Known as the Whale watching capital of the world, Hervey Bay located 360km north of Brisbane is also the birthplace of saltwater flats fishing in Australia, next to Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park.
Home to Golden Trevally, Long Tail Tuna, Snapper and more, the region also attracts juvenile Black Marlin in the Spring which can be targeted in the shallows on fly. Majestic Humpback whales frequent the waters here from July to November, where you can also find dolphins, dugongs, turtles and other wildlife such as the Fraser Island Dingo. Fraser Island is the largest sand Island in the world, which has created a perfect habitat for flats species combined with the tropical waters from the north and temperate waters from the south which converge here.
In addition to fully-guided fly fishing packages, Fly Odyssey can also help you plan a fun-filled family holiday to the region.
Hervey Bay has a huge variety of accommodation options suitable for couples, families or groups to suit your preferences and budget. This also includes stays on nearby Fraser Island.
We have put together a number of fully guided fly fishing packages to Hervey Bay such as the all-inclusive Fraser Island fly fishing and camping experience, to maximise your time on the water. Ideal for short breaks or city escapes, you will be based out of the Wathumba Creek camp ground in Platypus Bay, with the benefit of being able to fish from sunrise to sunset, sleep under the stars and experience the natural beauty of Fraser Island.
For longer stays in the area, we can arrange on the water accommodation aboard the 58ft Freedom Mothership, which is fully equipped with all the modern comforts you would expect of a catamaran of this size. Including great food, a fully licensed bar, saloon lounge and viewing decks to relax and unwind with your mates at the end of a big day of fishing.
Hervey Bay Fly and Sportfishing Charters operates in this unique fishery out of a Gale-force 18.5 ft. center console which has been custom built for the flats. It features both rear and front casting decks, 2 ice-boxes, plenty of dry storage, Minn Kota bow mount electric, the latest Lowrance electronics, fusion mp3 player and a whisper quiet 100 hp Yamaha four stoke outboard. Fraser Island to the east protects the Hervey Bay flats from the south-easterly trade winds and gives anglers access to sheltered fishing conditions year-round.
Seasonally, the species encountered around Hervey Bay vary with changes in water temperature and migration patterns of pelagics and prey. Autumn months are famous for glass-out conditions, with Barramundi, Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel and big Golden Trevally available. The early winter period provides big Snapper, big Longtail Tuna and Spanish Mackerel available on fly.
As the water temperatures warm up into Spring, the surface action starts to increase with the arrival of huge numbers of baitfish over the flats. Not far behind, juvenile Black Marlin make their appearance and provide one of the few opportunities in the world where they can be spotted in less than six feet of water.
Tailing Golden and Brassy Trevally, Long Tail and Big Eye Tuna, Threadfin Salmon and Mackerel can all be targeted at this time, providing an outstanding variety of species for fly fishing. And when you are being shadowed by the world heritage listed Fraser Island around these waters, you realise that you are fishing in a very special place.
As per all Fly Odyssey bookings, we will provide you with a comprehensive and detailed pre-trip fly fishing guide prior to departure.
There are short fifty-minute domestic flights departing Brisbane daily late afternoon or early evening.
For Three-Day City Escapes, late afternoon flights from Melbourne or Sydney will see you arrive in Hervey Bay the same evening and have you on the water the following morning.
Let us do the groundwork for you.
Our tailored fly fishing and accommodation itineraries are designed with you in mind to suit your preferences. They are also quoted in your local currency with very favourable exchange rates.
This includes flight bookings, transit accommodation, transfers and a host of non-angling activities and experiences.
We specialise in family, couples and group says to the region, and our long involvement with our partners on the ground will ensure you are well looked after both on and off the water.
This includes extended stays from the Whitsundays in the north to Byron Bay in the south or time in Noosa, Gold Coast or Brisbane regions.
CONTACT OUR AUSTRALIAN OFFICE
- M: +61 (0)499 900816
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CONTACT OUR UK OFFICE
- M: +44 (0)7936 708305
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Creating and sharing memorable travel experiences with our clients and friends provides us with genuine satisfaction. All of our trips are bespoke, tailored to your needs and we always love hearing all about the adventure on your return.
Our knowledge of travel logistics saves you time, and our highly experienced team is here to ensure its spent on the water and not at the desk or on a long flight connection that you didn’t require. Since 2006 we have developed a valued client-base that has travelled to all corners of the globe.
We are a fully-accredited travel agency, where all of our flights, accommodation and associated travel bookings are done in-house, which means that you pay less. We have access to a huge range of specials, deals, great volume pricing and excellent currency exchange rates which allows us to pass these benefits directly onto you.
On the fishing front, our extensive expertise and experience around prime seasons, species, moon-phases, tides and personalised customer service is centred around one principal – preparation. This includes detailed gear and equipment lists, the fly patterns, transfer details, up-to date fishing reports and some of the finer aspects that can often be overlooked.
We travel extensively and understand that your free-time is important. Just as we all understand from experience, that the key to a successful trip is pre-trip preparation.
Our highly experienced team has fly fished the world for the last 25 years, and we understand the considerations and gear needed to turn a good fly fishing trip into a great one.
Fly fishing and travel is our passion. It’s all we do.