Bundaberg (Offshore)

1. Barjon S 24 40.468

E 152 34.513
Great sportsfishing opportunities for pelagic species such as mackerel, tuna and trevally but anything is possible and even sailfish have been seen here over summer. If birds are active, try casting at the schools with chrome slugs. If things are quiet, position yourself over the wreck and drop jigs or spoons down to the bottom and work them back at high speed. Trolling with deep diving minnows (Xraps) can often fire up the predators, particularly if there are flying fish present.
2. Ryans S 24 44.199

E 152 27.278
A close in mark best fished early in the morning or late afternoon. Often holds bait which attracts school mackerel. Queenfish are also occasionally found here in big schools which show up clearly on the sounder. When present, they will respond to surface poppers and chrome lures. Mackerel specialists troll with a downrigged dead bait in short, fast runs over the structure and are often rewarded with good sized Spaniards
3. Wide of Ryans S 24 43.194

E 152 28.183
During the wet season the dirty water stays inshore and there is often a clear demarcation line near this point between the clean and dirty water. Either side of the line is a great place to look for schools of mac tuna and/or spotted mackerel. Casting small chrome slugs is the best approach.

 

4. Shipping Channel S 24 45.200

E 152 28.119
During the warmer weather, the shipping channel is a great place to troll for school mackerel and the odd Spaniard. Late summer and into autumn can see a run of grey mackerel with fish up to eight kilos to be had. The best approach is to troll small to medium sized minnows like Reidy’s Judges at around 8 knots. Target the edges of the channels

The end channel markers (and in particular the northern one) often hold schools of baitfish, which attract school mackerel and queenfish. A great way to target these fish is to drift past the marker and drop chome spoons down alongside the pylon before retrieving at high speed.
5. Kolan Patch S 24 32.307, E 152 19.118

S 24 32.181, E 152 19.997
A great area for targeting Spanish mackerel. The bottom here consists of a large patch of rubbly ground which usually holds scattered schools of baitfish. Professional mackerel fisherman do well here trolling dead baits. Lures work well too with the ever reliable Xrap 30 a great option. Bait fishing here after dark can sometimes turn on large cod.
6. Five Degree S 24 29.067, E 152 30.486
The Five Degree is the closest bit of coral reef for Bundaberg anglers and attracts a lot of attention. The bottom here can produce the usual range of reef species, particularly the smaller patches of high ground. A paternoster rig will help keep snags to a bearable amount. The nearby area also turns on great Spanish mackerel action at times and large schools of tuna also frequent the area.

 

7. Two Mile S 24 47.991, E 152 28.632
The two mile off Bargara sits just outside the green zone and is a popular destination with small boat anglers. School mackerel are the main target species, although queenfish are occasionally present. Chrome jigs work well here, but blades hopped right on the bottom have also been successful when the fish are a bit shy.

 

8. Cochrane Artificial Reef S 24 54.177, E 152 31.986

S 24 54.130, E 152 32.139
A man made collection of structures just offshore for the mouth of the Elliott River. School and the odd Spanish mackerel are taken here by trolling minnows or casting chrome spoons. During the cooler months some good snapper are taken by anglers drifting baits or working soft plastics, particularly in the late evening or early morning. Sharks are often present and can be targeted with live baits fished deep around the structure.

 

9. Kama S 24 23.830, E 152 10.980
A trawler wreck off the mouth of Baffle Creek. Renown for holding huge schools of trevally and the odd cobia. Best fished by trolling big minnow lures, or by dropping down chrome lures and retrieving at high speed. The only downside is its popular with divers and it can receive a lot of pressure from professional fisherman when the schools of trevally are present. Some schools of grunter also congregate on the flat areas nearby.

 

10. Althea S 24 33.570, E 152 49.447
One of the wider marks off Burnett Heads. This wreck often holds huge schools of trevally. Massive cod and cobia can be present as well and some huge fish have been hooked here. Yellowfin and striped tuna can also be encountered in the waters around the wreck.