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The Sunshine Coast offers some great estuary, surf and reef fishing. From Caloundra’s Pumicestone Passage to Noosa Heads fishing can be world class with accessibility for all anglers. If unfamiliar with the fishing spot its best to check with the closest bait shop to where you wish to wet a line. The bait shop staff are a library of local knowledge, just ask, it’s worth checking out the photos on the notice boards too.

The Choose your Bait page will help with important bait decisions make or breaking any fishing outing..

Estuary Fish to target are whiting, bream, flathead through the river system all year round. Mangrove jack, river cod and moses perch can be found in the holes close to mangroves. Taylor, jew and school mackerel can be found toward the river mouth. During winter months May to August large sea bream can be caught in the deep holes during the day and the shallow sand bars of a night. The summer months September through to February larger sand whiting can be caught off the sand bars. If serious about good quality catches a boat is recommended, though sand flat fishing will almost always provide some action. An occasional surprise hook-up of a stingray or large jew will provide a challenge for even the hardened fisherman on light river gear.

Surf fish the rocky headlands, sandy surf gutters and protected bays up and down the coastline. Dart, bream, flathead and whiting can be caught year round. Jew can be targeted and are plentiful during May with best catches usually being made at night. June to August in the late afternoon quality taylor can be caught. When the taylor are on all levels of fisherman can have a ball. Find a gutter with ocean access; the fish will swim in looking for baitfish, providing constant strikes as the sun is setting. During the winter months target sea bream, mackerel and dart when the west winds are at you back. Summer fishing can be patchy, targeting whiting is your best bet, find a secluded beach away from crowds.

Deep Sea access through the Mooloolaba boat harbour is the safest way to enter the ocean. Caloundra and Noosa bar also offer blue water access in good weather and swell conditions. Smaller boats should stick close to the coastline for quality catches of small reef fish, mackerel, taylor and bream. The most popular spot is the Barwon banks 30 km off Mooloolaba. This spot like most outer reefs needs good wind and swell conditions, for information on the hot spots check with the local tackle shop. Closer to the coastline try Three Mile Reef, Five Mile Reef, Black Buoy and Old Woman Island for catches of snapper, pearl perch, cod, sweetlip and other reef fish.