Tropical North Queensland offers some of the best light tackle sportfishing opportunities on the globe. Be it rivers, lakes, estuaries or off-shore reefs, you can experience the thrill of chasing that elusive "big one" while surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforests or the magic of the Great Barrier Reef.

Visitors and locals alike are treated to some of the best natural scenery and fishing conditions, all within a few minutes of the heart of downtown Cairns.

While further afield are pristine rainforest rivers such as the mighty Daintree to the north, or the Russell and Mulgrave Rivers, North & South Johnson, Mourilyon Harbour, Tully & Murray River systems south of Cairns.

All calm water tours are designed with light tackle sportfishing in mind and encourage "catch and release", but there is no real problem with the avid angler taking a feed of fish home to enjoy. In fact it will even be cleaned for you, and few handy tips offered on the best method of cooking.

Join experienced guides aboard 6 metre custom built vessels featuring padded seating, full shade canopy, built-in ice box and live bait tank - the ideal calm water fishing platform.

So while you are in the Cairns region, don't miss out on the world's favourite pastime, dangle a line with a local guide, and you might just catch the fish of a lifetime.

Day Charters

Lure, fly or bait fishing our magnificent rainforest rivers and tidal estuaries can be very productive, sit back and relax for a while and take in the majestic mountain backdrops. Targets include barramundi, G.T., fingermark, grunter, mangrove jack, queenfish, salmon etc. in fact more than 20 other species call these waters home. Guided full and half day charters take you to the best calm water fishing spots in North Queensland.

• Calm Water Estuary Fishing: Only 5 minutes from the heart of the beautiful city of Cairns and you will be treated to some of the best natural scenery and fishing conditions available in Tropical North Queensland. Imagine fishing the upper reaches of the Trinity Inlet (Cairns Harbour) surrounded by lush greenery, rainforest clad mountains, and one of the worlds most diverse and productive ecosystems.

• Calm Water River Fishing: Within an hour and a half drive from the city of Cairns flows some of the finest tropical waterways to be found anywhere in the world. These rivers rise in the Northern Great Dividing Range and flow majestically through ancient rainforest up to 125 million years old. Our skilled guides will take you to some of the best fishing locations in the Wet Tropics coastal lowlands where the estuarine crocodile - the last remaining dinosaur - can be readily viewed.

  

• Estuary Lure & Fly Fishing: For the more experienced (or keen at heart) lure and fly fishing in our magnificent jungle clad rivers and mangrove lined estuaries is the way to go. These sole charter options are tailor made to suit your angling skills and target species. With the assistance of our experienced guides, you will be taken to the best fishing locations in Tropical North Queensland. Extended charters and remote locations available. See our Fly Fishing section for more info.

• Fresh Water Lure & Fly Fishing: Many keen lure & fly fishing enthusiasts come to the Cairns region with the expectation of landing Australia's premier light tackle sport fish, the highly prized barramundi, or a trevally (GT or golden), a jack, a queenfish or even a salmon - and most will target these species in our magnificent World Heritage listed tropical tidal rivers and estuaries. Nothing wrong with that, but what should not be overlooked however, is the spectacular light tackle (3-6kg spinning or #6/7 fly) fishing available in the upper reaches or these fresh water rivers & streams.

• Raft Fishing - (Coming Soon): An exciting new option "Raft Fishing" - experience some sweet water angling in rarely fished zones high up our majestic rivers, hold on though!

  

• Lake Tinaroo: If you want monster freshwater barra, the only place to go is Lake Tinaroo on the Atherton Tablelands, just 1.5 hours west of Cairns. Join us for a day (or 2) for some excellent sportfishing. Click here for a Tinaroo trip report.

• Fishing & Crabbing Tour: Trinity Inlet is also home to the famous north Queensland Mud Crab. A trip aboard Great Day offers visitors the thrill of hauling in the famous live Mud Crabs and hard-fighting tropical fish lurking in the calm waters of Trinity Inlet.

Extended Charters

Our region boasts some of the last remaining true wilderness fishing opportunities in Oz. You will be absolutely amazed at the clarity of the waters, the wilderness experience and the diversity of life with its uninhabited islands, wilderness coastline and pristine rivers - chasing barramundi, mangrove jack, queenfish, trevally, salmon, mackerel and tuna like you've never seen before.

Regions like the Hinchinbrook Channel, Princess Charlotte Bay, Seisia, the Torres Straits and Weipa are special and the quality of the fishing outstanding. Options include share and sole charter, live aboard or land based.

• Hinchinbrook Channel: 3 days of fishing against the majestic backdrop of Hinchinbrook Island is spectacular enough, but to be able to target good quality sportfish including barramundi, mangrove jacks, trevally, queenfish, salmon, fingermark, grunter, cod.. !!!! (Number of days can be amended)

• Tully Rainforest Rivers: This 3 days and 2 nights packages takes you to the Tully river, a magnificent freshwater system 150kms south of Cairns with perfectly clear fast flowing sections entwined with numerous deep slower flowing pools lined by tropical rainforest or open fields. (Number of days can be amended).

  

• Heli-Fishing Safaris: 3 and 5 day helicopter safaris that take you deep into Cape York for the experience of a lifetime. Jungle streams, isolated beaches, remote mangrove lined estuaries and the thrill of tackling BIG barra. This is real fishing, and the adventure of a lifetime. (One day charters available).

• Lake Tinaroo: If you want monster freshwater barra, the only place to go is Lake Tinaroo on the Atherton Tablelands, just 1.5 hours west of Cairns. Join us for a day (or 2) for some excellent sportfishing.

Please contact us if you would like some help in arranging a charter or an 'Up North' fishing holiday.