Ultimate Guide To Fishing At The Gold Coast:

• Summer: Late spring through early autumn is prime for whiting in this area.
• Winter: The cooler months are perfect for tailor and jewfish, particularly late autumn and early winter, when mullet runs cause jewfish to aggregate near river mouths.
• Tide Changes: Both incoming and outgoing tides are productive, with outgoing tides particularly good for jewfish as they prey on fish and prawns swept out by the current.
• Light to Moderate Wind: Creates ideal surface conditions that can enhance baitfish activity and in turn, predator feeding.

• Casting along current lines for tailor and jewfish, where food is naturally concentrated. Fishing the ends of the breakwalls with hard bodies or large soft plastic paddletails during periods of flooding can be especially effective.
• Bottom fishing with weighted soft plastics, soft prawns or soft vibes for jewfish, targeting deeper channels and holes.
• Drifting and casting lures during high tide for whiting along sandy flats and drop-offs. Pay extra attention to areas with broken weed beds interspersed with sandy bottom.

• Snapper: Snapper tend to be in close and in shallower waters during the cooler months, from late autumn to early spring (be aware of the closed season that falls in this period). During the warmer months the snapper fishing can be better out wide on the deeper reefs.
• Mackerel: Best targeted from late spring through summer when these species migrate through the area.
• Cobia: Can turn up at any time of year, but are more common from spring through to autumn.
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• Bottom Fishing: Use soft plastics and slow pitch jigs for snapper and cobia, focusing on the areas around the reef structure.
• Trolling: Effective for catching mackerel, using spoons or deep-diving lures along the current lines near the reef.
• Fast Jigging: using larger jigs is effective on cobia and will also take mackerel, at times.

• A rising tide enhances access to sand flats and weed beds where predatory fish hunt for food. Ideal fishing times are during rising tides as more areas become accessible to both fish and anglers. Boating anglers need to be careful not to be trapped by a falling tide.
• Calm, sunny days are perfect for visual fishing and using topwater lures, especially earl and late in the day. This is a clearwater system, so a little breeze to ripple the surface can help conceal the angler and embolden the fish during the brighter parts of the day.

• Bottom Fishing: Use soft plastics and slow pitch jigs for snapper and cobia, focusing on the areas around the reef structure.
• Trolling: Effective for catching mackerel, using spoons or deep-diving lures along the current lines near the reef.
• Fast Jigging: using larger jigs is effective on cobia and will also take mackerel, at times.

• General: Best fishing times are during high tides when fish like mangrove jack move closer to shore and into creek channels to feed.
• Summer: Excellent for targeting mangrove jack around snags and pylons as they are more active and aggressive. Flathead also bite well through summer.
• Winter: Bream gather in deeper parts of the creek, while flathead are commonly found along sandy flats warming in the sun.
• Mild to moderate wind is ideal as it stirs up the water, encouraging fish to feed.
• Sunny Days: Best for flathead as they enjoy sunning in shallow waters.

• Structure Fishing: Target mangrove jack by casting close to submerged logs, rock walls, and bridge pylons using paddle tail soft plastics.
• Flats Fishing: Drift over sandy areas during high tide for flathead using soft plastics.
• Edge Fishing: Cast along the mangrove edges during high tides for bream using crankbaits.

• General: Best fishing during warmer months when mangrove jack are more active.
• Rising Tide enhances access to mangroves and structure where mangrove jack and bream are prevalent.
• Calm, sunny days are ideal for visual fishing and using topwater lures.

• Surface Fishing: Use poppers and walk-the-dog style lures during early morning or late afternoon for aggressive topwater strikes from mangrove jack.
• Jigging grubs is effective along drop-offs and deeper channels for bream using weighted soft plastics.

• Fishing is generally productive throughout the year, with early morning and late afternoon being the best times to target active fish.
• Summer: Excellent for targeting Saratoga with surface lures during dawn and dusk around weed beds and lily pads. Australian bass are also more active, particularly near submerged timber.
• Bass can be caught year-round, but it’s best to focus on fishing deeper during the hotter months and shallower over the cooler months.
• Winter: Yellowbelly are commonly found near rocky outcrops and submerged structures, responding well to slow-moving soft plastics. Australian bass can be targeted in deeper water using spinnerbaits.
• Mild to Moderate Wind: Ideal as it creates ripples on the surface, making fish less wary and more likely to strike.
• Overcast Days: Best for all species, particularly Australian bass, as they are more active and venture into shallower areas.

• Structure Fishing: Target Australian bass and Yellowbelly by casting spinnerbaits and soft plastics close to submerged timber and rocky outcrops.
• Surface Fishing: Focus on Saratoga during low light conditions using surface lures around weed beds and lily pads. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times.
• Deep Water Fishing: In cooler months, target Yellowbelly and Australian bass in deeper water using slow-moving soft plastics and spinnerbaits.

• General: Best fishing times are during incoming tides, particularly early morning, and late afternoon when fish are more active and feeding closer to shore.
• Winter: The cooler months are definitely the prime times to fish Burleigh Heads. Bream gather in larger numbers, making them easier to target from the shore or around rock ledges. Trevally are also active and can be found around deeper rock pools and ledges. Tailor tend to roam the foamy, washy areas.
• Calm Conditions: Ideal for fishing from the rocks, ensuring safety and better lure presentation.
• Overcast Days: Best for all species, as fish are less wary and more likely to venture closer to shore.

• Rock Fishing: Target tailor and trevally by casting metal slugs and hardbody minnows from rock ledges. Ensure safety by watching the waves and choosing stable fishing spots.
• Beach Fishing: Focus on bream and tailor during incoming tides using soft plastics and hardbody minnows. Cast towards gutters and deeper channels.
• Edge Fishing: Work soft plastics along the edges of rocky outcrops and sandy patches for bream and trevally. Adjust your retrieve speed to match the species’ behaviour.

• Wet Season: Fishing can be productive, especially in the leadup to new and full moons, fishing on the tide turns. Anything can turn up in the seaway at these times.
• Dry Season: Jewfish tend to move closer to structure and deeper areas, trevally and tailor feed aggressively in the washy areas.
• High Tide: Enhances fishing potential by bringing fish closer to the wall and into shallower water accessible from shore or kayak.
• Clear Nights: Ideal for targeting jewfish with soft plastics mimicking squid or large baitfish.
• Windy Conditions: Can stir up baitfish, making metal jigs and surface lures more effective as they create more disturbance.

• Vertical Jigging: Effective in targeting jewfish and trevally, using quick jerks to simulate fleeing fish.
• Cast and Retrieve: Best for tailor, casting parallel to the wall and retrieving quickly to provoke strikes.

• Incoming Tide: This is when the river’s flow brings in clean, salty water, which can stimulate fish activity, making it an optimal time for fishing.
• Summer: Higher chances of encountering aggressive mangrove jack as they are more active in warmer temperatures.
• Winter: Bream tend to aggregate around deeper structures, making them easier to target with crankbaits.
• Light Rain: Can enhance fishing conditions by increasing cloudiness in the water, drawing fish closer to the surface and shorelines. Too much rain can shut down the bite.

• Casting Along Structures: Effective for reaching mangrove jack that prefer the cover of overhanging trees or submerged logs. Use EWG hooks and weedless rigged soft plastics for this.
• Vertical Jigging: Works well around deep structures like bridge pylons for bream.

• General: The best fishing at Marine Stadium typically occurs during the warmer months when fish are more active. Squid can be targeted year-round, but are most prolific during spring and autumn.
• Rising Tide: Enhances access to deeper channels and structure where flathead and bream are often found.
• Calm, Clear Nights: Ideal for squid fishing, as squid are attracted to light and clear water conditions are preferable for visual fishing.

• Squid Fishing: Utilize bright, glowing squid jigs and focus on areas around artificial lights such as piers and jetties during the night.
• Soft Plastics: Cast and retrieve soft plastics along the sandy bottoms and structure for flathead. Use a hopping motion to mimic injured baitfish.
• Vibes and Blades: These lures are effective when jigged vertically in deeper channels. The vibration and flash attract bream and trevally.
• Surface Fishing: Target bream with small poppers and stickbaits during low light conditions. Walk-the-dog retrieves can provoke aggressive strikes.

• The area’s diverse habitat and sheltered waters support year-round fishing opportunities.
• Best Tides: While fishable at all tides, the last two hours of an outgoing tide can be particularly productive for flathead as they feed on prey being washed out of estuaries and creeks.
• Light winds: Ideal for light tackle fishing; allows for wind assisted casting and stealthy approaches.

• Bottom Fishing with Jigs: Effective for flathead, particularly along sandy bottoms where they camouflage.
• Drift Fishing: Excellent for covering larger areas when targeting whiting; keeps the stickbaits or soft plastics moving enticingly through feeding zones.
• Spot Fishing from Shore: Cast towards structure or drop-offs where bream are likely to congregate.

• Summer: Excellent for flathead, which are more active in warmer waters.
• Winter: Good for jewfish and trevally, which tend to move into shallower waters within the island’s shelter.
• Bream can be targeted year-round, but tend to frequent the shallow shorelines over summer, especially when high tides concur with daw and dusk periods.
• Incoming Tide: Brings in cleaner, nutrient-rich water, enhancing fish activity around the island.
• Weather: Light to moderate winds are preferable, as they do not disturb the water too much yet provide enough movement to keep fish active.

• Hopping and dropping with soft plastics near the bottom can attract flathead and jewfish.
• Surface Popping for trevally and bream early in the morning or late in the evening.
• Drift Fishing along the edge of sandbanks during tide changes maximizes coverage of different depths and habitats.

• High Tide: Fish move closer to shore, increasing catch rates.
• Summer: Best for flathead as they feed aggressively in warmer waters. Whiting are also more active during the warmer months, usually from October through until March
• Winter: Prime time for bream, although flathead can also be caught, especially when fishing shallow banks during sunny afternoons.

• Casting Along Edges: Target the edges of the creek where water movement brings food, attracting fish.
• Slow Retrieve: Effective for both soft plastics and hard bodies, mimicking the natural movement of prey. Keep it moving for whiting, introduce occasional pauses for flathead.

• Tidal Influence: The incoming tide brings in cleaner, saltier water, which enhances fish activity around the island’s structures. This is the prime time to deploy lures.
• Structural Hotspots: Focus on areas around pontoons and under jetties where bream tend to hide. Flathead often lie on sandy bottoms close to drop-offs and are more active during tide changes.

• Soft Plastic Rigging: Use a light jig head to keep your lure close to the underwater structures without snagging.
• Surface Lure Tactics: Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to use surface lures when bream are more likely to feed on the surface.

• Best Times: Early mornings and late afternoons are peak times for activity, taking advantage of lower light conditions which larger fish prefer.
• Tidal Influence: Strong tidal flows here enhance fishing opportunities by bringing in fresh bait and stirring up bottom dwellers.
• Weather: Favourable conditions include overcast skies which can extend optimal fishing times beyond early morning and late afternoon.

• Casting soft plastics and working them close to structure can yield good results for all species, particularly around structured areas like jetties and submerged objects.
• Hopping soft plastic paddletails or soft vibes along the bottom can be effective on jewfish at times.

• Summer: Best for mangrove jack in the canals, as they are more active in warmer conditions.
• Winter: Ideal for bream, which are attracted to the deeper, cooler waters of the bay.
• All Seasons: Flathead are consistently present, but peak during the spring spawn.
• Light Winds: Favourable for kayak fishing as they allow for stable conditions and clearer waters.

• Bottom Fishing: Effective for flathead using soft plastics that bounce along the seabed.
• Structure Fishing: Cast near submerged logs, rock walls, or jetty pylons with crankbaits for bream and mangrove jack.

• The outgoing tide is particularly effective at Girung Island, as it draws baitfish and other prey from the mangroves, making predators like Mangrove Jack and Bream more active and accessible.
• Warmer Months: Optimal for Mangrove Jack as they become more aggressive and are likely to strike at surface lures like poppers.
• Colder Months: Bream tend to gather in deeper, sheltered waters around the island, responding well to jigged soft plastics.

• Surface Popping: Cast poppers close to mangrove edges during early morning or late afternoon for the best action.
• Hop n Drop Soft Plastics: Effective for reaching Bream in deeper water or under mangrove canopies during low tides.

• Optimal Fishing Times: While fishing can be productive at all tides, the high tide often brings the best results as more areas become accessible and fish move closer to shorelines and structures.
• Seasonal Behaviour: Mangrove jack are particularly active during the warmer months, while trevally can be targeted year-round. Bream tends to increase in activity during the cooler months.
• Weather Influence: Lighter winds allow for better boat control and more precise lure placement. Overcast conditions can also increase fish activity near structures.

• Casting Close to Structures: Ideal for mangrove jack, using soft plastics to probe around jetties, under pontoons, and beside boat hulls.
• Using Crankbaits: Effective for covering a larger area when searching for trevally and bream, especially along canal edges where these fish patrol for food.

• Tides: Productive fishing can be experienced at all tide levels. High tides allow deeper access to estuaries and mangroves, while low tides can expose structure where fish may lurk.
• Summer: Early morning or late evening are best to avoid the heat and recreational water traffic. Target flathead along sandy bottoms.
• Winter: Bream tend to move into deeper, warmer waters. Focus on deeper drops and channels.
• Spring/Autumn: Transition periods can bring active feeding as water temperatures change, making it a great time for targeting all three species with varied techniques.
• Wind: Light to moderate winds are ideal. Strong winds can make kayak fishing challenging and may stir up sediment, reducing water clarity.
• Rain: Light rain can improve fishing conditions by washing insects and organic material into the water, but heavy rain might decrease salinity and push fish out to deeper water.

• Casting Close to Structures: Ideal for mangrove jack, using soft plastics to probe around jetties, under pontoons, and beside boat hulls.
• Using Crankbaits: Effective for covering a larger area when searching for trevally and bream, especially along canal edges where these fish patrol for food.

• Early Morning: The best time to target both bream and flathead as they feed actively.
• High Tide: Enhances accessibility to deeper parts along the banks where bigger fish like to feed.
• Tide Influence: High tide provides the best conditions for targeting deeper areas along the banks, increasing chances of encountering flathead.
• Seasonal Movements: During warmer months, flathead become more aggressive, making soft plastics particularly effective.

• Bottom Fishing with Soft Plastics: Dragging or jigging soft plastics along the bottom can be particularly productive for flathead.
• Casting Crankbaits for Bream: Utilizing light tackle with small to medium crankbaits around submerged structures or vegetated areas.

• Outgoing Tide: The best time for targeting flathead as they lie in wait in the deeper channels to ambush prey being washed out with the tide.
• Summer and Spring: Peak seasons for mangrove jack, which are more active in warmer temperatures.
• Wind and Weather: Light to moderate winds are ideal, as heavy winds can stir up sediment and decrease water clarity, making fishing challenging.

• Trolling along the edges of mangrove lines or deeper channels can be effective for locating actively feeding fish.
• Casting to snags and drop-offs with diving lures or soft plastic paddletails, particularly in areas with submerged logs or rock structures where mangrove jack often reside.
• Working topwater around natural structure for jacks, or drop-offs and weed beds for flathead.

• Spring and Summer: Best times for whiting, as they are more active and feed aggressively in warmer waters, especially around the new moon.
• Autumn and Winter: Flathead become more prevalent and larger, particularly near sandbanks during incoming tides.
• Clear, Calm Days: Ideal for using surface poppers and light jigs, as fish are more likely to feed in visible, shallow waters.

• Topwater Fishing: Effective in clear water conditions; watch for fish movements and cast ahead of the school or simply fan out casts to cover water, especially near small drains and dropoffs.
• Casting: Use lightly weighted paddletail soft plastics to bounce along the sandy bottom, attracting flathead lurking below.

• Summer: Prime for tailor near shores and flathead in sandy channels.
• Winter: Bream in deeper waters; flathead larger and more active.
• Run-out Tide: Ideal for ambush predators like flathead in outgoing channels.
• Mild Wind & Rain: Light wind is favourable; moderate rain can stimulate feeding but avoid heavy downpours.

• Drifting in deep channels targets flathead.
• Casting to Structure for bream hiding near features.
• Trolling for tailor with deep-diving lures in channels.

• Tidal Influence: Although fishing can be productive at all tides, the changing water levels during tide shifts can significantly enhance your chances as they stimulate fish activity.
• Seasonal Behaviour:
• Warmer Months: Jewfish are more active and can be found closer to the surface during early morning or late evening.
• Cooler Months: Trevally become more aggressive, providing thrilling fishing experiences, especially when using metal jigs.

• Jigging: Effective for both species, where rapid vertical movements near structural drop-offs can provoke strikes. Slow pitch jigging can also be effective.
• Poppers: cast around pressure points, flats and structures, especially where fish, bait or birds can be seen working.

• General: The best fishing at Coombabah Creek occurs during the warmer months when most species are more active. Squid fishing is good year-round, with peaks in spring and autumn.
• Rising Tide: This tide phase enhances access to mangroves and structured areas where fish like to feed.
• Calm, Clear Nights: Ideal for squid fishing, as they are attracted to light and prefer clear water conditions.

• Squid Fishing: Focus on areas with artificial light such as jetties and piers if fishing at night. Squidding can be very effective during the daytime as well. A slow, jerky retrieve works best with prawn style jigs.
• Soft Plastics: Cast and retrieve soft plastics along the sandy bottoms and around structure for flathead and bream. Use a hopping motion to mimic injured baitfish or crustaceans.
• Surface Fishing: Target bream and mangrove jack with poppers and stickbaits during low light conditions. Walk-the-dog retrieves can provoke aggressive strikes.

Key Spots at Coombabah Creek:

• Mangrove Edges: Provide shelter and food sources for bream and mangrove jack.
• Deep Channels: Good for targeting flathead and trevally, especially during rising tides.
• Lit Areas at Night: Perfect for squid fishing, as squid are drawn to light and tend to congregate around well-lit structures.