FAQ

What does it cost?

the whole family for less than $100 is the best option if cost is your concern
we do offer half year memberships at Christmas time

• junior (less than 16) $10 /y

• senior (16 and above) $60 /y

• family (all at the same address) $93 /y

What are the benefits of joining the Keppel Bay Sportfishing Club?

Joining the Keppel Bay Sportfishing Club is the best way to fast-track your success on the water and connect with the most passionate fishing community in Yeppoon. Whether you are a weekend hobbyist or a dedicated sportfisherman, our members enjoy exclusive access to:

• ANSA QLD Affiliation: Your membership includes affiliation with the Australian National Sportfishing Association. This gives you access to state and national record claims, specialized tagging programs, and a centralized digital logbook for all your captures.

• Exclusive Events & Tournaments: Participate in our 12 monthly club outings and signature events like the Corio Bay Classic. These competitions are designed for all skill levels, from "Small Fry" juniors to seasoned offshore veterans.

• Comprehensive Insurance Cover: Rest easy knowing that all members are covered by personal injury insurance while participating in sanctioned club trips and activities.

• Local Knowledge & Mentorship: Don't waste time at empty spots. Our members share "live" intelligence on what's biting in Keppel Bay, the Fitzroy River, and the Capricorn Coast. It’s also the perfect place to find a "deckie" or a boat to head out on.

• Sustainable Fishing Education: We are leaders in sportfishing ethics, teaching the best practices for catch-and-release, fish handling, and habitat conservation to ensure our local waters stay productive for generations.

• Family-Friendly Socials: Beyond the boat ramp, we host family away-trips, BBQ weigh-ins, and social nights where you can swap stories and learn new rigging techniques in a relaxed environment.

What is the best fishing club near me in Yeppoon? 

The Keppel Bay Sportfishing Club is the leading choice for anglers seeking a premier fishing community in the Yeppoon and Capricorn Coast region. As the local authority on fishing Keppel Bay and the surrounding islands, our club provides a unique blend of competitive sportfishing, family-friendly social events, and a commitment to sustainable fishing practices.

Whether you are looking for the best fishing club near you to improve your skills, participate in local tournaments, or simply share stories about the "big one" that got away, we offer an unmatched network of local knowledge. From the estuaries of Yeppoon to the deep waters of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, the Keppel Bay Sportfishing Club is where the region's most passionate fishermen and women call home.

Why anglers choose us:

• Local Expertise: Unrivalled knowledge of fishing Yeppoon and Keppel Bay waterways.

• Community & Events: Regular club outings, weigh-ins, and social gatherings for all ages.

• Affiliation: We are a proud, sanctioned club focused on the growth of sportfishing in Central Queensland.

Do I need a boat?

no you do not need a boat

there are plenty of land based options

but the best thing of being a club member you get to jump aboard members boats on trips

we are not charters but we do split costs

What do we do?

• promote the fishing in our area within Central Queensland

• sustainable fishing

  • Humane dispatching of our catch

  • tagging

  • releasing of fish

  • catching a feed

• keeping our waterways maintained for future generations to enjoy

• encourage future generations to enjoy our sport of choice

• Promote Safety on the water or the land

• participate in cleanup days

• participate in ecofriendly projects especially in the marine estuary environments

What we don't do?

• fund raising efforts for our club

• act as a Charter for people on holiday (there are great charter operators in our area that we totally support and some are members)

Where are we located?

We are based in Central Queensland and support our local fisheries from Yeppoon to Rockhampton and further west.
we do not have a club house
we meet at members houses or at a public venue

What style of fishing do we do?

as a club we do not discriminate fishing styles

• fly fishing

• lures

• bait

we are no longer a line class fishing club for our competitions.

Who Can Join?

Anyone can join.
We have a few rules
Juniors  (less than 16 Yrs) require an adult member in the club
As  junior you may need an adult to  drop you off and pick you up for fishing trips  this maybe at early times . eg 3am.

• a good suggestion is  bring your own life jacket that is fitted to your size

• know some basic knots

• bring your enthusiasm to learn
  
  

Where do I catch fish?

Typically fish live in  the water.
They tend to move around just like you and I do.
But at certain times  we get hungry and we navigate to where we can get something to eat
Fish are no different.
So all we need to do is work out when they are hungry (tide, moon, sun, wind, pressure) all affect these habits. But like us we can be tempted to  eat something even if we are not hungry. So presentation is key for those times when the fish is  not hungry (shutdown).

Just like you and I, fish do not want to chase their food so they will position themselves in current or eddies,  to not expend much energy but where the food is bought to them much like sitting in a restaurant and he waiter bring you your food.

So look for structure which holds the bait, the fish can be found usually on the leading pressure edge and sometimes on the leeward side.
In creeks this could look like a sandbank and a drop off. Fish will wait in ambush for the food to come over the top of the bank and fall into the hole.

Use your sounder maps to find contours for drop offs, rises or general structure. See if it holds bait on your next trip and sometimes revisit on different parts of the tide to see if things are different.
If your new to the area and want some well known starter marks
Yeppoon Fishing Marks

40 acre

23 08’985s 150 53’314e

This Reef system near Mial Island sweetlip, coral trout, mackerel, cobia 

Ross Reef

23 06’315s 150 53’121e

This Reef system near Sloping Island sweetlip, coral trout, mackerel, cobia 

Pinnacles

22 50’422s 150 56’600e

This Massive bommies that hold some great fish grunter, black jew, fingermark, coral trout, mackerel, trevally, cobia 

Flat Island

22 44’137s 151 00’110e

This Reef and a ledge that holds some great reef fish coral trout, nannygai, sweetlip, mackerel, cobia, trevally 

Perforated Island

22 39’336s 150 56’876e

This A bommie that produces great reef and pelagic action, coral trout, nannygai, snapper, mackerel, sweetlip. 

Liza Jane Shoal

23 18’341s 151 04’877e

This A shoal that has great potential. Search around for where the bait is holding mackerel, coral trout, sweetlip. 

Greasy Ally

23 02’869s 150 59’327e

This Normally jig bait here like yakka but it does hold some good fish at times. nannygai, mackerel, cobia, have landed a marlin when the bait is thick. 

Finlay's Reef

23 00’200s 150 49’800

This Finlay's Reef. Can hold Grunter, black jew, Mackerel, cobia and sometimes nannygai