Fraser Island has a superb seasonal tailor fishery.
The fishery comes alive each year as schools of fish move along ocean beaches on their annual spawning run.
The fish start arriving in early July, and usually peak by August, with good fishing had into November.
The best areas tend to be Cathedral Beach to Indian Head and from Orchid Beach to Sandy Cape, including Ngkala Rocks, but it changes each year.
The movement of fish is usually from south to north, so southern beaches fish earlier in the season.
There are several coastal camping areas that become hugely popular in season.
A 4WD vehicle is needed on the island as soft-sand driving is required.
The vehicular ferry leaves from River Heads near Maryborough.
The usual tackle setup for fishing Fraser surf beaches is a 4m rod with an Alvey sidecast reel, using a pilchard bait on ganged hooks.
Spinning and overhead reels work fine if you keep them out of the sand.
Line used is usually 6kg to 8kg braid or nylon mono.
You’ll be standing outside on a beach for long periods so sun protection is essential.
Fraser tailor fishing is strictly regulated by size and bag limits, as well as closures.
There is fishing closure from 400m south of Indian Head to 400m north of Waddy Point in August and September.
Middle Rocks, between Indian Head and Waddy Point, is a green zone and closed to all fishing.
Find tailor by using the WD rule: “Whitewater, Deepwater.”
Look for a spot where white water spills over deep water.
The ideal spot is a long gutter where white water forms on the outer bank, falling into the deep gutter.
But the fish also show up elsewhere, such as along sandspits, or on outer banks.
Hovering birds may give away the presence of schooling fish.
Chrome lures work well on tailor.
Bream and dart are also caught during the tailor run, and occasional mulloway and shark.
Bream, mulloway, whiting, dart and trevally can be caught outside the tailor season.
Keep an eye on Fraser Island’s dingoes, they have been no known to attack people.
Waddy Point tides, Fraser Island
Orchid Beach on Beachsafe
Fraser Island National Park
Qld fishing regulations
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thank you for the grouse info