Fishing is another well known feature of Hervey Bay Queensland, with it’s sheltered waterways enriched with many inlets, creeks and rivers providing plenty of good fishing spots.
Boats can be launched into the water from a variety of public boat ramps found around the bay, all with sufficient parking. One of the most popular land based fishing spots is the Urangan Pier. Because of its length, there is ample room for everyone to fish and with plenty of light at night makes for a good fishing platform, 24 hours a day.
Hervey Bay is known as an anglers paradise with the benefits of sheltered waterways, estuary fishing options of the Mary River, Burrum & Isis Rivers, and handy proximity to Lake Lenthalls, Lake Monduran and the Borumba dam for freshwater fishing activity.
The area offers a range of options to boating and fishing enthusiasts to enjoy – estuary fishing, freshwater fishing, beach fishing, jetty fishing, offshore – deep sea fishing, reef and game fishing (including Marlin). Guided Fishing and sailing tours are conducted on a regular basis.
The waters on the western side of Fraser Island are home to many great Sportfish species like Golden Trevally, Giant Trevally along with many others of the trevally family. Another prize to get the adrenalin really pumping is the Northern Bluefin aka Longtail – this species is right up there with the greatest fly fishing targets on the planet – ever attached your fly or lure to a passing missile? There are also plenty Mackerel Tuna, Spanish, Broad Bar, Spotted and School Mackerel. The fantastic aerobatic Queenfish is another trophy species widely available in the Bay.
Without doubt the most popular species that fly anglers travel here to target is the magnificent Golden Trevally up to 15 kilo’s or 30lb. These fish are a sight casting proposition when they’re cruising the shallows or tailing on clear flats. A guide will get you multiple shots at these fish from the Bay side of Fraser Island, but areas near to town have wad able flats that can also produce these fish for the stealthy angler.
If you like the excitement and challenge of sight fishing then Hervey Bay is a “must do” destination. The Goldens are best fished between mid to late October through to the end of March when the water temps are right for their flats feeding habits. However, they can be caught all year round using the fast sink lines on both fly and soft plastics on spinning gear if flycasting is not your thing.