Stay up to date with the latest fishing action from around the Central Coast and Hawkesbury! Each week we bring you the hottest bites, what's being caught, where fish are feeding, the best baits and lures, local tips, and any unusual catches. Plus, check out photos and reports submitted by local anglers. Don't forget to send us your catches and boat photos to be featured in next week's report!
BRISBANE WATER FISHING REPORT — EARLY SEPTEMBER 2026
SPRING IS HERE — AND BRISBANE WATER IS WAKING UP!
Warm days, clearer water and bait starting to push back into the shallows are bringing the estuary to life.
Water temperatures are climbing out of the winter mid-teens and into the high teens, and the fishing should continue to improve as we move towards October.
The key this week is moving water + bait + structure. The first and last hours of the tide change and the change of light are well worth fishing.
WHAT'S BITING
FLATHEAD — SWITCHING ON HARD
The classic spring flathead pattern is starting to kick in.
Look for fish around Woy Woy Channel, Pelican Island drop-offs, Saratoga and the sandy edges of deeper channels.
HOT TIP: 3–4" paddle-tail plastics in natural colours, slow-rolled along the bottom. Live prawns and other fresh bait are also worth a shot.
Best areas: Pelican Island • Koolewong • Saratoga • St Huberts Island • Wagstaffe
BREAM — DEEP SCHOOLS & SHALLOW CRUISERS
Bream are showing two sides of their spring behaviour.
Look deeper around Koolewong, Point Clare, bridge pylons and structure, then check the shallows around mangroves, oyster areas and pontoons as the incoming tide pushes in. HOT TIP: Light leaders, tiny hardbodies and small plastics. Fresh prawn is hard to beat when bait fishing.
Best areas: Fisherman's Cove • Booker Bay • Kincumber Channel • Spike Milligan Bridge
WHITING — EARLY SEASON TEASERS
The first signs of the spring whiting run are appearing as the sand flats warm up.
Davistown and surrounding clean sand flats are worth a look, particularly around the top of the tide.
HOT TIP: Bloodworms, beachworms, nippers or yabbies on light gear. On calm mornings, try small surface walkers.
SQUID — CLEAN WATER = GOOD SQUID
The clearer lower reaches are worth exploring for squid.
Try Ettalong, Half Tide Rocks, weed beds, rocky edges and around suitable structure.
HOT TIP: 2.5–3.0 jigs in pink, white or natural prawn colours. Slow lift-and-pause retrieves are the go.
And remember — good squid means excellent bait for the bigger predators!
TAILOR — KEEP AN EYE OUT!
Small schools can turn up around the entrance and deeper channels when bait is present.
Empire Bay and Woy Woy Channel are worth keeping an eye on around the change of light.
HOT TIP: Carry a few metal slugs and work them quickly when you find bait being smashed on the surface.
LUDERICK — STILL AROUND
Early spring is still a good time to target luderick around rock walls, pylons, weed beds and bridge structure.
HOT TIP: Green weed or cabbage fished under a float on the run-out tide.
MULLOWAY — THE NIGHT SHIFT
For those chasing something bigger, the deeper channels and bridge structure are worth a crack after dark.
The Rip Bridge and Woy Woy Channel remain classic areas to investigate.
HOT TIP: Live bait or soft vibes worked slowly around deep structure during a good tide change.
CONDITIONS SNAPSHOT Water: High teens and warming Clarity: Generally cleaner towards the lower reaches Tide: Moving water and tide changes are key Bait: Starting to push back into the shallows
After rain, expect extra colour and fresh water in the upper reaches. If the water gets dirty, move towards the lower reaches and cleaner water.
HOTSPOTS TO TRY
AREA TARGETS
The Rip Bridge Mulloway • Bream • Flathead
Woy Woy Channel Mulloway • Bream • Flathead • Tailor
Pelican Island Flathead
Koolewong Flathead • Bream
Saratoga Bream • Flathead • Whiting
Davistown Flats Whiting • Flathead
Wagstaffe Point & Bar Flathead
Fisherman's Cove Bream • Flathead
Booker Bay Bream • Flathead
St Huberts Island Bridge Flathead
Kincumber Channel Bream
Lintern & Paddys Channels Flathead • Bream • Mulloway
Spike Milligan Bridge Luderick • Bream • Mulloway
Ettalong Squid • Bream
Umina Beach Flathead • Whiting
Cockle Channel Mixed estuary species
EMPIRE'S WEEKEND PLAN
Start with the squid Hit the cleaner lower reaches early and fill the bait bucket.
Follow the bait Work the drop-offs and channel edges for flathead.
Hit the sand flats Fish the incoming tide for early-season whiting.
Fish the structure Pontoons, pylons, oyster areas and rock walls are prime bream country.
Stay out late If you're chasing mulloway, give the deeper channels a crack after dark.
THE TIP OF THE WEEK
DON'T JUST FISH A SPOT — FISH THE CONDITIONS.
Find bait.
Find moving water.
Find structure.
When all three come together, you've got a much better chance of finding the fish.
HEADING OUT THIS WEEKEND?
STOP IN AT EMPIRE FISHING & BOATING BEFORE YOU GO!
We're your local bait & tackle shop, with fresh, live and frozen bait, fishing tackle, rods, reels and plenty of local knowledge.
Come in and see what's actually been crossing the counter this week and we'll help point you in the right direction.
53 Ocean Beach Road, Woy Woy
4309 6609