GOLD COAST ESTUARY FISHING REPORT by Clint
19 June 2026
The Gold Coast Broadwater is continuing to improve, with water clarity slowly getting better after the recent dirty water period. It still needs to become a little clearer and cooler before we see the squid fishing really fire, but all the signs are there for an excellent season ahead.
Flathead fishing is already starting to heat up, with S Tackle soft plastics, Samaki Vibelicious vibes and Ecogear ZX40s all producing results. There have been plenty of smaller flathead around, but mixed amongst them are some better quality fish in the 45 to 55cm range. As the water cools further over the coming weeks, expect the flathead fishing to improve significantly.
One encouraging sign has been the increasing numbers of small baitfish moving into the system. This is exactly what we want to see at this time of year and should help kickstart some excellent fishing right across the Broadwater and Nerang River. The Nerang River is shaping up nicely and should produce some outstanding sand whiting and flathead fishing in the coming weeks. When the water is dirtyish and the sky is cloudy lure colours like S Tackle plastics in Aussie Gold colour is attracting a lot of attention from lizards in shallow water 0.5 to one metre deep. As always find the bait fish on the fish finder and you’ll find the flathead.
The Southern Broadwater is also producing some quality blue swimmer crabs, with plenty of good eating sized crabs being caught by those putting in the effort.
Winter whiting and flounder are starting to show up in better numbers, with Ecogear ZX40 vibes proving very effective when worked along the deeper channels and flats where the water temperature is sitting around 19 to 21 degrees.
Looking ahead, the lead up to the next full moon should provide some excellent fishing opportunities. With baitfish numbers increasing and water temperatures continuing to drop, we are expecting some very productive sessions. Hopefully we also see the start of a strong tailor season as schools begin moving through the Seaway and Broadwater.
Charter bookings have been extremely strong. I am now fully booked through until 22 July, with only a handful of dates still available between then and August. If you’ve been thinking about getting out on the water, don’t leave it too long.
Tight lines!
Clint
Gold Coast River Charters
To book a charter with Clint
SMS 0432 990 302 anytime.
Charter options this coming week:
Gold Coast: Fully booked every day
For wading charters SMS Clint 0432 990 302 anytime,
Or book instantly here:
bookeo.com/fishing
Or SMS 0432 990 302 to book your charter adventure!
Useful links:
Subscribe to youtube channel:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UClkPb52-hCxcfI3isXgVLIw
Gold Coast seaway tides:
http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/tides/#!/qld-gold-coast-seaway
Gold Coast weather:
Seabreeze:
https://www.seabreeze.com.au/weather/wind-forecast/qld-gold-coast
Surfers Paradise:
http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/surfers-paradise.shtml
Gold Coast marine waters:
http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/gold-coast-waters.shtml
Rain radar:
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml
Finally a huge shout out and thanks to our sponsors, preferred brands and suppliers:
Watersnake
Ark Corp
Step Outside with Paul Burt
Samaki
Sporty’s fishing
S Tackle
Holt Productions
Yamaha motor Australia
Gomexus
Tackle Tactics
Rapala
Crush City
Zman Australia
JML
Ecogear
MMD Fishing
My Lure Box
Sax scent
Cheers
Clinto
SMS 0432 990 302 to book your charter adventure!
