Giant Black Marlin Fishing
Giant Black Marlin Capital of the World!
Heavy Tackle Game Fishing – September to December
From September through to December, the largest black marlin in the world - many of them "granders" of over a thousand pounds, migrate to the 150 mile stretch of the Great Barrier Reef between the North Eastern coastal city of Cairns and the exclusive five star resort of Lizard Island. 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.
Over the years we’ve discovered that generally the best fishing comes in the afternoon from 2.00 pm onwards (not always a hard and fast rule) and most boats fish until as late as 6.30 pm, depending on the location and the degree of difficulty getting back into the anchorage.
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.
These baits can be as large as 15kg (30lbs) though preferred size being 8 to 12 lb for the skip baits and 1 to 5lb for the swimming scads.
My crew rig these baits on circle hooks which are trolled just under and on the surface at a speeds varying between 5 to 6 knots.They utilise short drop backs knowing that these always give the best percentage of mouth-hooked fish. Circle hooks have come into vogue over the last few years and we’ve found that they provide excellent results with fish released in great condition.
Cooktown (small fishing village located 250kms north of Cairns) is a favoured port to depart from throughout the early to mid part of the marlin season as it positions the boats closest to the middle section of the Ribbon Reefs and is a convenient location to restore and refuel. It is a short, scenic charter flight from Cairns to Cooktown (approx 45 mins) and myself and crew will meet you at the airstrip on arrival and transfer you directly to the Top Shot.
The marlin generally tend to move down the Ribbons Reefs throughout the marlin season and often we find ourselves fishing directly out of Cairns through much of November and December. The decision of where to disembark from (Cairns or Cooktown) is usually not decided until much nearer to each charter departure.
Charter Options :
The two charter options that I offer throughout the marlin season for multiple day heavy tackle charters are either “Liveaboard” charters (overnighting on the Top Shot with accommodation and meals provided) or “Mothership” charters where my anglers charter a mothership in conjunction with the Top Shot, providing additional comfort and facilities at sea. Please see details following :
LIVEABOARD: The Top Shot is ideally set up for accommodating in comfort maximum 3-4 anglers and 3 crew on an extended liveaboard marlin charters.
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!
All meals, beverages (a selction of Australian beer, wine, softdrinks and bottled water), and linens are provided on a liveaboard charter. Anglers need only bring soft overnight bags with personal belongings. Meals consist of a variety of freshly caught fish, prawns, steaks, chicken, salads, continental breakfasts & tropical fruits.
> Please email for pricing & availability
MOTHERSHIPS: The Ultimate Fishing Experience!!! Pivately chartering a mothership and game fishing boat together, will allow the avid fishermen and their party an exceptionally high standard of comfort and luxury on their fishing adventure. Positioned only minutes away from the fishing grounds, the motherships enable us 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.
What to Bring :
Anglers need only bring their personal belongings on extended marlin charters in compact, soft travel bags where possible. We supply all fishing tackle & equipment, all linens including towels, all meals and beverages (Australian beer, Aus/NZ wines, softdrinks, sodas & bottled water). You are welcome to bring preferred alcohol including spirits, or let me know and I can arrange to have on board.
Recommend the following : Shorts, Tees, Long Sleeve Fishing Shirts, Deck Shoes, Polarised Sunglasses, Brimmed Hat, Sunscreen, Light Spray Jacket, Swimwear, Books, Favourite Music.
Getting Here:
Cairns is the International gateway to Tropical North Queensland, Australia. With a growing local population of approximately 100,000 it is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with warm, sunny tropical days tempered by cooling onshore breezes. There is a myriad of accommodation ranging from budget through to 5 star and a host of restaurants, eateries and shopping options. Recommended hotels close to the Marlin Marina (inner city) include the Shangri-la Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Reef Hotel Casino and the Pacific International Hotel. We can assist you with further details and information on accommodation if required.
There are international flights that arrive directly into Cairns daily or via Brisbane or Sydney. Your travel agent will best advise. It is recommended that you fly into Cairns at least 1 day prior to your fishing departure and fly out from Cairns at least 1 day after your final fishing day (or after midday the following day).
We can assist with all Cooktown transfer flights should they be required and on most occasions we arrange an early morning flight from Cairns to Cooktown on the morning of your fishing and on your final fishing day return to Cooktown early evening, where we arrange overnight accommodation in Cooktown for your early charter flight back to Cairns the following morning.
Bookings :
The marlin seasons are always in high demand with many of my return clients booking 18 months in advance each year. Allow yourself plenty of time if you can to make charter arrangements and note that a deposit will be required to secure your fishing time along with a signed “Charter Agreement”. My season is usually made up of a selection of anglers that come back to fish the season each year and of new charters that are here to fish that “once in a lifetime experience”.
> Please email for pricing & availability
Career Highlights
- 2009: Caught 70 marlin for the season and let go 1 fish est 1000lbs & numerous fish 700-900lb
- 2008: Caught 61 marlin for the season with 2 estimated 1000lbs +
- 2007 : Caught Black Marlin (1102lbs), with 2 others estimated 1000lbs +
- 2006 : Most Black Marlin Caught in Fleet (103) / Several est 1000lbs Plus
- 2005 : 2nd Most Black Marlin Caught in Fleet (98) / Several est 1000lbs Plus
- 2004 : Most Black Marlin Caught in Fleet (105) / Several est 1000lbs Plus
- 2002 : Only Grander Weighed for the Season (1177lbs)
- 2001 : Largest Black Marlin in World caught on Lure (1257lbs)
- 2000 : Winner Innisfail Light Tackle Tournament
- 1999 : Champion Angler: Lizard Island Tournament
Many thanks to Craig Smith for his selection of great shots throughout the site
Email Ross
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