Agnes Water Main Beach

Agnes Water's Main Beach is a long curve of surf-washed sand ending at a rocky headland, and it is the Discovery Coast's classic beach-fishing spot. The gutters and holes along Main Beach hold swallowtail dart, whiting, bream, tarwhine and flathead, with mulloway (jewfish) and the odd shark for the after-dark crowd. The headlands either side, including the well-known rock platforms around Agnes Point, add bream, dart and pelagic fish for anglers with the right gear and conditions. Further afield, secluded beaches reached by 4WD extend the options. The surfers and the anglers share the beach amicably, mostly because they want different waves.

Walk the beach at low tide to find the gutters and holes, then fish them on the run-in. Beach worms, pipis and peeled prawns on a size 4–1 hook with a small sinker catch whiting, dart and bream in the gutters. For mulloway, fish a big strip or whole fish bait in the deepest gutter after dark on the bigger tides. Flathead sit on the sandy bottom of the gutters — work a soft plastic slowly across them.

Dart, whiting, bream and tarwhine are the everyday catch, with flathead and mulloway the bonus fish. Swallowtail dart are 30 cm minimum, possession limit 30. Sand whiting are 23 cm in a combined limit of 30. Yellowfin bream and tarwhine are 25 cm, combined 30. Dusky flathead are a 40–75 cm slot, limit 5. Mulloway are 75 cm minimum with a possession limit of 2.

Fish well away from swimmers and surfers. Beach worms are caught at the waterline with a fish-frame lure and quick fingers; the possession limit is 30. Dawn and dusk on a rising tide are the best windows for dart and whiting. Bait and ice are available in Agnes Water and at the 1770 marina store. Take every scrap and hook home.

Agnes Water is about 125 km south of Gladstone on sealed roads. Park in the foreshore car parks off Captain Cook Drive and Springs Road and walk onto the beach; there are public toilets near the main beach access, and the town's shops and cafés are close by. The sand is soft, so it is hard going for wheelchairs and prams. The beach suits kids in calm conditions, well away from the surf.

The beach faces north-east and picks up swell from the east and south-east. A small, clean swell with a light offshore wind makes the gutters easy to read and fish; a big swell or a strong onshore wind closes them out. The rock platforms should only be fished in calm seas. Clear water favours whiting and dart, and a bit of colour and swell after a blow often brings the mulloway on.

The rock platforms around the headlands are exposed to swell and waves can wash over them without warning — fish them only in calm conditions, never alone, and a lifejacket is strongly recommended (Level 50S or higher, AS 4758, for adults). Agnes Water marks the southern edge of box jellyfish waters, and Irukandji occur here too; marine stingers are most likely November to May, so carry vinegar. Crocodiles are rare this far south, but report any sighting on 1300 130 372. Rips form along the beach in any swell — fish the gutters from the sand, don't wade into them.

Swallowtail dart, whiting, bream, tarwhine and flathead in the surf gutters, and mulloway after dark. Mulloway are 75 cm minimum with a possession limit of 2.

The rock platforms around Agnes Point are the best-known land-based rock spot near town, producing bream, dart and pelagic fish in calm seas. A lifejacket is strongly recommended on exposed rock.

Agnes Water is at the southern edge of box jellyfish waters, and Irukandji also occur here. The risk is highest from November to May; carry vinegar for first aid.