Sunshine Coast FAD
Bait Ground·Queensland·Australia·
Field notes
Fisheries QLD-deployed Fish Attracting Device off Mooloolaba, anchored in deep water through the warmer months. Mahi-mahi are the main draw, with wahoo, yellowfin tuna and the odd marlin passing through. Trolling skirts close to the buoy or pitching pilchards works.
Current conditions
Wind
18.1 kt ESE
Gusts 23.9 kt
Waves
3.1 m
Period 8.7 s
Swell
2.6 m
Period 8.1 s
Sea temp
21.6°C
Air 20°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
18.1 ESE
3.1m
11:00
17.9 ESE
3m
12:00
17.2 ESE
2.9m
13:00
17 ESE
2.9m
14:00
16.8 ESE
2.8m
15:00
16.2 ESE
2.8m
16:00
16 SE
2.7m
17:00
16.3 SE
2.7m
18:00
15.7 SE
2.7m
19:00
15.8 ESE
2.6m
20:00
16.3 ESE
2.6m
21:00
16.3 ESE
2.6m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Caloundra Head ↗ (41.8 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · Sunshine Coast WatersIssued at 3:00 pm EST on Tuesday 21 July 2026
Situation. A weakening ridge of high pressure extends over the southern Queensland waters from a high [1031 hPa] centred over the Tasman Sea. A weak trough and westerly wind change may move east across far southern waters during Thursday. A firm ridge and southeasterly wind change will develop from Friday as a new high moves east across southern Australia.
Tuesday 21 July until midnight. Strong Wind Warning for Tuesday for Capricornia Coast Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots offshore north of Cape Capricorn in the late afternoon. Seas: 1.5 to 2 metres. Swell: East to southeasterly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres offshore. Weather: Partly cloudy.
Wednesday 22 July. Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1.5 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 metre during the morning. Swell: Easterly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 2 metres offshore. Weather: Mostly sunny.
Thursday 23 July. Winds: Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots decreasing to about 10 knots in the evening. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Easterly below 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 2 metres offshore. Weather: Mostly sunny.
Friday 24 July. Winds: Southerly 10 to 15 knots turning southeasterly 15 to 20 knots during the afternoon. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore south of Cape Capricorn during the afternoon. Swell: Easterly 1 to 1.5 metres, decreasing to around 1 metre during the morning. Weather: Mostly sunny. Hervey Bay
Source: Open-Meteo Marine + ECMWF (15-min cache) · BOM (1-hr cache). Not for navigation.
Sun & moon
Today
Sun↑ 06:32↓ 17:13
Moon↑ 10:45↓ 00:06
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
- Dawn06:07 – 07:32
- Dusk16:13 – 17:38
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:32↓ 17:14
Moon↑ 11:17↓ 01:03
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
- Dawn06:07 – 07:32
- Dusk16:14 – 17:39
Best windows combine civil twilight with the hour either side of sun transit — the universal low-light feeding window most species respond to. Moon phase influence is folkloric; full and new moons coincide with the strongest tide swings.
What's biting
Recent reports from the community. Sign in to log your own catches.
Access & logistics
Spot type
Bait Ground
Region
Queensland, Australia
Fishing style
offshore and bluewater fishing
Structure
Typically holds drop-offs — work the structure for holding fish.
Licence
Recreational fishing licence may apply — check the Queensland fisheries regulator before fishing.
Closures
Always confirm current marine park / closure status and seasonal bag limits.
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