Catching up in Cairns: giant black marlin season

With the writing of this report the fleet are mostly fishing south now towards Cairns. While it is a much smaller charter fleet than usual this year due to Covid’s effect on bookings via travel restrictions, there are many still fishing, as well as very keen private boat fleet including trailer boats who have been enjoying big fish in great weather. I’m posting more often on socials (FB & Insta) so please do follow there.

CPGFA “On The Edge” Doco filmmaker and ex-Cairns crewman Braden Byrne were on board trailer boat Top Dog for an awesome day on the water Friday ending with a 4 from 6 and most certainly TOP DOG with two of the fish, caught within an hour on a hot bite, in the extra large category including this one at top of the smaller of the two big ones at 900 and 950lbs that I shot from nearby.

On KEKOA we finished up a 6 day trip with the Sunshine Coast GFC gang Saturday on a high with three from three to make 10 for the trip including the last fish of the trip a nice big one for Brent that Luke put at 900lbs just before lines in at the end of the final day. She put on a great show from the bite to the big display at the back of the boat.

Top Water Sport Fishing/Black Ops Capt. Jason Legg reports a number of smaller models over recent days though a few more solid fish Sunday with 2-2-2 at 500 and 700lbs! (above) Another trailer boat report from the end of the month with Gina Cleaver’s Ofishal releasing a big black marlin that she and skipper Trent Killmore put at over 1000lbs. Fishing on their 19 foot trailer boat on their first day of the season Gina reports the fish only jumped four times in the entire 6hr fight hooking up at 2pm and releasing her at 8pm last night. And on 37kg standup as well! (above

Mini Marlins

I’ve shared these before but its a great time to re-share in time for Christmas for the marlin fraternity. Original hand drawn artwork by Emily, partner to Capt. Daniel Radcliffe who is at the helm of Zulu this year (and reports a 700lb-er for guests on board on Sunday!), the fabrics are UPF50+ and chlorine resistant fabrics as well as being lined for extra protection. Super soft and extremely durable with full back, front and arm coverage with high necks for extra sun protection. Order now online via the website: www.jaylaandjaxon.com

Outside of Cairns

Peter Jenyns reported blues at Fraser on the Riviera 52 Living The Dream with two blues, a 200lbs for owner Mike Bolton and his brother-in-law Steve Planck also got one at 300lbs.

And Nov 1st saw Lake Macquaries GFC’s Matt Smith and Claire Jones’ aboard their boat #okcaj with the first marlin of the season, a striped for Billy-jai Lawrence. Matt reports that unfavourable weather conditions early on made for a late start and lures in around 9am in 80fathoms off Norah Canyons after passing a distinct colour and temp break at 75fa. They had 21.5 degree water with great clarity and around 3knots of down hill current.