Sunshine Coast Reefs

The sunshine coast Queensland has a solid reputation for the diversity of fishing available, there is always opportunities to catch a number of quality reef fish such as snapper, pearl perch, sweetlip, red emperor, tuskfish and Maori cod. Then with the change of season brings along pelajics such as long mackerel run, kingfish, Mahi Mahi, wahoo, cobia, amberjack. 

All our charters with Deep sea fishing co Sunshine Coast offer offshore fishing up to 30 mile offshore depending on trip duration, see below a few reef descriptions that has been put together through our crews local knowledge and experience.

Barwon Banks

Location: S26º32’616” E153º31’964”

Depth: 35-120m

Distance: 43km

The ‘Banks’ is a large reef system that covers around 23km running north south. Any number of reef species and larger pelagics can be caught here, kingfish, amberjack, cobia, cod, snapper, pearl perch, tuskfish, iodine bream, hussar, emperor, jobfish and trout, just a few to mention. With all the available species there also comes plenty of sharks so take care.

Anchoring in shallow areas around 40m with berley is advisable on the changing of the tide. Deeper areas around 85m can be drifted outside of the big full and new moon tidal changes. Paternosta rigs are successful for catching parrot and other bottom dwellers. Certain areas produce different species so it is a matter of exploring. 

The Hards

Location: S26º17’200” E153º38’015”

Depth: 50-80m

Distance: 62km (50km from Noosa Bar)

The Hards begins at the tip of the Barwon Banks and goes a further 20km north offering changing reef and bottom conditions along the way. This mark is close to the middle of the Hards so you can work around a fair bit. It’s typical rough country with plenty of kingfish, amberjack, tuna varieties, sailfish and wahoo during the warmer months. Top fishing for reef species throughout the winter period but be aware that it is a big trip and you can have days where not much happens. This is a terrific area to get some real quality marks for future fishing trips.

Sunshine Reef

Location: S26º25’100” E153º09’150”

Depth: 20-35m

Distance: 29km (10km from Noosa Bar)

Well known for its pelagic fishing in the summer, in particular kingfish, mackerel and tuna varieties and can serve up some outstanding snapper, pearl perch, parrot, cobia, spangled emperor, grass sweetlip, trout and many other species. Sunshine Reef is a very good system (scattered boulders as per the National Park Hedland) mixed with coral reef and patches of sand. Grassies are very common there, possibly the most common catch on some trips. Maori cod and red emperor are often caught there too, although the vast majority of the reds are under size.

Halls Reef

Location: S26º20’250” E153º05’110”

Depth: 15-20m

Distance: 38km (2km from Noosa Bar)

Halls and Little Halls reefs are worthwhile spots to start the adventure on the way to more distant reefs. These areas can fish outstandingly well after prolonged rain as they are the closest structures to the river mouth and a big fresh pushes prawns, herring, mullet and other bait out into Laguna Bay. Halls is also a great place to deploy a bait jig and collect a few livies.

Jew Shoal

Location: S26º21’640” E153º06’890”

Depth: 10m 

Distance: 35km (3.7km from Noosa Bar)

Jew Shoal is a very good area for fat longtails and passing schools of spotted mackerel in summer. Also worth trolling small rigged bonito or hardbodies for Spanish mackerel. Trollers regularly pick up quality snapper over JS in winter. Look for bait around this area and really only target it if you are heading out from Noosa bar. In the winter you can pick up snapper, cod and sweetlip and normally some mackerel hang around when they are on elsewhere.

Chardons Reef

Location: S26º23’920” E153º15’480”

Depth: 30-55m

Distance: 31km (9km from Noosa Bar)

Chardons is a very good option when Sunshine is quiet. Big Spaniards run up and down the coast out at Chardons late in the season and many marlin are hooked there too by trollers chasing the mackerel, and from time to time on floating baits while bottom bashing. (A mate of mine hooked a 2m blue at Chardons last Saturday on a floating squid bait on 6/0 gangs). Not many marlin are landed though.

North Reef

Location: S26º16’550” E153º11’350”

Depth: 40-55m

Distance: 45km (15km from Noosa Bar)

Top spot to fish for mahi mahi, kingfish, mackerel in particular spotty, and Spanish. Also has a great range of reef species like spangled emperor, snapper and quality pearl perch. Again this is a worthwhile trip when there is a blow on around Mooloolaba and Caloundra areas. There is a fairly protected run up along the coastline.

The Best Offshore Fishing Charters on the Sunshine Coast

Looking to land a monster reef fish? Love the thrill of reeling in a beauty? You’ve come to the right place! Here at Deep Sea Fishing Co. Sunshine Coast, our fishing trips guarantee a day to remember. We’ll take you to some our favourite local spots and provide all the gear – rods, reels, bait and tackle – all you’ve got to do is a hook a fish!

Our fishing charters are perfect for all ages and abilities, whether you’re an expert, novice or anywhere in between. We have a friendly team who provide tips and tricks to help you catch Snapper, Coral Trout, Pearl Perch and much more. Plus, we’ll clean your fish and store it on ice, ready for you to take home for dinner!

Want to find out more? Call the team at Deep Sea Fishing Co. Sunshine Coast on 0437 333 539. Our charters travel through the waters of Noosa, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Caloundra and beyond.