Gladstone Harbour
Q.C.L Wharf, Auckland Point Wharf, Barney Point Wharf, Q.A.L Wharf and Boyne Smelter Wharf are all accessible by boat. The main quarry under these spots would have to be big cod and jewfish. Both types love a very snaggy pile laden area, from which they can hide and ambush any unsuspecting victims. Best baits, obviously live baits on large hooks and very strong line. Other species liable to be encountered are the usual bream, flathead and occasionally mackerel and tuns which frequent the wharves in the winter months.
Gladstone Power Station
If on foot then surely the most popular venue producing quality fish would have to be the hot water outlet situated at the rear of the Gladstone Power Station.
The most sought after fish at this venue must be the elusive barramundi. Most barra fall victim to lures, the most popular being the larger of the nilsmaster invincible types. Queenies and Trevally often succumb to a surface fished popper, and tarpon are regularly caught on lead head jigs. If you don't like lure fish, fresh baits like prawn, mullet, tailor or squid will almost always get you a feed of bream or whiting.
Barney Beach
Great fishing but watch for stingers during November to March on northerly breezes.
Calliope Hot Spots
The Calliope River is home to many species of fish, including bream, whiting, barramundi, mangrove jack, flathead, trevally, salmon and queenfish. Beecher Bar, situated about fifteen minutes to the left of the boat ramp, above the railway bridge, produces good catches of salmon and grunter when they are running. Best bait is tailor, pilchards and fresh prawns. Just above the bar heading upstream are a few good mangrove jack spots. Just cast small bibbed type lures in and around the ranches of the over hanging trees and if you're lucky you just might land yourself a jack.
The Narrows
Excellent for crabbing and provides safe boating for small craft.
Lake Awoonga
Looking to catch some barramundi? Lake Awoonga is loaded with barra. Located 30 kilometres from Tannum Sands, the Lake boasts excellent recreation facilities open to the public. Approximately 300, 000 fish are released each year into the Lake, the largest caught to date weighing 30.3kg.
Lake Awoonga hosts almost 200 species of birds and is arguably one of the most important near coast bird refuges on the East Coast of Australia.
The Boyne River
Often produces a good catch and the Lillies is a well known spot to fish. The mangroves provide a home to many fish and test the skill of most anglers.
Inner Boyne
Safe fishing for mangrove jack, grunter, barramundi and flathead at South Trees Inlet when the weather is rough. Also for those on foot near the Boyne River bridge there is a ready supply of bream and grunter.
Wild Cattle Creek
Located at the southern end of Tannum Sands Main Beach this area sports a wide selection of fish including barramundi, salmon, whiting and crabs. Wild Cattle Island also has plenty of flathead, mackerel and whiting although access to and from the Island by foot is limited to low tides so plan your trip accordingly.
Gatcombe Head
Situated at the south end of Facing Island, accessible by boat only. Several reef areas scattered around Gatcombe, all produce catches of sweetlip, coral trout, honeycomb cod, tuna and mackerel. Good results can be obtained by bottom fishing with squid or pilly, for lippers, trout and cod or livebaiting and lures for mackerel and tuna.
Farmers Point & South End
Farmers Point is at the northern end of Facing Island and South End is the southern end of Curtis Island, just a stones throw across the bay. Beach fishing is very good on Farmers with whiting, bream, dart and flathead being the main quarry. These can be caught on a variety of baits — yabbies, beach worms, prawns and mullet proving the most productive. The rocks at South End provide a home for a lot of reef type species.
Turkey Beach
Situated within the sheltered waters of Rodds Harbour this is an ideal area for boating, fishing, crabbing and is also a sanctuary for dugong.
