This area is a family favourite fishing location in the Mackay region. There is plenty of room to throw a few lines out and watch the procession of boats charge in and out of the mouth of the Pioneer River.
If you are fishing the area by boat the rock wall to the south on the river mouth is a good area to try for whiting on the incoming tide. Toward the top of the tide the currents produced around this location suit trevally and queenfish.
East point is an ideal place to enjoy a family fishing trip.
Trolling lures is a good option to cover a bit of ground and if you can pick a line where you’ll be bumping along the edges of the gutters you’ll probably turn up a few flathead. Quite a few stingrays call this area home as well.
If you’re on the bank a livebait will help but choose your tides and around the slack water between tide changes is the best time. A peeled prawn drifted down along the rocks on high tide may include mangrove jack, bream and grunter in your catch.
The gutters and beach front offer some good beach fishing with schools of trevally coming in quite close to the beach. They are a lot of fun on light gear and there are little obstacles to deal with. Queenfish also caught around the area and respond to the same techniques as trevally.
Tip > Flathead and whiting are common in the gutters but if you’re fishing in a crowd you may find they will have already moved into deeper water. The trick is to be first or last on the water.
Get There > Head to Mackay Harbour and turn right at the roundabout.
The Gear
Type of Fishing > Rock Wall, beach, river mouth
Bait Types > Prawn, yabbie, slab of garfish or mullet off the wall
Lures > Poppers, Shallow Running Lures, Soft Plastics around rocks
Peak Periods > All Year
Best Tides > All tide access
Tackle > Medium sized threadline tackle from the rocks. Use longer rods if fishing from the front beach
