Kings Beach Rocks

The rock platform at the eastern end of Kings Beach is Caloundra's closest taste of ocean rock fishing, a short walk from the car park and the saltwater pool. Washes and gutters along the ledge hold bream and tarwhine, and the open water in front sees tailor runs in winter. The beach beside it adds dart and whiting when the rocks are too lively. It is an easy place to learn rock fishing, provided you treat the swell with respect.

Fish unweighted or lightly weighted pilchards and strip baits into the white water for bream and tailor, letting the wash carry them around the rocks. Metal slugs and lures cast out at dawn or dusk find tailor and the odd pelagic. For luderick, fish cabbage weed under a float along the ledge. On the beach side, a running sinker and worms or pipis finds dart and whiting in the gutters.

Tailor must be 35 cm (possession 20) and bream and tarwhine 25 cm (combined 30). Swallowtail dart are 30 cm with a possession limit of 30, and luderick 30 cm (10). Snapper turn up off the rocks in the cooler months: 35 cm minimum, 4 per person with only one over 70 cm, and closed from 15 July to 15 August.

A lifejacket is strongly recommended on exposed rock — an inflatable or foam vest rated AS 4758 level 50S or higher for adults. Watch the sets for at least ten minutes before you walk out, and fish from the higher, dry rock. The water off Kings Beach is the northern tip of Moreton Bay Marine Park, in a habitat protection zone where normal line fishing is allowed, but every bivalve and gastropod except pipis is no take. Respect the flagged swimming area on the beach and keep casts well clear of swimmers and the pool.

Park at Kings Beach, which has a large car park, toilets, showers, a café and the saltwater pool. The rocks are reached on foot from the eastern end of the beach and from the coastal path above. The platform is uneven and there is no rail, so it is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.

Kings Beach faces south-east, so a large south-easterly swell washes over the platform and makes it unsafe. It fishes best on a small swell with a light westerly or north-westerly blowing offshore. A little white water helps the bream and tailor bite, but too much makes it dangerous. Early morning and late afternoon on a falling swell are the times to go.

Waves can sweep over this platform without warning, especially on a rising tide or a building swell — never turn your back on the sea. The rock is slippery where it is wet or covered in weed. If someone is washed in, don't jump in after them; throw something that floats and call 000. Keep away from the swimming area and the pool when casting. Shark control nets or drumlines operate off the Caloundra beaches — stay more than 20 m from them; it is an offence to be inside the 20 m zone.

Yes. The rock platform at the eastern end of Kings Beach is fished regularly. Stay well clear of the flagged swimming area and the saltwater pool, and only go out on a small swell.

Yes. The water off Kings Beach is the northern end of Moreton Bay Marine Park, in a habitat protection zone. Line fishing is allowed under normal fisheries rules, but bivalves and gastropods other than pipis are no take.

A lifejacket is strongly recommended on exposed rock: an inflatable or foam vest rated AS 4758 level 50S or higher for adults. Check the swell, watch the sets before you go out, and never fish alone.

Snapper are caught mostly in the cooler months, but Queensland's east coast snapper season is closed from 15 July to 15 August. Outside the closure the limit is 35 cm minimum, 4 per person, and no more than one over 70 cm.