Stradbroke Island is one of Queensland's best-kept secrets. Not only is it blessed with spectacular natural scenery, and an array of activity options, it also boasts a welcoming and low-key atmosphere that makes it ideal for a relaxed getaway. Fishing on Stradbroke is an experience to remember. If you're a keen angler you'll be spoilt for choice on North Stradbroke, with plenty of beaches and bays just waiting for your visit.
Where to Fish
The western edge of Straddie faces the calm waters of Moreton Bay. Here'll you'll find serene bays fringed by mangroves. The retaining rock wall at Amity is a popular spot for people to throw in a line, and several of our holiday homes offer private or exclusive frontage. Where else in South East Queensland can you fish or snorkel from your own front yard!
To the east, the island is rimmed by a series of spectacular beaches. On this side, many fisherman head to the rocky headlands near Point Lookout.
What You'll Catch
Where to start? There are plenty of fish in the sea in this neck of the woods. Think tailor, whiting, bream and flathead if you cast a line in from the beach. Or if you are fishing offshore, you might be bringing home mackerel, marlin and wahoo. Keen to try the calm waters of Moreton Bay? This area is home to snapper, jewfish, parrotfish and sweetlip.
Planning for seasonal fishing? During the summer months, you'll be more likely to catch snapper, bream, whiting and dart. Visit in winter for larger numbers of mullet, winter bream, tailor, tuna and snapper.
Fishing Trips
South Passage Bar provides access to some of the best offshore fishing in South East Queensland, and there are great fishing reefs located just off Point Lookout. Mal Starkey's Point Lookout Fishing Charters offer's both novice and experienced anglers the oppportunity to cast a line in these stunning waters, and hopefully bring home a spectacular catch of the day. Call Mal on 0409 618 353 to organise a fishing trip to remember.
Cooking the Catch
Straddie Sales Rentals has a wide array of rental properties so you can choose a cottage, holiday house or apartment with a kitchen and a BBQ. Fire up the latter with your chosen fish, and you'll have the perfect end to another great day's fishing.
All quiet in the water? Then don't despair. If you have an off day on the ocean then Rufus Seafood at Amity Point and The Prawn Shack at Point Lookout offer a variety of fish and shellfish fresh from the ocean.
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Rufus King Seafood is located just minutes from the Amity Point jetty where the local trawlers moor, giving them access to the freshest seafood the area has to offer. This has led to their credible reputation for quality seafood. The local catch includes king prawns (cooked and green headless), balmain bugs, sand crabs, mud crabs, shell oysters, bottled oysters, sea mullet, summer whiting, tailor, school and Spanish mackerel, bream, snapper and flathead. All of which is subject to availability and season. |
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The Prawn Shack owners Jess and Adrian offer fresh, local seafood including award-winning seafood including our famous Straddie Prawns, Bugs, Crabs & Oysters; Live, Organic Mussels plus superb, fresh fish such as local Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, Yellow Fin Tuna & Cone Bay Ocean Barramundi. Drop in and say hello and get inspired to create an awesome seafood meal with these fresh ingredients. |
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| The Eat, Drink & Be Straddie Cookbook offers scrumptious recipes using local ingredients, particularly local seafood. This gorgeous book was created by local couple Angie and Stuart Simms, who also happen to be the professional photographers behind Stradbroke Island Photography. 'Eat, Drink & Be Straddie' is available from a number of outlets around the Island, including our office at Amity Point. It can also be purchased online by clicking on the above link. |
Future of Fishing
To ensure fish populations are protected so future generations can enjoy the ocean and all she has to offer, recreational fishing rules and regulations are enforced throughout the Moreton Bay area. There are limits on the size (length) of a species you can take and the amount of a certain species you can have in your possession. Size limits generally allow a fish to spawn at least once in order to add to the species numbers. Some fish have a maximum and a minimum size limit because it is the larger individuals who may contribute more to their population.
Possession limits are in place to conserve heavily sought after species, species that are easily captured, share more catch, reduce illegal fish marketing and promote responsible fishing. Possession limits do not apply on a per day basis. Any fish you have caught previously and may be keeping at home in your freezer, for example, are included in your possession limit for a fish species. Visit the Queensland Government website for catch sizes and limits.
Other Activities
As much as you love fishing, you might like a change of scene now and again. You can bushwalk, or join a 4WD tour of the protected lakes and wetlands area in the island's interior. You might opt for a day's swimming, surfing or cricket at the beach. Or how about a relaxing beer at one of the ocean view bars at Point Lookout, the Little Ship Club at Dunwich or Seashells Café and Bar at Amity?
Straddie offers something for everyone, and best of all, at a great price. For an affordable holiday, where you can do as much or as little as you like, there's nowhere quite like North Stradbroke Island.