Snapper Rocks
Summary for 1 Nov 2026
Bite Compass is showing a high fish activity bite score on 1 Nov 2026. Wind is around NE at 17 km/h. Solunar feeding windows are listed below.
Snapper Rocks fishing times this week Snapper Rocks tide times
Feeding Windows
Local Knowledge
Snapper Rocks is the black basalt reef at the foot of Point Danger, where the Queensland coast runs out of road and the swell wraps around into Rainbow Bay. It is the first piece of Queensland rock a north-bound winter tailor school meets on its run to K'gari, and the last one the summer pelagics pass before the Tweed. The surfers know it as the start of the Superbank, so mornings come with a crowd in the water and a crowd on the rocks watching them. Fish the tides and the swell right and the rocks still hand out tailor, bream, dart and the odd mulloway between the board riders' commutes.
Work the northern face, which looks into Rainbow Bay and is the more sheltered side when there is any south in the swell. In winter, cast ganged pilchards or a 40–60 g metal slug into the white water at dawn and dusk for tailor, and let a lightly weighted bait wash around the gutters for bream. Luderick feed on the weed-covered rock edges on a rising tide, best fished with a float and green weed or cabbage. In summer, when bait balls push into the bay, a spun slug or a live bait under a balloon can find spotted mackerel and trevally. Keep casts away from surfers at all times.
Tailor are the headline from late autumn through winter, mostly choppers with a few bigger greenbacks on the bigger swells. Bream and luderick live in the wash year-round, and swallowtail dart work the sandy edges into Rainbow Bay. Mulloway turn up after dark when there is a bit of colour in the water. Summer brings spotted mackerel and trevally when the warm current and the bait push close. Tailor are 35 cm with a possession limit of 20; bream 25 cm (30, combined with tarwhine); dart 30 cm (30); luderick 30 cm (10); mulloway 75 cm (2); spotted mackerel 60 cm (5).
The border runs along Point Danger, so Snapper Rocks and Rainbow Bay are Queensland waters under Queensland rules, while Duranbah and the Tweed walls just around the corner are New South Wales. Queensland uses possession limits, which count the fish already in your freezer at home. Shark control nets and drumlines operate off Rainbow Bay and Greenmount — stay more than 20 m from them; it is an offence to be inside that zone. The rocks are busiest with surfers on a good swell; fish a small swell or an off-peak tide and everyone stays friends.
Access & Conditions
Park along Marine Parade at Rainbow Bay or up at the Point Danger lookout carpark, then walk down past the surf club to the rocks. The approach is short but the final scramble is over uneven, weed-covered basalt. Rainbow Bay has toilets, showers, cafes and a surf club. Parking is tight on swell days and summer weekends, when the whole of Coolangatta seems to want the same patch of grass.
A small south-east or easterly swell with light westerly or south-westerly wind is ideal, giving workable white water without waves washing over the rocks. Big south swells make the outer rocks dangerous and draw a crowd of surfers into the bay. The water is clearest on a high tide with northerly currents. Dawn and dusk fish best for tailor, and a change of light around the top of the tide is when bream and luderick switch on.
Waves can wash over the outer rocks without warning, especially on a big south swell or a high tide — never turn your back on the sea and stay off any rock that is wet from wash. A lifejacket is strongly recommended for anyone fishing the rocks (AS 4758 level 50S or higher for adults). The basalt is slippery when wet and covered in weed and oysters, so wear cleated or felt-soled shoes. Keep clear of surfers and swimmers, and watch for bluebottles washing in on north-easterlies.
Gear & Rigs
For tailor and pelagics, a 9–11 ft surf or spin rod, a 4000–6000 reel, 15–20 lb braid and a 20–40 lb leader, with ganged 3/0–4/0 hooks or 30–60 g metal slugs. For bream and luderick, a 3–4 kg rod with a 2500 reel, a small running sinker or a float rig and size 1–4 hooks. Bring spare rigs and tie them before you head down, because the rock eats terminal tackle. Queensland allows up to 3 lines and 6 hooks in total per person, and you must stay with all of them.
Seasons
Tailor run from about May to September, peaking with the winter westerlies. Bream and luderick are year-round but at their best through the cooler months. Dart are present most of the year and thicken up in autumn and winter. Spotted mackerel and trevally arrive with the warm water from January to April. Summer afternoons are better spent watching the surf than fishing in it.
If This Spot's Blown Out
Frequently Asked
Queensland. The border runs along Point Danger, so Snapper Rocks and Rainbow Bay are under Queensland fishing rules. Duranbah Beach and the Tweed River walls on the other side of the point are in New South Wales.
Tailor in winter, bream, luderick and dart year-round, mulloway after dark, and spotted mackerel and trevally in summer when bait pushes close to the rocks.
No. Queensland has no recreational fishing licence for tidal waters. A permit is needed only for some stocked freshwater dams, which doesn't apply here.
Yes. Shark control nets and drumlines operate off Rainbow Bay and Greenmount. It is an offence to be within 20 m of shark control equipment, so keep your lines and yourself well clear of it.