Fishing fanatics from far across the globe choose to travel to the shores of Fraser Island to experience the diverse fishing that the island has to offer.
The options of surf and beach fishing, estuary, reef and deep sea all are worthy of wetting your line and hopefully snagging a ” Big One.”
Rarely does a fisherman return to the shore with an empty esky.
Best Fraser Island Fishing Times?
Fraser Island fishing fanatics from across the globe, who choose to travel to the shores of Fraser Island to experience the best fishing in the world want to know one thing.
When is the best time to go fishing?
Best time for Tailor fishing?
- July to October Tailor fishing
During the winter months from July to October Tailor fishing is most popular with anglers.
They line the beach like dominos side by side hauling in fish one after another in the gutters.
When is the Whiting season?
- July to March is Whiting season
Some anglers visit the island purely for the Whiting season from July to March.
It is regarded as the best in Australia producing decent-sized fish that make a great fry pan feed and are also easy for the kids to catch.
Related: Catching Pipis – Beach fishing Bait for Whiting
When is Closed Fishing season?
- August 1 to September 30 is the closed fishing season
Fishing is restricted around the island during this time.
Fishing Opportunities for Smaller Boats
For those who don’t have a big boat or just don’t want to have the hassle of dragging it along the sandy tracks and rocky outcrops.
Don’t worry – there are plenty of prime opportunities for smaller boats and Tinneys under 5 feet at the northern end of the island off Indian head, Waddy point and Orchid Beach.
If the weather is under 10 knots you can get the Tinny and troll along the shoreline for Mackerel and Tuna either using lures or live bait using Yakkas.
You can also try your luck fishing around the Marloo wreck that is just 100m from the shore up at Orchid Beach.
Remember, that during the closed fishing season (August 1 to September 30) the boundary extends 500m to sea and to the north, and this includes boats from Waddy Point to Indian head. Be sure to read the yellow signs that are displayed on the beach at this time to comply with the fisheries boundaries.
Gear up for and target Tailor with gang hooks and pilchards or try your luck with metal lures and start reeling those fish in.
Calm Water Fishing (Fly fishing)
The calm waters around the channel edge off Moon Point. (On the western side of the island.) And the estuary waters at Wathumba creek (South of Moon Point ) are renowned as some of the best Saltwater fly fishing hot spots in Australia.
Fly fishers come from all over the world to cast on the flat, sandy shallows near the island for milkfish and the chance to snag the highly sought golden trevally, Flathead is the most common catch of the day along with dart and whiting.
You may even land a nice Bream or Mangrove Jack when fishing around the mouth of the freshwater creeks. If you are not fly fishing the common cuisine for the flathead is the One arm bandit yabby.
You can catch these critters at low tide on the sand banks using a yabby pump. A few of them on your line will surely whet their appetite and snag you a feed for dinner.
Launching The Boat for Reef Fishing
Reef Fishing
Healthy and vibrant fish life swim amongst the hard and soft corals around the artificial reef Roy Rufus.
Expanding coral varieties attach themselves to the reef, encouraging nutrients and plankton to the area which in turn attract the fish.
It is made from approx. 2500 car wrecks, 12000 car tyres and thousands of tonnes of concrete have been dumped.
Where there was once nothing but a flat sea bed, is now a thriving underwater sociological haven for fish, coral and other sea creatures.
The reef was named after Roy Rufus, who lost his life in tragic circumstances whilst diving the Artificial Reef.
Beach Fishing
Fraser Island can boast that it has the best beach fishing anywhere on the Australian coastline.
When you see hundreds of anglers standing waist-deep in the surf during the peak tailor season, then you will believe it.
Beach fishing is best in the surf gutters that are found between the beach and the sand banks.
This is where the breaking waves or white water stirs up the food and smaller fish that attract the bigger fish.
The best time to catch up is at dawn or dusk.
It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for birds feeding in the waters close to the shore.
These birds are a prime indicator that schools of fish are close by and a good place to cast your line.
Related: How to catch beach worms on Fraser Island
Rock Fishing
Fishing on the rocks around Waddy Point is a popular spot as are the coffee rock spots dotted along 75-mile Beach on the western side.
Fishing off the rocks at Waddy point on Low tide catches all the fish.
Waddy Point has a reputation for catching some decent-sized Dart and Tailor.
Cast into the white water as the waves break along the rocks. Be prepared to lose a bit of bait and tackle but rest assured it is worth it when you catch a beauty.
Always remember to be vigilant when fishing off rocks.
Never turn your back to the waves and be careful of slippery rocks.
Hint : If you are fishing off the rocks at low tide keep an eye out for fishing tackle stuck between rocks and a hard place. You will find all sorts of lures and sinkers and may be able to retrieve some of your own if you lost any yourself.
Squid Fishing
The secret is out…Fraser is the place for you to catch squid. Platypus Bay and the rocks off Waddy point are great spots. Squid like rocky outcrops as a place to hide.
Early mornings and at the peak of high tide have worked for us. Pick your brightest-coloured squid jig and start casting. Squid is easy to catch if you remember to keep the pressure on once they are hooked.
A 20L bucket with a lid is perfect to hold them in once caught. Just fill them with water, carefully put them in and wait for them to empty their ink sack.
Getting them into the boat without being squirted with black ink is the tricky bit, Practice makes perfect…
Related to Fishing: All About Catching Mud Crabs on Fraser Island
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