Haughton River Fishing Spots

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Haughton River

3.7/5 - (7 votes)
19°25'38.98" S, 147°7'4.16" E

The Haughton River is a large river system and The Haughton floodplain contains one of the greatest concentrations of wetland habitat in the entire catchment area. The Haughton system is listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia, and as part of Bowling Green Bay National Park.

Located approximately 50mins from Townville the Haughton River attracts many anglers and offers a variety of fishing.

The mouth of the river on the South Eastern side provides great flats fishing for Whiting and Flathead. The flat along the beach near Cungulla can fire up with lots of bait, birds and Queenfish, where poppers and shallow diving lures are a good choice.

A little upstream the Haughton has awesome run off fishing during the wet season, with many drains and tributaries. Barramundi are the main catch here, casting lures into the run off and working them erratically out into the main river always produces.

For the rest of the year these same drains and inlets can produce fish during the outgoing tide as bait fish are washed out. Trolling passed the drains is also a good tactic to produce Barramundi.

The deeper drop offs at the edge of the sand bars also hold schools of Grunter and can be effectively worked with soft plastics.

The mouth of Burrumbush Creek that enters into the Haughton River has some really great snags that hold good sized Mangrove Jack, Barramundi and Bream.

North of Cromarty Creek boat ramp is a rock bar that should be work on the turn of the tide with soft plastics or TheadyBuster’s for Barramundi and Fingermark.

The best time to fish is a few hours either side of low tide, the change in tide can really turn on the fish. Anglers should look for large snags that break the flow of the current, casting behind these snags and working the lure past them is the best practice.

Where to go fishing near Haughton River?

  • Haughton River Flats

    Queenfish, Trevally and Bream can really fire on up these flats.

  • Haughton River Flats

    Flathead & Whiting on flats.

  • Barrumbush Creek

    The mouth of the creek has great snags that hold Barramundi, Mangrove Jack and Bream.

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Plus, where, when and how to fish every spot!

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Access to Haughton River

Access to Haughton River is possible in 3 locations. Two of the boat ramps are in the small township of Cungulla. The first ramp in Cungulla is clearly sign and easy to get to, however it can only be used from mid tide and only suitable for small boats.

The second ramp at Cungulla is of much more interest as it provides quick access to the Haughton River mouth. The small feeder creek for the boat launch is south of Cungulla and accessed via a beach track, a 4x4 is necessary. The small feeder creek is shallow however small tinnies have no trouble in a 0.9m tide and higher.

The main ramp for the Haughton River is Cromarty Creek ramp, boats are launched where Cromarty Creek meets the Haughton River. Easy to find, from Townsville turn left a Giru and drive through the Giru township and follow the signs over the railway to the boat ramp.

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Tide Times Haughton River

Cungulla (1.8km)
Friday 29 Mar 2024

Low - 3:59AM
1.71M
High - 9:52AM
2.41M
Low - 4:05PM
1.21M
High - 11:11PM
2.54M

Recommended Lures for Haughton River

Click here to find the best lures for fishing Haughton River. 5 stars mean this lure has been hand picked for Haughton River.

Killalure Flatz Ratz 2

Flatz Ratz – Killalure

$12.99
Suited for the Area.
Good for: Barramundi, Black Spotted Rockcod, Mangrove Jack

Lucky Craft Sammy 65

Suited for some Fish Species.
Good for: Bream

Laser Pro 120

$12.00
Suited for some Fish Species.
Good for: Barramundi
Reidy's Lures - Little Lucifer Hellraiser

Little Lucifer Hellraiser – Reidy’s Lures

Suited for some Fish Species.
Good for: Barramundi, Cod, Salmon, Threadfin Salmon

Junior B52

Suited for some Fish Species.
Good for: Barramundi

Zman 9” GrubZ Big Guibz

$10.49
Suited for some Fish Species.
Good for: Barramundi, Black Spotted Rockcod, Cod

Skippy Surface Lure

$13.49
Suited for some Fish Species.
Good for: Yellowfin Bream

Squidgies Pro Wriggler – 80mm

$9.99
Suited for some Fish Species.
Good for: Yellowfin Bream
Squidgies Pro Wriggler - 100mm - Bloodworm

Pro Wriggler – 100mm

$9.95
Suited for some Fish Species.
Good for: Barramundi, Black Spotted Rockcod, Bream, Flathead, Golden Snapper / Fingermark, Mangrove Jack, Queenfish, Trevally

Squidgies Slick Rig 130mm

$9.99
Suited for some Fish Species.
Good for: Barramundi

Twisty 55g

Suited for some Fish Species.
Jackall Squirell 79 hank tuned

Jackall DD Squirrel 79SP Silent ‘Hank Tuned’

Suited for some Fish Species.
Good for: Barramundi, Black Spotted Rockcod, Mangrove Jack

Squidgies Pro Lobby

$9.99
Suited for some Fish Species.
Good for: Bream, Yellowfin Bream

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2 Comments on “Haughton River” fishing

  • Adrien Trindle

    says:

    Can you retrieve boat on a .01mtr tide from ramp at guru

  • Terry Norring

    says:

    I ama canadian visiting Australia and plan on being in the Haughton river area around December 7th. I would love a days fishing on the river. I am traveling with a motorhome and have no gear. If anyone can recommend a guide for ta day I would appreciate it.
    Text 0493900336
    Cheers
    Terry

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