25/09/2026
BRISBANE WATER FISHING REPORT —SPRING EDITION
Spring heat, bait everywhere, predators switched on — Brisbane Water is absolutely electric right now.
Warmer water, bait pushing into the shallows, and more predators hunting means this weekend is shaping up beautifully. And if you’ve been waiting for that
SPRING KINGFISH BITE… it’s officially time to start looking. KINGFISH — THEY’RE BACK AND THEY’RE ANGRY
mid size to 1m+ Kings are harassing bait schools around the Rip Bridge and the Woy Woy Channel edges. They’re not thick, but when they show up, they light rods up instantly.
Hot tactics:
• Live squid = instant credibility
• Slow trolled yakkas along the pylons
• Stickbaits ripped tight to structure
Best window: Clean water pushing in on the run in tide.
Empire Tip: If you see bait stacked on the sounder… DON’T DRIVE PAST IT. Have your heavier gear ready — that screen can light up at any moment and the reel will start screaming.
FLATHEAD — BIG GIRLS ON THE MOVE
The drop offs around Pelican Island, Saratoga, and Woy Woy Channel are holding serious fish. Paddle tails and vibes are getting smoked on the last of the run out.
Work channel edges, drop offs, flats and creek mouths — especially where bait is holding.
BREAM — SURFACE CARNAGE EARLY
Dawn sessions around Davistown, Yattalunga, and the Broadwater pontoons are explosive. Walk the dog lures are getting inhaled before breakfast.
Bream are also active around deeper edges, structure and creek mouths.
WHITING — GET THE BLOODWORMS
Whiting are becoming a serious spring target.
If you’re chasing them on bait: LIVE BLOODWORMS ARE THE GO.
Fish the shallow sand and w**d edges on the incoming tide, especially early morning and late afternoon.
SQUID — DON’T WALK PAST THE W**D
Squid are worth hunting around w**d beds, rocks and structure. Try 2.5–3.0 jigs around dawn and dusk and work those edges carefully.
JEWFISH — SCHOOLIES IN THE USUAL HAUNTS
Railway Bridge, Rip Bridge and the deeper bends are holding consistent school jewies. Live mullet and 5–7 inch plastics doing the heavy lifting.
TAILOR & TREVALLY — BONUS ACTION
Tailor smashing metals at first light. Trevally stacked in deeper holes near Gosford.
THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING UNEXPECTED
That’s the beauty of Brisbane Water this time of year. One cast can be a flathead… The next can be a bream… Then suddenly the KINGY YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR smashes the lure.
HOT SPOTS THIS WEEK
• Rip Bridge (kings, flatties, jewies)
• Pelican Island drop offs
• Woy Woy Channel edges
• Kincumber Broadwater flats
• Davistown pontoons
THIS WEEKEND’S GAME PLAN
• Get out early
• Find the bait
• Fish the moving water
• Work the tide changes
• Check the flats for whiting & flathead
• Check deeper structure for predators
• Keep the heavy gear ready
Don’t be the bloke who finds the kingies but didn’t bring the right gear.
HEADING OUT? COME SEE US FIRST!
Empire Fishing & Boating — Woy Woy Fresh & live bait, rods, reels, tackle, boating gear — and real local advice.
53 Ocean Beach Road, Woy Woy (02) 4309 6609 Open 7 DAYS — 8AM–4PM
The fish are moving. The bait is moving. Now it’s your turn.
