Point Cartwright
Summary for 26 Oct 2026
Bite Compass is showing a medium fish activity bite score on 26 Oct 2026. Wind is around N at 20 km/h. Solunar feeding windows are listed below.
Point Cartwright fishing times this week Point Cartwright tide times
Feeding Windows
Local Knowledge
Point Cartwright is the headland on the eastern side of the Mooloolah River mouth, with the lighthouse on top and rock ledges dropping into open ocean below. It is one of the few places on the coast where you can cast a lure from the shore at summer pelagics, such as spotted mackerel and longtail tuna. In winter the same rocks fish for tailor, bream and snapper. Anglers share the point with whale watchers in season and the ledges can get busy. The whale watchers bring binoculars; the anglers bring a gaff and higher hopes.
Spin metal slugs or slice jigs as far as you can cast when the bait shows up, especially at first light. A floating pilchard on ganged hooks drifted out from the point attracts tailor and pelagics. Cast lightly weighted baits into the washes along the ledges for bream and tarwhine. Some anglers float out live baits under a balloon for longtails and mackerel in summer.
Spotted mackerel must be 60 cm (possession 5). Tailor are 35 cm (20), and bream and tarwhine 25 cm (combined 30). Snapper are 35 cm, 4 per person with no more than one over 70 cm, closed from 15 July to 15 August. Trevally have no size limit and a combined possession limit of 20, and dart are 30 cm (30).
A lifejacket is strongly recommended on exposed rock — an inflatable or foam vest rated AS 4758 level 50S or higher for adults. Watch for birds working and bait showing on the surface — that is when the pelagics are in casting range. In summer, get there before sunrise; the best ledges fill up early.
Access & Conditions
Park at the Point Cartwright Reserve off Pacific Boulevard, Buddina, which has toilets and paths to the lookouts. Tracks lead down to the rocks from the reserve. It is a steep, uneven scramble, so it is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.
The point faces east and catches every swell from the south-east to the north-east. A light westerly with a small swell is ideal, especially for spinning. A northerly breeze in summer often brings warm blue water and pelagics close in. In a big swell the lower ledges are unsafe.
This is exposed ocean rock: waves can wash over the ledges without warning, particularly on a rising tide. Watch the sea before you go down, fish with someone else, and plan a way out. If someone is washed in, don't jump in after them; throw something that floats and call 000. The tracks and the rock are slippery after rain. Shark control nets or drumlines operate off Point Cartwright — stay more than 20 m from them; it is an offence to be inside the 20 m zone.
Gear & Rigs
A 9–10 ft rod rated 6–10 kg with a 5000 reel and 20–30 lb braid for spinning, with 30–40 lb leader. Use 40–60 g metal slugs and slices. A lighter 3–6 kg outfit with ganged 3/0 hooks suits tailor and bream. A long-handled gaff or net is essential for landing fish from the ledges.
Seasons
Spotted mackerel and longtail tuna turn up from about December to April, depending on the warm water and the bait. Tailor and snapper are winter fish, apart from the 15 July–15 August snapper closure. Bream and tarwhine are around year-round and are best in the cooler months.
If This Spot's Blown Out
Frequently Asked
Yes, in summer. Spotted mackerel and longtail tuna move in close when the warm water and bait arrive, usually from about December to April. Spotted mackerel must be at least 60 cm, possession limit 5.
A lifejacket is strongly recommended on exposed rock: an inflatable or foam vest rated AS 4758 level 50S or higher for adults. Watch the swell and never fish the lower ledges alone.
No. There is no marine park at Point Cartwright, so normal Queensland fisheries rules apply.