I wouldn't be caught dead without a kayak at Bribie
Sunset over Bribie Island
As far as kayak fishing destinations go, Bribie Island has a hell of a lot going for it. The Pumicestone Channel offers an inner sanctum that is relatively protected from coastal weather, providing calm waters and numerous launching prospects. Bream and Flathead seem to be the staple diet fish of this stretch of water, although I've read and heard reports of Snapper and Mulloway as well as occasional runs of Mackeral and Tuna. Dolphins and Sea Turtles are commonly seen here as well.
With quick access to Moreton Bay from the channel, Pumicestone offers a variation of fishing opportunities – all of them accessible for kayak fishermen. More adventurous or ambitious of our kind will be attracted to the Ocean beaches as well, where reports of admirable catches of Cobia, Snapper, Longtail, Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna originate. I was able to chance upon a school of Longtail Tuna and even managed a hook up. But so powerful was this fish (unexpectedly so) that there was just no way of bringing it in with the tackle I was using.
Indeed, the chances of catching a larger fish do seem to be increased on the Ocean side of the island. And although I would suggest to pay caution to the outer-lying currents, don't let the term 'ocean beach' scare you. If you pick the right day (and time of day) then venturing into the ocean here should prove to be relatively simple.
Large flock of birds in Moreton Bay
And therein lies one of the beauties of Bribie Island. With fish catching opportunities on all corners of the island, there will usually be somewhere that is fishable at any given time of the day, regardless of the weather conditions. With so many potential kayak fishing spots on offer, it also makes for a great kayak fishing holiday destination. My first visit was 5 days and fishing each of those days only really managed to explore some of the areas in the south. By all accounts, the fishing is just as good in the northern end of the Island.
Kayak Fishing Bribie Island
Partially due to the convenience of both the Bongaree and Woorim caravan parks (both of which I stayed at respectively) most of my exploring was done with the channel itself, from under the bridge at Sandstone Point and down to Bongaree, into Moreton Bay and around to Woorim. My first few outings were undertaken in the relatively calm flowing waters of the channel, which was a nice soft way to get familiar with the area and work my around to the ocean side.
The great thing about the channel (especially for kayakers) is that rarely does a day pass that the conditions aren't highly suitable for paddling around in. Unlike the far less protected ocean side, the island does provide protection from easterly winds and the currents are far more predictable. Tides can and do move in and out with reasonable force, but you wouldn't really have to be a 'strong' paddler to explore this patch of water.
A great way to approach the channel is to simply drift with the currents, jigging lures as you go, or otherwise drifting baits. Launching from Bongaree on the tail end of an incoming tide will see you carried some distance upstream. If you time it well enough (not terribly difficult) the tide will change and eventually carry you back.
Alternatively, you could try your luck at one of the various hotspots around the channel, such as entrances to river and creek mouths or under and around the bridge, where Snapper and Mulloway are reported. Flathead can be found in various parts of the channel and Bream can also be targeted around the rocky drop off that runs along the bank off Bongaree (this is easier to detect from land on a low tide).
60cm Snapper
The ocean beach off Woorim is a different kettle of fish altogether and an alternative approach to kayaking and fishing this area needs to be taken. Unless you paddle all the way around from the south of the island you will launch into the surf (which may or may not be fairly active), meaning you might be rolling the dice on the way back in through the breakers. Ergo, it's a good idea to have everything strapped down and secured to the yak. You should also be prepared for much stronger currents here, armed with at least some idea of what the tides are doing. My preference for fishing off the beach at Woorim was to fish during an incoming tide, which I found to be productive on the fish and reasonably safe. One particular day was so calm it almost felt like fishing in a lake.
Calm as a Hindu Cow
There's a greater chance of hooking onto something big in these waters and it pays to be prepared. Reports of various species of Mackeral, Tuna and sharks are relatively common here, as well as large Snapper and Tailor. With a school of Longtail Tuna showing up on my first visit here, I quickly realized that the tackle needed to be beefed up to match. I did hook one of these powerful gargantuan fish but had no hope of bringing it to the yak with the gear I was using (at least I had the lure right!). Be prepared with at least one rod that really can handle a good strong fish. And I do mean strong!
From reports I've heard, these larger fish can be encountered right along the outer coastline of the island. When I return to Bribie Island I will likely take advantage of the beach camping areas north of Woorim (4WD access only – permits available at the Bongaree caravan park) and do some further exploring towards the north.
Summary
I arrived at Bribie Island with intentions to stay for 3 days, but I quickly figured out that it deserved at least a couple more days worth of my attention. Certainly, it's proven itself to me as a place worth marking on a map and I will definitely return. With such close proximity to Brisbane there's little wonder that kayak fishing isn't so much of an enigma to the locals there. With so much variety in both fish and fishing locations, Bribie Island is a pretty safe bet for a guaranteed good time for any kayak fishing enthusiast.
How to get there
Turn into Caboolture Bribie Island road from the Bruce Hwy. Bribie Island is a 15 minute drive from that intersection.
