Fishing Report: Late April to Mid-May 2026 – Bribie Island & Pumicestone Passage

G’day all, hope your month of fishing has been a cracker. Having a look around the area and the reports coming through, here’s my general overall take on how things have been fishing for land-based anglers in the Bribie Island and Pumicestone Passage channels and flats from the end of April through to mid-May. 

The changeover from autumn into the cooler months is definitely underway. Water temperatures have dropped noticeably and we’ve had some unsettled weather with variable winds at times, which made things tricky on some days. Still, when the tides and wind lined up, the passage and accessible shore spots have fished quite well for this time of year. 

Overall picture by species 

Whiting: One of the standouts again. Good numbers and some solid fish have been coming from the shallower flats and channel edges, especially on peeled prawns and worms. The last few hours of the incoming tide have been the most productive for many anglers. 

Bream: Improving nicely as the water cools. Better-sized fish are showing around the structure, bridge pylons and mangrove edges. Fresh bait and small plastics have both worked well. 

Flathead: Very consistent on the flats and shallow channels. Areas around the oyster jetty flats, mainland side and near White Patch have produced good numbers, including plenty of keepers in the 40-50cm range. Soft plastics fished early morning or late afternoon on the runout tide have been effective. I’ve also had great success using prawns at White Patch. 

Other action: First signs of tailor moving through the system — chopper sizes so far, with better fish likely to follow. Grunter have been more active in the passage on plastics and yabbies. Squid numbers are building in the channels, particularly in low light. Mangrove Jack are still possible in the creeks, but slowing down. Jewfish/Mulloway remain sporadic around deeper holes and bridge areas, best targeted at night or on slack tide with bigger baits. 

Crabbing has stayed fairly reliable for both sand and mud crabs in the passage after the recent water flows. 

General takeaways: 

The land-based fishing has been steady rather than spectacular, with the best results coming on the change of tide in the shallower protected spots. Fresh local baits are still hard to beat, but soft plastics have accounted for plenty of flathead and grunter. Popular easy-access areas include the Bribie bridge surrounds, mainland flats south of the bridge and the White Patch region. 

Overall, it’s been a decent autumn-to-winter transition in the Pumicestone Passage. The whiting and flathead have been the most reliable, while the cooler-water species are starting to fire up. Looks like good signs ahead for the coming months. 

Tight lines if you’re getting out there — check the tides and weather and stay safe on the water.  Let me know how you’ve been going, email me (Design1@islandandsurrounds.com.au) your catches and stories, I’ll make you famous! 

Roger