GAME FISHING – CHARTER OPTIONS

This is unquestionably the best Grander Marlin location in the world, and if you are a serious big game angler, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. There are more Black Marlin caught or tagged on the GBR than in the rest of the world combined and in a hot fishing week you can encounter a bite a day from an 800lb PLUS fish. The fishery here is predominantly a bait fishery with usually two to three rods at one time trolled from the outriggers and up to 4 rods trolled using lures. Favourite baits include scad (Cairns No.1 swimming bait), mack tuna, scaley mackerel, Spanish mackerel, yellowfin tuna, queenfish and rainbow runners.

Charter Options: Minimum 3 to 4 day overnight charters throughout the peak giant black marlin season (mid Sept / Oct / Nov / mid Dec) with day charters from Cairns available in early to mid September and early to mid December.

“Liveaboard Charters” – ideal for up to 3 to 4 anglers fishing a multiple day charter, where you overnight onboard behind the reef (close to the fishing grounds) after the day’s fishing with comfortable airconditioned accommodation and all meals provided.

“Mothership Charters” – The Ultimate Fishing Experience!! Privately chartering a mothership and game boat together, will allow your fishing party an exceptionally high standard of comfort and luxury on their fishing adventure. Positioned only minutes away from the fishing grounds, the motherships enable the game boat to follow the fishing readily along the 150 mile stretch of productive water, with the comforts and services likened to that of a 4 or 5 star hotel. Cocktails on the back deck with sunset views after a days fishing action, chef prepared meals featuring local seafood along with the stability that the motherships provide in luxury stateroom accommodations is really what mothershipping is all about.

Minimum 4 day charters are recommended in order to maximise your fishing time and many anglers will charter 7-14 days in search of that fish of a lifetime!

Bookings: The marlin seasons are always in high demand with many return clients booking 12 to 18 months in advance. Allow yourself plenty of time to make charter arrangements and note that a deposit will be required to secure your fishing time along with a signed “Charter Agreement”. Ross’s season is usually made up of a selection of anglers that come back to fish the Great Barrier Reef each year with him and of new charters that are here to fish that “once in a lifetime experience”.

For fishing out of Cairns , you can't go past booking a charter with BILLFISH SPORT FISHING.  Owned and operated by Rick and Margie Eustace since 1999 they offer adrenalin fishing with a mix of fun, comfort and very user friendly for the experienced angler, the novice angler, kids, family groups or just a bunch of mates. Our charters are designed to suit the anglers, whether you only have time for a single day charter or maybe you would like to get a group together and make a holiday of it, you can join our crew on an extended live aboard charter with a mix of fishing, swimming and fun.  So what are you waiting for, contact us for more information and let us help you get THE CATCH OF THE DAY

We can sleep 5 persons in comfort, plus crew.  A double cabin up front which can be converted to a twin, two more bunks opposite a large bathroom featuring a toilet, basin and shower and there are two bunks in the saloon area.

Heavy Tackle charters:

If it has been on your bucket list to catch a GIANT BLACK MARLIN, then read on: We take a maximum of 4 anglers on our live aboard heavy tackle charters, depart Cairns Marina at 8:00 am and steam out to the outer reef.  We start the day with some light tackle fishing for fresh bait for the day and fresh fish for dinner, then set the big gear up to target GIANT BLACK MARLIN.  It will depend on the number of days booked as to how far we travel up the to the Ribbons Reefs.  Just like the Light Tackle extended charters we anchor behind a safe reef at night and enjoy entertainment, yummy meals and a few drinks and in the morning have a swim and snorkel before setting off for the next days fishing adventures

Light Tackle charters:

Depart Cairns 8:00am and steam out to our first destination Fish Light tackle 15kg line trolling for palagic species in season such as Spanish Mackerel, Tuna, Sailfish, juvenile Black Marlin, Baracuda, Wahoo and more. Anchor overnight at a safe reef ancorage, enjoy yummy meals, a few drinks and many stories and in the morning have a swim / snorkel before heading out for another days exciting fishing,

Black Marlin peak season runs from September through to end December and this is generally the best time to come and experience the very best in Australian Game Fishing in Cairns.

These marine giants congregate along the seaward edge of the Great Barrier Reef, and along the 150 NM edge of the continental shelf and from Lizard Island and the Ribbon Reefs to the north, to south of Cairns. This is what makes our region so desirable with the reliability of their return each season. Many years of tag and release fishing and use of circle hooks by the Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association has ensured this area remains the most sustainable fishery for the Giant Black Marlin in the world. There are many Huge Marlin caught and released every season. Last year over half the fish we caught were over 900lbs!!!!!

Also on Moana III, experience Great Barrier Reef Fishing, deep sea fishing and exhilarating light tackle sports fishing, with the thrill of catching the stunning juvenile Black Marlin, Sailfish, Spanish Mackerel, Giant Trevally, Yellow and Blue Fin Tuna, Dog Tooth Tuna, Wahoo, Cobia, Mahi Mahi and many other varieties. These fish all roam the waters on edge of the magnificant Great Barrier Reef, just an hour out from the Cairns Marlin Marina. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest fish attracting device on the globe with a varietiy of excellent fighting fish to catch. Reef Fishing for Coral Trout, Nannygai, Red Emperor, Job-fish and many others are also a perfect way to enjoy a memorable fresh fish meal. The Juvenile Black Marlin, roam areas less than one hour from Cairns. These fish range in size from 20lbs to 120lbs and are prime fun light tackle sportsfishing. The cobalt waters off Cairns are world renowned for its action and variety of pelagic sports fish and our trips visit different parts of the reef depending on where the fish are biting!

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With a top speed of 30 knots and cruise speed of 22 knots, she is known for her excellent sea handling capabilities. Providing a dry, stable ride, she sets a benchmark for craft in her class. A fine fishing platform, with a wide, spacious, uncluttered cockpit area allowing ample room for anglers and deckhands.

Electronic fit out is extensive and includes 2 radios, radar and 2 navigation systems for pin point accuracy on fishing grounds. Twin Furuno sounders with dual frequency and sea temperature sensors provide state of the art fish-finding capability.

The air conditioned cabin and saloon plan, affords anglers indoor comfort. A complete view from the saloon invites instant response to any action in the cockpit.

Accommodation forward is four V berths with the lower V forming a double berth, when necessary. The forward cabin also includes an additional double berth and single berth. The saloon has table and surround lounge seating on the port side with another lounge on the starboard side. Separate toilet and shower are housed in the cabin.

Three freezers and two large fridges provide excellent refrigeration capabilities. Full galley, water maker, hot and cold water, micro wave, T.V. video, hi-fi radio and CD player are all present for client comfort and satisfaction

Day Charter from $2,600  1-6 pax. Extended Charter   P.O.A.   1-4 pax.

We are extremely privileged, as there are more 1000LB+ Giant Black Marlin caught in our fishery during our short season than every other Giant Black Marlin fishery in the world combined for the entire year.

Our 40′ custom built game boat, Black Magic, is available for day charters ex our home base of Port Douglas. Outfitted with the very best in custom made rods, Shimano & Penn reels, Black Magic is a great platform to spend a day sport fishing out on the Great Barrier Reef.

We can tailor-make a sport fishing experience on-board Black Magic to meet any group’s requirements, whether it’s fishing with friends, colleagues or family.

Day charters cater to a maximum of six guests with a four-guest maximum for extended charters.

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HEAVY TACKLE CHARTERS

Fishing for Giant Black Marlin is the ultimate experience of a lifetime. Saltaire is a classic 34ft blue water quarter-horse vessel and has witnessed some of the most exciting fishing to be experienced on the Great Barrier Reef, the coral sea and beyond to the vast reaches of the untamed waters of Papua New Guinea. Based in the Reef Marina Port Douglas, 30nm north of Cairns and a short run to the barrier reef , Saltaire is available for popper casting for Giant Trevally, light tackle, heavy tackle, reef fishing and personalised charters including cruising, snorkelling and diving. With comfort, speed and great service on your side you will be amongst the serious action on offer whether it will be giant Black Marlin, pelagic species, Giant Trevally or classic reef fish.

LIGHT TACKLE FISHING

Available all year round, the change of seasons brings different species to target. The run of juvenile black marlin are from july to october and are an exciting catch on 10kg line. There is a number of mackerel species to catch and can be caught most of the year. Other species are northern bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi mahi & giant trevally.

REEF FISHING CHARTERS

Reef fishing can be experienced all year round with a large variety of species. Rod and reel or the more traditional hand line can be used with dead bait, live bait or soft plastics when on a Reef Fishing Charter. The main species we target are coral trout, large and small mouth nanyagai, red emperor, spangled emperor, sweetlip, reef jacks & trevally.

GT POPPER CHARTERS

Casting Poppers for Giant Trevally is one of the most exciting forms of fishing. Watching a GT smash a surface bait and head straight for the reef edge or bommie can make you week at the knees. We specialize in targeting these big GT’s and use Shimano Stella 18000 Reels with 100lb gerry brown braid on a Yamaga blue reef rod to land these amazing fish.

Dragon Lady offer Game, Reef and Sports Fishing Charter Options

Fishing from Port Douglas is very popular due to its closeness to Australia’s top fishing destinations on the Great Barrier Reef.

Depending on the conditions we normally travel 20-25 miles to the expansive outer reef systems on our reef fishing expeditions. Game fishing charters can see us travelling up to 30 plus miles to fish the open grounds of the continental shelf. Travelling time to our chosen destination can vary from 50 minutes to 80 minutes.

Your day includes a light tropical lunch and refreshments. Alcohol is BYO.

With over 35 years local fishing experience, Skipper Steve Adamson and friendly crew aim to provide you with a fun filled day on the Great Barrier Reef.

Private Charters

Reef Sole Charter: from $2200 (all year round)

• 34ft Vessel – max. 8 passengers Reef Fishing, Game Fishing, Snorkeling & Diving, Sand Cays & Island Lagoon visits
• 48ft Vessel – max. 17 passengers Reef Fishing, Snorkeling & Diving, Sand Cays & Island Lagoon visits

Game Fishing – 34ft Vessel

• Light Tackle or Popper Fishing Charter $2200 (all year round)
• Shark Fishing $2200 (all year round)
• Heavy Tackle Charter $2400 (September to December)

As a private charter a combination of reef and light tackle is available as well as tailor made snorkeling, diving and island / sand cay visits.

All private Reef, Light tackle, Popper, Shark Fishing and Snorkeling trips run from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Heavy Tackle Game Fishing Charters run from 8.30am to approximately 6pm. The service is inclusive of fishing tackle, lunches, soft beverage, snorkeling gear & EMC tax – no more to pay.

When do we fish the Ribbon Reefs?

The Ribbon Reefs provide excellent year round fishing, and we access the area as part of our Coral Sea Lagoon Explorer trips , offering 3 and 4 day packages, starting at $3100/person + flights ex Cairns.

Nomad Sportfishing Extended Mothership Charters start at $2950pp + transfers ex Cairns. We can customise dates for whole boat bookings, or we cater for individuals or smaller groups to join one of our scheduled trips. Odyssey can accommodate up to 12 anglers. Nomad Gameboat day trips ex Port Douglas start at $2400/day for the boat which can be shared between 4-5 anglers. Just fill in our enquiry form and we’ll get you on the water in no time.

The Iconic Far northern Great Barrier Reef – A Sportfishing Paradise