop-offs and reefs where
coral trout and golden snapper are the catch of the day. Pelagic fish such as mackerel are often seen feeding just off the rocks and in the channel between
Cape York and Eborac Island.
Tips
When
fishing around
Cape York keep a look out for pelagic fish and any sea birds that may be working above. Most bottom feeding fish on the other hand can be caught on the reefs. Golden snapper,
barramundi, trevally, queenfish and salmon are often caught along the foreshore at high tide. A good idea is to check the bottom at low tide and look for rough-bottom areas, then go back to the same spot at high tide. Also, you should get better results using live bait.
Cape York Peninsula is saltwater crocodile country, so be very cautious and take heed of the yellow warning signs. Click for more information on
Crocodiles in Queensland.
Townsville
Townsville is located around 1,300kms north of
Brisbane and lies on the shores of Cleveland Bay which is broad, shallow (half the bay is less than five metres deep) and moderately protected from the prevailing winds. The
Ross River flows through the city and the combination of weirs, fish stocking and dredging has resulted in a deep, clean and stable waterway.
Fishing Spots
Cleveland Bay has extensive mangrove areas especially around the creek entrances. Working these spots may produce mangrove jacks and
barramundi.
Fishing from the stone walls at
Ross Creek which is the main boat harbour in Townsville can be quite productive, with the chance of bream, flathead, whiting, trevally and
barramundi. The
Ross River holds
barramundi,
mangrove jack, queenfish, fingermark, javelin fish and threadfin salmon, and is best targeted during low tide. Several weirs higher up the
Ross River have been well stocked with
barramundi, providing anglers a good chance of catching a ten plus kilo barra on the river itself. The chance significantly after heavy rains because many fish escape these weirs.
Tips
When
fishing for
barramundi in the
Ross River, live-baiting is the best method. Local anglers use live bait on a No. 5/0 hook deep under a float with a nylon trace. Most
barramundi are landed at dawn or dusk at the edges of weed beds or at creek mouths.
Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay is a tourist hotspot seeing more than half a million tourists each year. It’s a dynamic and rapidly growing coastal centre featuring calm waters, pristine beaches, and supporting many tourist activities such as
fishing, whale watching and providing a gateway to
Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef.
Fishing Spots
The relatively safe waters of Hervey Bay and the Great Sandy Strait feature numerous tidal flats, mangrove creeks, reefs, sand flats and submerged ledges. Hervey Bay’s waters are sandy and quite shallow, but have compressed sand (coffee rock) reef and ledges which habitat
coral trout,
red emperor, parrot fish, pink snapper, sweetlip, trevally, cobia and mackerel.
The best location for shore
fishing in Hervey Bay is Urangan Pier which is located at Dayman Point. Here anglers predominantly target whiting especially in the peak period of spring. Plenty of baitfish such as hardyheads,
garfish and herring swarm under the pier attracting pelagic fish such as queenfish, Spanish and school mackerel, trevally and tuna. Game anglers often gather at the outer end of the pier which is in deeper waters, baiting up with live herring to target these pelagic species. Other good spots for whiting as well as bream include Shelley Beach, the Urangan Steps (just west of the pier) and the Great Sandy Strait Marina walls.
Tips
Fishing during winter yields bream,
tailor and jewfish while spring and summer produces big flathead and whiting.
WA Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Western Australia.
[Feature Story]
Fishing Spots in WA
Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in Western Australia and provides some helpful tips.
Topics Index
Each Topic contains a range of detailed and useful articles on products, services and issues. This section is full of practical tips, ideas, photos and factual information. Each topic has links to relevant Manufacturers, Retailers and Operators that can be found in our Directory; plus links to relevant Posts in our Forum; and links to related Trader listings.
Fishing
Our Fishing index page includes Favourite Catches, tips for River & Estuary Fishing, Beach Fishing and Offshore fishing, as well as Fishing Rules and Regulations for every state of Australia. Next time you're off on a trip with the rods and reels, check out this page for the latest tips & information.
Offshore Fishing
Ever wondered why some offshore boat anglers catch more quality fish than others? The main key to success lies with knowledge, experience, and of course - plenty of practice!! Like anything, developing good knowledge and habits earlier on - makes better practice. This article will give you a brief heads up on offshore fishing techniques - including rigs, technology and much more.
NSW Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in New South Wales.
VIC Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Victoria.
QLD Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Queensland.
SA Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in South Australia.
NT Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in the Northern Territory.
TAS Fishing Rules
Fishing in Australian salt and fresh waters is governed by state rules and regulations and must be strictly followed as these laws are in place to ensure fisheries are ecologically sustainable. This guide touches on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Tasmania.
Fishing Spots in SA
Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in South Australia and provides some helpful tips.
Fishing Spots in NT
Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in the Northern Territory and provides some helpful tips.
Fishing Spots in TAS
Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in Tasmania and provides some helpful tips.
Fishing Spots in NSW & ACT
Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in New South Wales (including ACT) and provides some helpful tips.
Fishing Spots in VIC
Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in Victoria and provides some helpful tips.
Inland Fishing
Australia is the world’s driest inhabited continent with 70% receiving between 100 and 350mm of rainfall annually. So with such little rainfall, you may wonder whether Australia has a good freshwater fishery. This article explores Australia's inland fishing possibilities and includes a general overview of what to catch, where and how.
Beach Fishing
Put on your wet weather overalls, berley up the water and cast a 70 plus metre line to get past the breakers - this is the typical lifestyle of the dedicated beach angler. With around 7000 beaches to choose from, Australia offers plenty of opportunities to target coastal fish such as tailor, salmon and mulloway.
