Choosing Fishing Lures for Bundaberg Estuaries and Beaches

Walk into any tackle shop and the lure wall can be overwhelming. The good news is that you don’t need hundreds of lures to catch fish around Bundaberg. A small, well-chosen selection covers most situations. Here’s a practical guide.

The three main lure types

Soft plastics. Soft, flexible lures that imitate prawns, baitfish and worms. They’re versatile, effective on flathead and bream, and a great place for beginners to start. Brands we stock include Gulp and Squidgies.

Hard-bodied lures. Minnow-style and diving lures that imitate small fish. They work well around structure such as snags, rock walls and oyster racks. We stock hard-bodied lures from brands including Rapala, Halco, RMG, Tilsan, Tsunami and TT Lures.

Metal lures and blades. Compact, heavy lures that cast a long way and sink quickly. Handy from the beach and for covering water fast.

Matching lures to local fish

• Flathead: soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom near sand and mud edges.
• Bream: small soft plastics and shallow-diving hard-bodies around structure.
• Whiting: small, natural-looking lures and bait around sand flats and beach gutters.
• Mangrove jack: tough, hard-bodied lures fished tight to cover. Use strong leader.

Try different colours and sizes. As a rule of thumb, natural colours suit clear water and brighter or darker colours suit stained water.

Match your gear to your lure

Light lures need a light, sensitive rod and a small spin reel loaded with light line. Heavier lures need a stiffer rod and stronger line. See our guide: Choosing a Fishing Rod and Reel for Bundaberg Waters.

Don’t skimp on leader and hooks

A fluorocarbon leader helps keep your line out of sight and protects against sharp teeth and abrasive structure. Keep your hooks sharp and replace rusty ones.

Tips to catch more fish

• Fish moving water. Tide changes often switch fish on.
• Vary your retrieve: pause, twitch, wind and drop.
• Change lures if you’re not getting bites after a reasonable time.
• Carry a small range of weights, jig heads and spare lures.

Respect the rules

Check Fisheries Queensland for current size limits, bag limits and closures, and handle fish carefully if you plan to release them.

Ask the locals

The best advice comes from people who fish here. Our team can show you what’s working, suggest the right lure for your target species and set you up with leader, jig heads and tackle. Drop into Rehbeins at 35 Targo Street, Bundaberg, or call (07) 4151 3194.