Fishing Sunshine Coast Offshore Reefs (Mooloolaba)
Charters say they target snapper, pearl perch, tuskfish, coral trout, cod, Moses perch, emperors, mahi mahi and Spanish and spotted mackerel. Deep End Fishing lists jewfish (mulloway) and teraglin too. These are the charters' own words, not a promise of a catch.
Marine park: Most of these reefs are outside any Queensland marine park. The Moreton Bay Marine Park starts at Caloundra Head and runs south-east from there, so water south of that line is marine park. The Great Sandy Marine Park starts well to the north, at latitude 25°56.917' S near Double Island Point. The water off Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Coolum sits between the two. If you fish the Caloundra end, check the Qld Marine Parks app first.
Know the rules (Queensland tidal waters, checked 20 Oct 2026): Snapper 35cm minimum, 4 per person with only 1 over 70cm, or 8 per boat with 2 or more people on board (only 2 over 70cm). Pearl perch 38cm minimum, 4. Snapper and pearl perch are closed 15 July to 15 August every year on the east coast. Tuskfish (all species) 30cm minimum, 6 combined. Amberjack and samsonfish 50cm minimum, 2 combined. Yellowtail kingfish 60cm minimum, 2. Teraglin 38cm minimum, 5. Cobia 75cm minimum, 2. Mulloway 75cm minimum, 2, and keep them whole on the boat. Coral trout 38cm minimum, 7 combined for all trout. Pelagic rules: Spanish mackerel 75cm minimum, 1 per person or 4 per boat with 4 or more people on board, closed 1 to 21 February and 1 to 21 March (east coast south of 22°S). Spotted mackerel 60cm minimum, 5. Mahi mahi 50cm minimum, 5. Wahoo 75cm minimum, 2. The October and November coral reef fin fish closures do not apply here. They only cover waters north of latitude 24°50' S.
Spanner crabs: Closed 1 November to 15 December each year in managed area A (south of 23° S and east of 151°45' E), which takes in this coast.
Charters that fish here: Top Catch Charters, Deep End Fishing, What A Catch, Salty's Fishing Charters.
Emergency: 000. On the water: VHF Channel 16.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- Boat only: These reefs are offshore and can only be reached by boat. For shore and river fishing at Mooloolaba, see our Mooloolah River, Harbour and Canals page.
Offshore
- Crossing the Mooloolah Bar: It is a designated coastal bar. The law says everyone on an open boat, or in an open area of any boat, must wear a lifejacket while crossing. Maritime Safety Queensland says to log on and off with your marine rescue group by radio, check tides and weather for both crossings, avoid high standing waves, and don't cross in heavy swell, strong wind or on a run-out tide. Emergency: 000. On the water: VHF Channel 16.
- Other bars on this coast: The Maroochy Bar and the Caloundra Bar are designated coastal bars too, with the same lifejacket law. Our Caloundra page explains why most boats should not use the Caloundra Bar.
- Reef fish limits: Snapper 35cm minimum, 4 per person with only 1 over 70cm, or 8 per boat with 2 or more people on board (only 2 over 70cm). Pearl perch 38cm minimum, 4. Snapper and pearl perch are closed 15 July to 15 August every year on the east coast. Tuskfish (all species) 30cm minimum, 6 combined. Amberjack and samsonfish 50cm minimum, 2 combined. Yellowtail kingfish 60cm minimum, 2. Teraglin 38cm minimum, 5. Cobia 75cm minimum, 2. Mulloway 75cm minimum, 2, and keep them whole on the boat. Coral trout 38cm minimum, 7 combined for all trout.
- Pelagic rules: Spanish mackerel 75cm minimum, 1 per person or 4 per boat with 4 or more people on board, closed 1 to 21 February and 1 to 21 March (east coast south of 22°S). Spotted mackerel 60cm minimum, 5. Mahi mahi 50cm minimum, 5. Wahoo 75cm minimum, 2.
- Marine rescue: MRQ Mooloolaba (formerly Coast Guard Mooloolaba) is at 65 Parkyn Parade on the Mooloolah River. Log on and off on VHF 73 or phone (07) 5444 3222.
Hot Spots
- Inshore reef system, Coolum to Caloundra: Deep End Fishing says its 5-hour trips fish this belt of reef, picking the spot by weather and where fish are biting.
- Deeper reefs and light game: Longer charter trips (7 to 12 hours) head to deeper reefs further out, weather permitting.
- Caloundra end: South of the line running south-east from Caloundra Head you are inside the Moreton Bay Marine Park. Check the zone before you fish.
- Mooloolah Bar: The way out for Mooloolaba boats. It is a designated coastal bar, so lifejackets are law while crossing.
Boat Ramps
- La Balsa Park Boat Ramp:
Located on Harbour Parade in Buddina, this highly utilized single-lane concrete ramp provides direct access to the Mooloolah River. It does not feature a pontoon, is highly tide-dependent (dropping off to shallow sand at dead low), and is directly exposed to easterly winds.
- Nojoor Road Boat Ramp, Twin Waters:
Located at Nojoor Road in Twin Waters, this concrete launching ramp features an adjacent floating walkway.
- Bradman Avenue Boat Ramp, Maroochydore:
Located at Bradman Avenue in Maroochydore, this concrete boat ramp offers reliable all-tide river entry. Features include a boarding pontoon, parkland amenities, barbecues, and public toilets.
Bait and Tackle
- MOOLOOLABA BEACH BAIT & TACKLE: 33 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba QLD 4557 | Phone: (07) 5444 1488
- TACKLE WORLD KAWANA: 8 Nicklin Way, Minyama QLD 4575 | Phone: (07) 5444 0714
Emergency & Safety
- MRQ Mooloolaba: 65 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba QLD 4557 | Log on/off: VHF 73 or (07) 5444 3222 | Emergency: VHF 16 or 000
