Tweed Heads Fishing Guides
Tweed Heads fishing charters work the Tweed River, its mangrove-lined creeks, and quick offshore runs to reefs and current lines where snapper, mackerel, and tuna keep rods bent year-round.
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Tweed Heads, NSW Fishing Guide
Tweed Heads is one of the most versatile fisheries on the east coast. The Tweed River itself is a maze of sandflats, channels, and mangrove creeks that produce bream, flathead, whiting, mangrove jack, and jewfish. Just outside the bar, you’re into inshore reefs and pinnacles that hold snapper, pearl perch, and cobia. Push wider into the East Australian Current and you’ll find pelagics—Spanish mackerel, wahoo, tuna, and marlin depending on the season.
Charters here range from short half-day estuary sessions in the river to full-day offshore runs out past Nine Mile Reef and beyond. The river trips are usually in small trailer boats working lures and live baits along banks and snags. Offshore charters leave from the Tweed Marina, crossing the river bar before running to reefs within 5–10 miles. Full-day bluewater trips push 20–30 miles into current lines for mahi mahi, marlin, and tuna. Night trips are offered for jewfish and mangrove jack in the estuary during the warmer months.
Seasonality sets the pattern. Summer is prime for jacks and whiting in the river, and Spanish mackerel offshore. Autumn brings tuna schools and cobia. Winter fires up the snapper on inshore reefs, while flathead dominate the river. Spring delivers a mix—jacks re-fire in the creeks, and offshore waters bring mahi mahi and early mackerel. Year-round, jewfish and trevally offer steady options in the river and reefs.
Techniques are split between bait and lure work. Inshore, soft plastics, vibes, and hardbodies are fished along drop-offs for flathead and bream, while live herring or mullet tempt jewfish and jacks. Offshore, bottom fishing with squid and pilchards accounts for reef species, while trolling garfish and lures produces mackerel, wahoo, and tuna. Tweed Heads sits on the NSW/QLD border, and its fishery reflects both influences—barra-style estuary sessions inside, and bluewater pelagic runs outside.
Fishing Seasons in Tweed Heads
Autumn (March–May)
Autumn is a transition season in Tweed. In the estuary, flathead fire as they move towards the river mouth for spawning, making soft plastics and vibes effective along sand flats and drains. Bream and whiting feed harder as the water warms, especially on surface lures in the shallows. Offshore, mahi mahi show around FADs and traps, taken on live baits and trolling lures. Early mackerel may appear depending on currents, while snapper remain steady on the reefs. Charters this time of year often split days between estuary mornings and offshore afternoons.
Winter (June–August)
Winter is the peak estuary season. Mangrove jack bite aggressively in the creeks and around bridge pylons, smashing live herring and hardbody lures. Whiting dominate the sandflats, best on worms and yabbies or surface poppers on high tides. In the offshore grounds, Spanish mackerel, wahoo, and longtail tuna are the prime targets, taken trolling or drifting live baits. Mahi mahi school heavily offshore, giving light tackle action. Night fishing in summer is popular in the river, with jewfish and jacks feeding well on the neap tides.
Spring (September–November)
Spring brings the tuna run. Yellowfin, longtail, and striped tuna push down the coast, with cubing and trolling both effective. Cobia school on reef structure, taking live baits and jigs. Snapper remain consistent on the reefs, and flathead continue to fish well in the estuary. Bream numbers build as the season cools, especially around rock walls and deeper holes. Offshore, the weather is often stable, making autumn one of the best times for long-range pelagic trips out of Tweed Heads.
Summer (December–February)
Summer slows the estuary surface bite but turns on the snapper offshore. Nine Mile Reef and other inshore patches produce quality reds, best on soft plastics, pilchards, and squid baits. Pearl perch and teraglin round out the reef catches. Inshore, flathead are reliable across the river, while bream school tight around bridges and rock walls. Tailor and salmon show up along the beaches and river mouth, striking metals and pilchards. Winter charters lean toward bottom fishing offshore or steady estuary sessions, with calm mornings and light winds common.
Gamefish in Tweed Heads
- Snapper – 2–20 lb. Peak in winter on inshore reefs, taken on baits and plastics.
- Spanish Mackerel – 10–40 lb. Summer offshore target, best trolling garfish or drifting live baits.
- Mangrove Jack – 2–15 lb. Summer estuary favorite, taken on live mullet and hardbody lures around structure.
- Flathead – 2–10 lb. Year-round in the Tweed River, strongest in spring and winter on soft plastics.
- Whiting – 1–2 lb. Peak summer on sandflats, best with worms, yabbies, or poppers.
- Jewfish (Mulloway) – 10–40 lb. Year-round in river holes and offshore reefs, prime on live mullet and squid.
- Yellowfin Tuna – 20–80 lb. Autumn offshore target, taken trolling and cubing.
- Mahi Mahi – 5–20 lb. Show in spring and summer around FADs, best on live baits and trolling lures
Tweed Heads Fishing FAQs
Where do most Tweed Heads charters depart from?
Most trips leave from Tweed Marina, with quick access to the river mouth and bar crossing onto the offshore grounds.
How long are typical charters?
Half-day trips fish the Tweed River or nearby reefs. Full-day trips run further offshore to pelagic grounds or mix estuary and reef sessions.
Do charters supply gear?
Yes, all tackle, bait, and rods are provided. Offshore boats carry heavy trolling outfits, while estuary guides use light gear for finesse fishing.
Do I need a license to fish Tweed Heads?
Yes, NSW requires a recreational license, but charters generally cover this as part of the trip.
When is the best time to fish Tweed Heads?
Summer is prime for mangrove jack, whiting, mackerel, and wahoo. Winter is best for snapper and flathead. Autumn delivers the tuna run.
What techniques are most used here?
Inshore it’s live-baiting and lure casting for jacks, flathead, and bream. Offshore it’s bottom fishing on reefs and trolling for pelagics.
What species are best for beginners?
Flathead, bream, and whiting in the river are great for new anglers. Offshore, snapper and pearl perch keep things simple and rewarding.
How many anglers can go on a charter?
Estuary boats usually take 2–4 anglers. Offshore vessels range from 6–10 depending on size.
Are night trips available?
Yes, especially in summer for jewfish and mangrove jack in the estuary. Offshore night trips are less common but can be arranged for reef fishing.