Giant Black Marlin Fishing
Heavy Tackle - Sept. to Dec.
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 giant marlin location in the world, and if you are a serious big game angler, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.
The reality is that Cairns is by far the best place in the world to catch a grander. There are more 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.
Cooktown is a favoured port to depart from throughout 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 Ross and his crew will meet you at the airstrip on arrival and transfer you directly to the boat.
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.
The 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.
Charter Options :
LIVEABOARD: The Top Shot is ideally set up for accommodating in comfort maximum 3 anglers and crew on an extended liveaboard charter.
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, and linens are provided on a liveaboard charter. Anglers need only bring soft overnight bags with personal belongings.
MOTHERSHIPS: The Ultimate Fishing Experience!!! 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.
Cocktails on the back deck with sunset views after a days fishing action, chef prepared meals featuring local seafood and the stability that the motherships provide in stateroom accommodations for a great night’s sleep is what mothershipping is all about.
Career Highlights
- 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
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