GOLD COAST ESTUARY FISHING REPORT by Clint
2 July 2026
The winter fishing just keeps getting better!
Dusky flathead have well and truly switched on and they’re now thick throughout the Broadwater. On yesterday’s charter we landed more than 40 flathead, which made for an action packed session and plenty of fun for the boys.
As always though good flathead fishing depends on bait fish being present. The bait and fish can be in an area one day and gone the next. Spotting birds diving and bait schools on the fish finder are the keys to success.
Right now is one of the best times of year to target flathead on lures. They have spread right throughout the system and are feeding aggressively on the huge schools of baitfish. Whether you’re fishing from a boat, kayak or the shoreline, your chances of finding fish are excellent.
S Tackle Fishtail Soft Plastics rigged on pink or white S Tackle jigheads and finished with a smear of Fish Goop scent have been absolutely deadly. There are plenty of 30 to 40cm fish around, but we’re now seeing increasing numbers of quality 50 to 60cm models as well. The standout areas have been Crab Island and South Stradbroke Island.
The water has cleaned up beautifully and temperatures have now dropped below 20 degrees. While the squid still haven’t arrived in the numbers we’d normally expect, it honestly feels like we’re only days away from that changing. Once they move in, the Broadwater can quickly become loaded with squid.
Tailor have been a little hit and miss, although South Stradbroke Island has produced some numbers and quality fish. At times they’ve also been smashing bait schools around Crab Island and the Gold Coast Seaway, so keep an eye out for birds and surface activity.
The channels continue to improve with increasing numbers of winter whiting, along with plenty of bream, tarwhine, flounder, tuskfish, small snapper and, of course, more flathead. Over the coming weeks, as the larger tides arrive, the big sand whiting should really fire up in the Nerang River. The entire Gold Coast Broadwater is only going to get better from here.
Prime winter fishing is here!
My charters are now fully booked until 5 August.
For bookings, available dates and more information, visit
www.goldcoastrivercharters.com
For questions or to organise a custom charter, SMS Clint on 0432 990 302.
To book a charter with Clint
SMS 0432 990 302 anytime.
Charter options this coming week:
Gold Coast:
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!
