Urangan Pier

Urangan Pier runs about 868 m out from the Esplanade at Urangan, one of the longest remaining piers in Australia, and it is the reason a lot of Hervey Bay anglers own a trolley. The first half crosses sand flats that dry on a big low; the outer end reaches the deep channel that feeds the Great Sandy Strait. That gives one structure two fisheries: whiting and bream on the flats, and trevally, queenfish, mackerel and the odd tuna off the deep end. It is also the town's evening promenade, so expect an audience for every fish.

For winter whiting and bream, fish small baits on light gear on the run-in tide along the inner and middle sections. For the pelagics, walk to the end, fish the hour either side of the tide change when the current eases, and float or cast a live bait or metal slug into the channel. Flathead sit on the edges of the sand banks either side of the pier on the bottom of the tide. Bring a long pier gaff for anything big — the deck is a long way above the water at low tide, and nets of any kind, landing and drop nets included, can't be carried inside the Hervey Bay netting closure. Pick your end before you start; it is a long walk to change your mind.

Trumpeter (winter) whiting have no minimum size and a possession limit of 50. Yellowfin bream are 25 cm (combined possession 30 with pikey bream and tarwhine), and sand whiting 23 cm (combined 30). Trevally have no size limit but a combined possession of 20; queenfish are 50 cm (5), school mackerel 50 cm (10) and dusky flathead 40–75 cm (5). Queensland uses possession limits, which include fish already in the freezer at home.

The pier runs through a gap in Great Sandy Marine Park, but the water off the end and along the western side is the Great Sandy Strait conservation park (yellow) zone. Fish to the yellow-zone rule along the whole pier: max 2 rods or handlines and 2 hooks in total per person. The pier also sits inside the Hervey Bay recreational netting closure, which runs from Point Vernon past Scarness Jetty and the pier to the boat harbour wall — recreational fishers must not use or possess a net there — cast, drop and landing nets included. No fishing licence is needed in Queensland tidal waters.

The pier starts on the Esplanade at Urangan, with parking and the Mary to Bay Rail Trail at the shore end. The deck is flat and wide, but it is the best part of a kilometre to the end, so a trolley earns its keep. Toilets, food and tackle are back along the Esplanade.

Hervey Bay has big tides — a spring tide here moves more than three metres — and the run along the pier is strongest mid-tide. The bay is sheltered from southerly swell by K'gari, so the pier fishes on most days, but a fresh north-easterly puts chop down its length. Clear, settled winter days are the classic whiting days. On a still evening the pier is the calmest place in town, at least until somebody hooks a GT.

Marine stingers, including Irukandji, are a risk in Hervey Bay waters, especially November to May; carry vinegar. Never climb down off the pier to the water. The deck is high and the current under the outer end is strong; keep children back from the edge. Watch for cyclists and walkers on the deck when casting.

About 868 m. The outer end reaches the deep channel at the top of the Great Sandy Strait, which is where the trevally, queenfish and mackerel are caught.

No. Queensland has no recreational fishing licence for tidal waters. Size and possession limits still apply, as does the marine park rule of max 2 rods or handlines and 2 hooks in total per person.

No. The pier is inside the Hervey Bay recreational netting closure, where recreational fishers must not use or possess a net.

Winter is the pier's big season for whiting, bream and school mackerel. For the pelagics off the end, fish the hour either side of the tide change.