Offshore fishing marks: Cape Moreton and Point Lookout
11 places to fish off Cape Moreton and Point Lookout: all reached only by boat. Each has its marine park zone, the ramps a boat trip there leaves from, its tide place and what is in season in October.
Updated
Species seasons here follow our Offshore Moreton guide, which covers Hutchinson Shoal, Cape Moreton, Flinders Reef, Point Lookout wides, Tempest and the 35-80 m grounds, the shelf and Moreton/Stradbroke FADs. Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.
See this week's fishing forecast for Cape Moreton offshore: the app rates each day for small-boat fishing, with the best time of day, wind, tide and what to target.
Spots at a glance
| Spot | Type | Access | Sheltered in | Zone | Tide place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Hutchison Shoal | Reef | Boat | Open water | Light blue zone GUZ02 | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 2. Smith Rock | Reef | Boat | Open water | Dark blue zone HPZ02 | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 3. Brennan Shoal | Reef | Boat | Open water | Dark blue zone HPZ02 | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 4. Roberts Shoal | Reef | Boat | Open water | Dark blue zone HPZ02 | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 5. FAD 6 Bribie offshore | FAD (fish aggregating device) | Boat | Open water | Not in a marine park | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 6. FAD 17 Cape Moreton offshore | FAD (fish aggregating device) | Boat | Open water | Not in a marine park | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 7. FAD 16 Moreton offshore | FAD (fish aggregating device) | Boat | Open water | Not in a marine park | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 8. FAD 4 Stradbroke offshore | FAD (fish aggregating device) | Boat | Open water | Not in a marine park | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 9. FAD 15 Point Lookout offshore | FAD (fish aggregating device) | Boat | Open water | Not in a marine park | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 10. SFAD 2A Point Lookout shelf | FAD (fish aggregating device) | Boat | Open water | Not in a marine park | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
| 11. SFAD 3A Cape Moreton shelf | FAD (fish aggregating device) | Boat | Open water | Not in a marine park | Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side |
1. Hutchison Shoal
- Type
- Reef
- Access
- Boat; from Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar); our forecast plans a 7-hour trip; about 2 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Snapper, Pearl perch, Tuskfish and Cobia (7 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for pearl perch, tuskfish and cobia; change of tide for snapper
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- General Use Zone (light blue) GUZ02 Moreton Bay-Offshore: normal Fisheries rules (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person).
- Note
- Reef north of Flinders Reef; snapper, pearl perch, pelagics. Access: Offshore boats only.
- Map
- -26.94346, 153.48625 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
2. Smith Rock
- Type
- Reef
- Access
- Boat; from Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar); our forecast plans a 7-hour trip; about 1.3 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Snapper, Pearl perch, Tuskfish and Cobia (7 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for pearl perch, tuskfish and cobia; change of tide for snapper
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ02 Moreton Island to Broadwater: normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Rock south of Flinders Reef. Access: Offshore boats only.
- Map
- -27.00333, 153.48528 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
3. Brennan Shoal
- Type
- Reef
- Access
- Boat; from Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar); our forecast plans a 7-hour trip; about 1 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Snapper, Pearl perch, Tuskfish and Cobia (7 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for pearl perch, tuskfish and cobia; change of tide for snapper
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ02 Moreton Island to Broadwater: normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Shoal off Cape Moreton. Access: Offshore boats only.
- Map
- -27.02083, 153.48490 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
4. Roberts Shoal
- Type
- Reef
- Access
- Boat; from Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar); our forecast plans a 7-hour trip; about 1.1 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Snapper, Pearl perch, Tuskfish and Cobia (7 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for pearl perch, tuskfish and cobia; change of tide for snapper
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ02 Moreton Island to Broadwater: normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Shoal off Cape Moreton. Access: Offshore boats only.
- Map
- -27.03083, 153.48917 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
5. FAD 6 Bribie offshore
- Type
- FAD (fish aggregating device)
- Access
- Boat; from Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar); our forecast plans a 7-hour trip; about 3.6 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Spanish mackerel and Yellowfin tuna (2 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for Spanish mackerel and yellowfin tuna
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Surface FAD 12 nm from Comboyuro Point. Access: Offshore boats only.
- Map
- -26.92892, 153.52958 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
FADs move: check it's deployed on the qld.gov.au FAD list (list last updated 31 Aug 2026, checked 8 Oct 2026).
6. FAD 17 Cape Moreton offshore
- Type
- FAD (fish aggregating device)
- Access
- Boat; from Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar); our forecast plans a 7-hour trip; about 4 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Spanish mackerel and Yellowfin tuna (2 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for Spanish mackerel and yellowfin tuna
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Surface FAD 5 nm from Cape Moreton. Access: Offshore boats only.
- Map
- -26.99423, 153.55975 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
FADs move: check it's deployed on the qld.gov.au FAD list (list last updated 31 Aug 2026, checked 8 Oct 2026).
7. FAD 16 Moreton offshore
- Type
- FAD (fish aggregating device)
- Access
- Boat; from Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar; our forecast plans a 6-hour trip; about 10.1 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Spanish mackerel and Yellowfin tuna (2 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for Spanish mackerel and yellowfin tuna
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Surface FAD 13 nm from the South Passage bar. Access: Offshore boats only.
- Map
- -27.18495, 153.61490 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
FADs move: check it's deployed on the qld.gov.au FAD list (list last updated 31 Aug 2026, checked 8 Oct 2026).
8. FAD 4 Stradbroke offshore
- Type
- FAD (fish aggregating device)
- Access
- Boat; from Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar; our forecast plans a 6-hour trip; about 8.9 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Spanish mackerel and Yellowfin tuna (2 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for Spanish mackerel and yellowfin tuna
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Surface FAD 9.5 nm from the South Passage bar. Access: Offshore boats only.
- Map
- -27.28382, 153.62787 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
FADs move: check it's deployed on the qld.gov.au FAD list (list last updated 31 Aug 2026, checked 8 Oct 2026).
9. FAD 15 Point Lookout offshore
- Type
- FAD (fish aggregating device)
- Access
- Boat; from Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar; our forecast plans a 6-hour trip; about 6.7 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Spanish mackerel and Yellowfin tuna (2 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for Spanish mackerel and yellowfin tuna
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Surface FAD 12 nm from the South Passage bar. Access: Offshore boats only.
- Map
- -27.39080, 153.67705 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
FADs move: check it's deployed on the qld.gov.au FAD list (list last updated 31 Aug 2026, checked 8 Oct 2026).
10. SFAD 2A Point Lookout shelf
- Type
- FAD (fish aggregating device)
- Access
- Boat; from Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar; our forecast plans a 6-hour trip; about 14.6 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Spanish mackerel and Yellowfin tuna (2 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for Spanish mackerel and yellowfin tuna
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Subsurface FADs on the shelf, 19 nm out; marlin and tuna. Access: Offshore boats only.
- Map
- -27.42867, 153.82940 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
FADs move: check it's deployed on the qld.gov.au FAD list (list last updated 31 Aug 2026, checked 8 Oct 2026).
11. SFAD 3A Cape Moreton shelf
- Type
- FAD (fish aggregating device)
- Access
- Boat; from Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar); our forecast plans a 7-hour trip; about 15 nm offshore
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Spanish mackerel and Yellowfin tuna (2 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for Spanish mackerel and yellowfin tuna
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Subsurface FADs on the shelf, 22 nm from Comboyuro Point. Access: Offshore boats only.
- Map
- -27.01790, 153.76530 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Moreton and Stradbroke ocean side (heights estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
FADs move: check it's deployed on the qld.gov.au FAD list (list last updated 31 Aug 2026, checked 8 Oct 2026).
Reefs and offshore marks
11 boat-only marks off Cape Moreton and Point Lookout: Hutchison Shoal, Smith Rock, Brennan Shoal, Roberts Shoal, FAD 6 Bribie offshore, FAD 17 Cape Moreton offshore, FAD 16 Moreton offshore, FAD 4 Stradbroke offshore, FAD 15 Point Lookout offshore, SFAD 2A Point Lookout shelf and SFAD 3A Cape Moreton shelf. FAD 6 Bribie offshore, FAD 17 Cape Moreton offshore, FAD 16 Moreton offshore, FAD 4 Stradbroke offshore, FAD 15 Point Lookout offshore, SFAD 2A Point Lookout shelf and SFAD 3A Cape Moreton shelf are also on the FAD GPS marks page, with GPX and CSV downloads.
| Mark | Position (decimal, DMS, DDM) | Launch from | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hutchison Shoal | -26.94346, 153.4862526°56′36″S 153°29′11″E26°56.608′S 153°29.175′E | From Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar) | Light blue zone GUZ02 |
| Smith Rock | -27.00333, 153.4852827°00′12″S 153°29′07″E27°00.200′S 153°29.117′E | From Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar) | Dark blue zone HPZ02 |
| Brennan Shoal | -27.02083, 153.4849027°01′15″S 153°29′06″E27°01.250′S 153°29.094′E | From Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar) | Dark blue zone HPZ02 |
| Roberts Shoal | -27.03083, 153.4891727°01′51″S 153°29′21″E27°01.850′S 153°29.350′E | From Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar) | Dark blue zone HPZ02 |
| FAD 6 Bribie offshore | -26.92892, 153.5295826°55′44″S 153°31′46″E26°55.735′S 153°31.775′E | From Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar) | Not in a marine park; FAD: check it's deployed (list 31 Aug 2026) |
| FAD 17 Cape Moreton offshore | -26.99423, 153.5597526°59′39″S 153°33′35″E26°59.654′S 153°33.585′E | From Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar) | Not in a marine park; FAD: check it's deployed (list 31 Aug 2026) |
| FAD 16 Moreton offshore | -27.18495, 153.6149027°11′06″S 153°36′54″E27°11.097′S 153°36.894′E | From Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar | Not in a marine park; FAD: check it's deployed (list 31 Aug 2026) |
| FAD 4 Stradbroke offshore | -27.28382, 153.6278727°17′02″S 153°37′40″E27°17.029′S 153°37.672′E | From Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar | Not in a marine park; FAD: check it's deployed (list 31 Aug 2026) |
| FAD 15 Point Lookout offshore | -27.39080, 153.6770527°23′27″S 153°40′37″E27°23.448′S 153°40.623′E | From Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar | Not in a marine park; FAD: check it's deployed (list 31 Aug 2026) |
| SFAD 2A Point Lookout shelf | -27.42867, 153.8294027°25′43″S 153°49′46″E27°25.720′S 153°49.764′E | From Dunwich – Yabby St ramp, across the South Passage Bar | Not in a marine park; FAD: check it's deployed (list 31 Aug 2026) |
| SFAD 3A Cape Moreton shelf | -27.01790, 153.7653027°01′04″S 153°45′55″E27°01.074′S 153°45.918′E | From Bongaree – Welsby Pde ramp, Sandstone Point – Kal Ma Kuta Dr ramp or Scarborough Boat Harbour walls, through the Moreton Bay northern entrance (open water, no bar) | Not in a marine park; FAD: check it's deployed (list 31 Aug 2026) |
Positions are a guide only, not for navigation: check your chart and the official zoning maps.
What's biting here in October?
In peak season off Cape Moreton and Point Lookout in October: snapper, pearl perch, tuskfish, cobia and 6 more. Of the 14 species in our Offshore Moreton guide that these spots reach, 10 peak in October 2026 and 3 more are in season.
Also in season: Teraglin, Moses perch, Spanish mackerel, Yellowtail kingfish, Amberjack and samsonfish, Yellowfin tuna, Mahi mahi, Wahoo and Spanner crab.
Out of season in October: Marlin (best Dec–Feb).
Every species and its size and bag limits: species guides. Seasons are closure-aware: a species in its closed season is never listed as in season, and its best months leave out any month with a closed day.
Species photos are used under Creative Commons or public-domain terms; see photo credits for each photographer and licence.
Can you fish here? Rules, green zones and safety
You don't need a licence to fish Queensland's tidal waters (licence rules), but size and possession limits and closed seasons apply. None of the 11 spots on this page is in a green zone. No fishing at Flinders Reef.
Size and bag limits: Queensland tidal size and possession limits (our species guides were checked 8 Oct 2026). Fishing rules for South East Queensland.
No fishing here
- No fishing at Flinders Reef: Inside green zone MNP04 Flinders Reef, also a no-anchoring area (use the public moorings): no fishing.
Bars and open water
Trips to sea from here cross the South Passage Bar. MSQ: only experienced skippers with local knowledge should cross. Lifejackets must be worn crossing a designated bar in an open boat, or in an open area of any boat (the law since 1 Dec 2024, enforced from 1 Jul 2025; MSQ, checked 9 Oct 2026). Trips to the northern grounds go out through the Moreton Bay northern entrance: no bar, but open water. Seaward of the Skirmish Point – Comboyuro Point line is open water: open-water safety gear applies (Marine Safety Regulation). We never call a crossing safe: check the conditions yourself.
Marine rescue
Log on and off with MRQ North Stradbroke (ask the unit for log-on details) and MRQ Bribie Island (ask the unit for log-on details). Emergency: 000 (112 from mobiles) · VHF 16 for distress (checked 8 Oct 2026).
Weather and zones
Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: Sunshine Coast Waters forecast, Gold Coast Waters forecast and Current warnings. Marine park zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official zoning maps and app.
Other rules in parts of South East Queensland
Each rule's text says where it applies.
- White spot disease movement area (Caloundra to the NSW border, 100 m off Bribie, Moreton and Stradbroke, inland to Ipswich): prawns, saltwater yabbies, marine worms and other crustaceans must not leave it unless cooked; decontaminate gear and boats when leaving. Exempt: spanner, three-spotted, blue swimmer and mud crabs, bugs, lobsters, red claw. Never use raw supermarket prawns as bait. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Prawn-farm channels: Biosecurity Area 2 near Logan-area prawn farms (e.g. Jacobs Well, Pimpama, Steiglitz, Woongoolba, Southern Moreton Bay Islands): no line fishing in farm intake/drainage channels or within 100 m of them; crab pots, cast nets and yabby pumps are allowed. Follow the signs. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Bivalves: pipis only: Bivalves and gastropods are no take in Moreton Bay and all tidal waters flowing into it, except pipis (30). Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Coombabah Lake and Creek: Coombabah Lake and the tidal waters of Coombabah Creek upstream of the lake (Gold Coast): all fishing prohibited. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Spearfishing: No spearfishing within 100 m of any public jetty from the Noosa River south; also banned in Lake Weyba/lower Noosa River, the lower Maroochy (incl. the Cod Hole), the Mooloolah below Nicklin Way, parts of Pumicestone Passage, Jumpinpin and the Southport Broadwater/Seaway (south of 27°42′S), Tallebudgera Creek and the artificial reef off Cowan Cowan. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Lota–Wynnum worm digging: No worm digging on the Wynnum foreshore (Lota Creek to the Wynnum North Esplanade groyne); hand pumps only in Fish Habitat Areas. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- NSW waters: South of Point Danger (Tweed, Kingscliff, Cook Island) is NSW: NSW rules apply and a NSW recreational fishing licence is required (not covered here). Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
Nearby fishing areas
- Tangalooma and central Moreton Bay (about 28 km west)
- Straddie and Moreton ocean side (about 32 km south)
- Bribie Island (about 44 km west)
- Cleveland, Peel Island and Straddie (about 49 km south-west)
Distances are between the middle of each area's spots.
Sources and checked dates
- Place names and positions: Queensland place names gazetteer, © State of Queensland (Department of Resources), CC BY 4.0
- Spot positions: Queensland topographic data (QTopo), © State of Queensland (Department of Resources), CC BY 4.0
- FAD positions: qld.gov.au FAD list, © State of Queensland, CC BY 4.0
- Marine park zones: Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning, © State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Science) 2021, CC BY 4.0, simplified; guide only, not for navigation (zones checked 8 Oct 2026).
- Spot data checked 8 Oct 2026; area details checked 8 Oct 2026; bars checked 8 Oct 2026; marine rescue units checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Species seasons: our South East Queensland guide (Offshore Moreton), rules checked 8 Oct 2026. Tide places name the Maritime Safety Queensland predictions each spot uses (CC BY 4.0).
- Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.