A guide to fishing Mackay without a boat

If you're planning to explore the hiking trails and natural wonder around Finch Hatton Gorge, your best bet to catch fish without a boat is to hit up one of the stocked dams.

Kinchant Dam is a great start. It’s relatively small compared to some lakes, but don’t let that fool you. It’s home to some of the largest barramundi you can get a hook into, along with sooty grunter and sleepy cod. Located about 40 minutes west of Mackay, Kinchant Dam is nestled among the beauty of the hinterland.

Metre-long catches are par for the course in Kinchant Dam, as well as its little brother Teemburra Dam, which is about 20 minutes away.

If you're staying on dry land, stick bait lures and soft plastics are a good start. Use a 60lb leader with a 10lb line, and bring a short, strong rod so you can keep those pesky barra from getting behind structures and snapping your line. 

On top of the gear, you’re going to need some good weather. Barramundi are picky, so a clear, warm, wind-free day will give you the best shot. 

But where to throw in your line? There are some good inlets that allow land-based anglers an express pass into the action. You’ll find yourself casting to the same spots a lot of boats are fishing at, which is always a great thing.

Aim for weeds, rocks or any kind of structure, but be careful of getting snagged. Barramundi fishing takes some finesse but the rewards are well worth it - especially when those rewards are over a metre long and take two people to lift.

Sit back and get salty

For easy access to great saltwater fishing, make your way to Mackay’s marina. Here, you’ve got a pretty good chance at catching mackerel, tuna, queenfish, golden trevally and dart - so come prepared for anything. 

That means 60-100lb mono leaders, a big reel, and lots of line, because once a tuna grabs your bait you’re going to love having a few hundred metres of line handy just in case it’s a big one. 

Timing is important, too. Try fishing when the tide is going out or coming in – that’s when the bait fish are on the move (and so are the hungry predators).

There are a few different spots to choose from and it all depends on the day. If you want a fail-safe, just head out to the end of the rock wall on the eastern point and start dropping in your bait. Chances are pretty good that you'll hook into something with big teeth and a powerful tail.

Holidaying near Cape Hillsborough? Coastal spots like Smalleys Beach, Belmunda Beach or Halliday Bay are popular too. Fish the creek mouth flats for whiting, bream and flathead. 

Cast where the river runs wild

The Pioneer River is 120 kilometres of fish highway just waiting for your bait - if you're looking to hook bream, whiting, trevally, or flathead, you'll have bites in no time. 

So if you aren’t catching something near the hospital bridge then you can move on to Ron Camm Bridge. Still nothing? Head out west of Mackay to Marian.

In Marian you can get easy access to the banks of the river (watch the slippery rocks) where you can catch some great sooty grunter and even the odd barra. Once you catch it, throw it straight on the BBQ at Edward Lloyd Park. Light gear is great here because most of your catches won’t be huge, but with a light line, they’ll be just as fun to reel in. 

That said, you can still hook massive queenfish and barramundi near the mouth of the Pioneer River in Mackay, so bring a second ‘big fish’ rod just in case. Explore the scenic Bluewater Trail while you’re there to give your arms a break.

Looking for more spots to go fishing in Mackay? Head into the local fishing shops and they’ll give you up-to-date info on what’s biting so you can plan your fishing trip. The adventures don't stop once you've reached your bag limit - nature lovers will find much more to discover.