Fishing report for Bribie Island and Moreton Bay Areas – August 2025

As of late August 2025, fishing conditions in the Bribie Island and Moreton Bay regions are shaping up well, with improving weather and active fish movements typical of the transition from winter to spring in Southeast Queensland. The bay's shallow waters, estuaries and islands provide diverse habitats, from sandy flats to artificial reefs and channels. Recent reports indicate good action on schooling species and bottom feeders, though winds can still be variable. I'll break this down into the current report, summer prospects (December 2025 to February 2026), target species and recommended lures. 

Current fishing conditions (late winter/early spring) 

Recent weeks have seen some beautiful days on the water, with easing winds allowing for productive sessions. School mackerel are abundant and predictable, appearing in thick schools around Amity and Welsby Light, similar to their annual timing with whale migrations. Whiting are showing up in solid numbers, particularly close to Wynnum north of Darcy Light, with larger specimens in areas like the Rous Channel near the red beacon and the Blue Hole. Snapper fishing has been strong around closer islands like Green and St Helena, especially on favourable tides, with squire (juvenile snapper) and good-sized adults reported on artificial reefs like Harris. Flathead and bream are common in estuaries around Bribie Island, including Pumicestone Passage, with additional catches of cod, parrot, mulloway and moses perch. Offshore options include coral trout, sweetlip emperor and bonito, while tuna varieties are starting to appear for those venturing further. Estuary spots like Cockle Banks and the back flats north of Darcy Light are yielding flathead and whiting. Overall, the bay is fishing well, but target run-in tides for best results on whiting and snapper. 

Summer fishing prospects (December 2025–February 2026) 

Summer in Moreton Bay typically brings warmer waters (around 24–28°c), increased baitfish activity and an influx of pelagic species, making it one of the peak seasons for diverse fishing. Expect abundant bait schools drawing in predators, with strong runs of mackerel and tuna from September through May, extending into summer. Bottom-dwelling species like grass sweetlip, moses perch, cod and snapper should thrive due to the bait abundance, particularly around reefs and islands. Pelagics such as spotted mackerel, mac tuna and longtail tuna will be active on the surface, often attacking bait schools, with yellowtail kingfish and cobia also entering the bay to feed. Shore-based options around Bribie Island's beaches and western foreshores of Moreton Island will see good flathead, bream, dart and yellowfin whiting. Westerly winds may dominate, but mornings and evenings often provide calmer conditions for inshore reefs and bay waters. Reef fishing peaks in summer and autumn, so anticipate productive sessions around spots like the Rous Channel and artificial reefs. With no major cyclones noted in recent reports, prospects look solid but monitor weather for afternoon storms. 

Target fish species in these areas 

Moreton Bay and Bribie Island offer a mix of estuary, bay and offshore targets. In summer, focus on pelagics and reef species due to warmer waters and bait runs. Here's a table of key targets, their typical summer locations and tips: 

Fish Species	Common Locations in Moreton Bay/Bribie Island	Summer Tips
Snapper (including squire)	Artificial reefs (e.g., Harris, Curtin), islands like Green and St Helena, Rous Channel.	Abundant on bottom baits; larger fish around structure.
Whiting (diver/yellowfin	Sandy flats near Wynnum, Blue Hole, back flats north of Darcy Light, Bribie foreshores.	Surface feeders; use light tackle and worms/yabbies.
Mackerel (school/spotted)	Amity, Welsby Light, around Moreton Island, pelagic runs in open bay.	Fast trolling or casting to schools; year-round but peak summer.
Tuna (mac/longtail)	Surface schools near baitfish, offshore edges around islands.	Look for birds and boils; available spring-summer.
Flathead	Estuaries like Pumicestone Passage, Bribie beaches, Cockle Banks.	Ambush predators; drag lures along sandy bottoms.
Bream (yellowfin)	Western foreshores, Bribie jetty areas, intertidal zones.	Common shore catch; target with crabs or prawns.
Sweetlip (grass), Moses Perch, Cod	Inshore reefs, bait-rich areas around islands.	Bottom dwellers; thrive on summer bait abundance.
Coral Trout, Sweetlip Emperor, Bonito |	Offshore reefs, deeper channels.	Good in August, but stronger summer runs.
Dart, Kingfish, Cobia	Beaches on Moreton/Bribie Islands, pelagic zones.	Overlooked beach species; cobia follow rays.

Best lures to use this summer 

Summer fishing in these areas favours lures that mimic abundant baitfish, with soft plastics for bottom species and metals for pelagics. Light tackle (10-20lb line) works well in the bay. Here are a few top recommendations based on local success: 

- Soft Plastics (e.g. 2.5-inch Bait Junkie Grub or Minnow): Ideal for snapper, flathead and bream. Rig on 1/8th or 1/12th ounce jigheads for estuary work around Bribie. These smaller sizes attract a range of species in bait-rich waters. 

- Metal Slugs/Jigs (e.g. Halco Twisties or Raiders, 30-50g): Great for pelagics like mackerel and tuna. Use chrome silver for inshore casting; heavier weights for stronger currents. Match baitfish profiles for surface attacks. 

- Bibless Vibes or Weighted Poppers (e.g. 42g bibless lures): Effective off Bribie beaches for dart and flathead in gutters. Poppers add surface action for whiting or bream in shallows. 

- Crankbaits or Stickbaits: For bream and flathead on reefs; shallow divers like Aqua crankbaits work well in channels. 

Always check local regulations, including bag limits and marine park zones in Moreton Bay. For the latest updates, tune into local reports like Tahlia's on 101.5 FM or Fishing Monthly.  

Tight lines!