🎣 GOLD COAST ESTUARY FISHING REPORT by Clint
15 August 2026
We’re right in the heart of some of the best winter lure fishing of the year, with flathead, squid, flounder and winter whiting all featuring throughout the Broadwater.
🦑 ARROW SQUID
The arrow squid aren’t thick, but they are definitely around the Southport main channel and Crab Island channels.
The next two weeks are one of the best times to target them before the water starts warming above 20°C.
If the squid aren’t responding to aggressive jigging, change it up. Deadsticking a squid jig or using very slow lifts with long pauses can turn a quiet session around.
Another exciting way to catch them is on vibe lures jigged along the bottom. They absolutely hammer vibes and put up a great fight on light tackle.
🐟 FLATHEAD SEASON IS FIRING UP
Flathead have been plentiful at times, particularly from the middle of the run out tide through to low.
My ever reliable combination has been:
🎣 S Tackle 4 inch Fish Tail in White Bait colour
🎣 S Tackle pink Mushroom jigheads
🎣 A generous smear of Fish Goop scent
It’s a deadly combination for Gold Coast flathead.
Sometimes it takes perseverance to locate the fish and work out their bite period, but once they switch on, they bite their heads off!
Flathead fishing traditionally peaks between now and October on the Gold Coast. They’re an awesome fish to target on lures and superb on the table.
If keeping one for a feed, bleed it and get it straight onto ice. It makes a huge difference to the quality of the meat.
Queensland dusky flathead regulations are a minimum size of 40 cm, maximum size of 75 cm, with a possession limit of 5 per person.
We usually release most fish over 60 cm as they are very likely to be prime breeding females.
🎣 SAND WHITING
There have been some nice whiting in the Nerang River, although they’ve been patchy and fussy eaters lately.
The good news is our main whiting season is just around the corner.
September through to March is when we really start catching good numbers of quality sand whiting throughout the Broadwater, both wading the shallows and fishing the deeper channels from the boat.
🐟 FLOUNDER
Flounder have been fairly numerous and are suckers for a well presented yabby or blade vibe.
Runaway Bay and Currigee Channel have been producing some nice fish.
🐟 TAILOR
Tailor remain sporadic throughout the Broadwater. South Straddie has been the better option lately, particularly fishing the beach gutters.
🎣 WINTER WHITING
Winter whiting are a great eating little fish and a heap of fun on light tackle.
They’re aggressive feeders and happily take both small lures and yabbies. They regularly turn up as welcome bycatch while we’re targeting flathead, squid and other species in Broadwater channels around three to six metres deep.
With a possession limit of 50 per person, they can also provide a great feed when you find a good school.
🎣 NEED TO STOCK UP ON TACKLE?
Drop into Sportys Fishing at Bundall for all the best tackle and friendly, expert local advice!
📅 CHARTER AVAILABILITY
I still have some dates available in late August.
From September onwards things traditionally start getting busy every year as the weather warms and the spring fishing kicks into gear, so now is a good time to lock in a trip.
Whether you want to chase flathead and squid on lures, target whiting on bait, or simply enjoy a morning exploring the Gold Coast Broadwater, all charters are private and tailored to suit you.
🎣 Charter info and bookings:
www.goldcoastrivercharters.com
📱 Enquiries: SMS Clint 0432 990 302
We have a few days ahead of ordinary weather then it’s looking better.
See you on the water!
Clint
Gold Coast River Charters 🎣
