While the numbers slowed again for day 6 of the Lizard Island tournament there were several big fish caught in and out of the comp yesterday.

Absolute should maintain a narrow lead with 7 tags going into the final day but there are a couple of teams hot on their heels including Amokura and Little Audrey on 6 each (tentatively of course!) Only 12 tags among the 20 boats tournament fishing but Amokura with new dad Capt. Brett Goetze back at the wheel accounted for a big one that Brett put at 950lbs.

After a quiet couple of days, Hattitude also tagged a nice one they put at 700lbs.

Outside the comp some good fishing this time on the southern end of the reef with Capt. Damon Gruzdev, on the wheel of Reel Power fishing Opal Ridge releasing two nice big ones at 800 and 900lbs (photo top) with Jimbo Bladin on the leader. A reminder from Damon also that entries close in a couple of days for the Port Douglas Marlin Challenge so get in fast!  Great news for the tournament fleet with the fishing firing south!

I caught up with Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso yesterday who is picking away waiting for his turn at the next big one.  Tim says they are 6 for 4 days (and added 1 from 3 yesterday to make 7 for 5). He said their last trip  was a cracker with John and Jye Claydon and their mates. Lots of big fish and 37 bottles of spirits drunk for the week, new record on the mothership ;-)

Capt. Tim Richardson’s Tradition held out for the late bite and was rewarded with a double header, unfortunately the big one came off 50 foot from the boat but they tagged the smaller fish.

And Capt. Ashley Matthews on Reel Easy was back in port in Cooktown last night on changeover after 3 days on the reef with Nick and Andrew from the Hook Line & Sinker TV show.  Ash says they had a great trip releasing 2 from 2 first day both around 200-250lbs. Day 2 was a bit quieter with 3 bites missed/lost.  Day 3 the scene was set going two from two again around 200-250 again before the big girl piled on pulling the hooks on the leader on one Ash called 990lbs!

And last but never least, the Dreamin’ On crew have released their latest video installment, this time of Capt. Corey Hard’s Askari who have notched up an amazing 52 marlin in the last 14 days. Watch the clip below – some awesome editing skills from Jeff Choe!