reef fishing in cairns and the tropical north queensland region
- Estuary Fishing
- All Tackle Sportsfishing
- Blackout Sportsfishing
- Cairns Calm Water Fishing
- Cairns Estuary Lure Charters
- Catch a Crab
- Fish Tales Charters
- Fishing the Tropics
- Great Day Fishing & Crabbing Tours
- Paradise Sportsfishing Adventure
- Fly Fishing
- Light Tackle Fishing
- Billfish Sports Fishing
- Blackout Sportsfishing
- Dragon Lady
- Fifth Dimension
- MV Joe Joe
- Paradise Sportsfishing Adventure
- Phantom
- Top Shot
- Wee Jock
- Wild Turkey
- Marlin Fishing
- Billfish Sports Fishing
- Dragon Lady
- Fifth Dimension
- MV Joe Joe
- Phantom
- Top Shot
- Wee Jock
- Wild Turkey
- Reef Fishing
Reef or bottom fishing is to fish for species living or found at the deepest part of the reef (on the bottom). These species consist of Coral Tout, Sweetlip, Red Emperor, Cod, Emperor and Large or Small Mouth Nanni Gai, Red Throat Sweetlip and Spangled Emperor. The rigs most commonly used for reef or bottom fishing comprise of a handheld line "handline" of 60-80 pounds breaking point with a large bean sinker of around 4-8 ounces which can slide on the line. Either one or two hooks can then be attached, above or below the sinker. Hook sizes vary from 6/0 to 9/0, with preference generally being 8/0. The most popular bait for reef fishing are fish baits such as mullet or pilchard and squid. You can book on a share charter or your own personal sole charter.
Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
John Hangodi and Paradise Sport fishing Adventures offer calm water fishing charters 7 days a week. Private family owned and operated business fishing from the largest, most modern estuary boat at 7.3m custom made boat powered by a 130hp four stroke Honda one of the very few boats with a toilet on board. John covers the inlet with speed and in comfort.
Your guide Canadian Born John Hangodi has 25 years of international guiding experience, including 15 years as a partner at the world famous Knight Inlet salmon lodge in B.C. Canada. I can assure you the day is not only filled with excellent fishing but there are many many interesting stories to be heard continue...
Top Shot
Top Shot is a 43 foot O’Brien fly bridge cruiser, powered by twin 450hp C series Cummins diesel engines.
With a top speed of 30 knots and cruise speed of 22 knots, she is well known for excellent sea handling capabilities and with a dry and stable ride, she sets a benchmark for craft in her class. She is a fine fishing platform, with a wide, spacious and uncluttered Cockpit area allowing ample swing room for anglers, game chair and deckhand’s access to tag pole and wire.
The Top Shot is very responsive to throttle and rudder adjustments, she is superior in her ability to maneuver on fish big and small continue...
Dragon Lady
Dragon Lady is a 34ft Cairns Custom Craft, one of a few game fishing boats in the Port Douglas region specifically designed to cater for everyone’s needs, whether it be heavy tackle, light tackle or reef fishing. Catering for a maximum of eight people ensures ample room on the aft deck. continue...
Phantom
Welcome aboard Phantom a luxury private charter cruiser based in Port Douglas.
Luxury yachting in stylish surrounds is perfect in the tropical waters of North Queensland — idyllic coral cays, palm fringed secluded islands, the Great Barrier Reef with clear blue seas and abundant marine life.
Phantom offers a variety of charter options to suit clients requests, activities and time frame.
- Relax with a 2hr sunset cruise
- A half day Low Isles island beach escape
- Full day adventure on the Outer Barrier Reef — snorkel, scuba dive or try your hand at fishing.
- Or indulge yourself in a weekend (or longer) live aboard
Our Executive Chef provides gourmet cuisine for all charter options.
Phantom is ideal for couples, honeymoons, corporate entertaining, weddings and the whole family.
Indulge yourself in Phantom.
Fishing the Tropics
Fishing the Tropics offers guided River, Reef & Estuary Charters in the Cairns area. Full & half-day tours available on share or private charters.Tours available to suit anglers of all ages & abilities from novice to very experienced. Local owner & operator with quality tackle provided on all tours.
Our locally built "Reef Runner 1" offers a fast and comfortable ride to inshore blue water reefs and wrecks. We use the latest high quality Shimano & Penn Reef Fishing outfits for an array of light tackle sports fishing including trolling, live-baiting, bottom fishing and high speed jigging. We target a huge range of species including various Mackerel and Trevally species, Nannygai, Coral Trout, Red Emperor and Tuna.
The boat features full-shade canopy, padded seating, huge esky, toilet, stereo, killtanks, live-bait tanks and the latest electronic equipment. Your full-day Cairns Reef Fishing tour includes: morning tea, lunch, reef tax and all bait and tackle. For maximum enjoyment and personalised service, we limit the number of passengers on your Cairns Fishing tour to six, with two crew at all times on hand for reef fishing.
Our top guide will give you the benefit of his many years of local Cairns Reef fishing experience for a unique fishing adventure and a day you'll never forget.
Cairns Reef Fishing Tours depart from Cairns Marlin Marina at 7.00 am and return approximately 4.00 pm.
Billfish Sports Fishing
43ft luxury game boat with friendly and experienced crew. We cater for all levels of experience from novice to the seasoned angler.
| FISHING SEASONS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Light Tackle | January to August | Spanish Mackerel, Tuna, Trevalley, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo and more — share & sole charters available |
| Heavy Tackle | September to December | Giant Black Marlin — sole charters only |
| Popper Casting | January to March | Giant Trevalley — sole charters only |
Swim days and specialised charters available on application.
“Experience the thrill, Experience the fun, let us get you the catch of the day”.
Fifth Dimension
Fifth Dimension is a versatile, high speed, luxury vessel specialising in heavy tackle, light tackle, bottom fishing, diving and snorkelling.
The vessel sleeps up to 8 passengers in two ensuite staterooms and two double bunk cabins that share a bathroom. With a roving permit, we offer both day charters and extended charters throughout the Great Barrier Reef.
MV Joe Joe
The ultimate luxury cruise on Australia's east coast and Great Barrier Reef — your itinerary may incorporate magical locations such as the Whitsunday Islands, Port Douglas and Lizard Island.
Cruise and snorkel pristine locations, dive on the outer edge or take a big game fishing adventure, Joe Joe and her staff will provide you with a memory of total indulgence and luxury.
Wild Turkey Marlin Charter
Wild Turkey is a 35 foot Custom made Luxury Sport Fishing Vessel for Charter. Specialising in Reef & Game Fishing for private small group charters. Fishing styles include: Heavy Tackle for Giant Black Marlin Light Tackle for Sailfish, Wahoo, Dolphin Fish Based at Yorkeys Knob but working the ports of Cairns, Port Douglas, Cooktown, Lizard Island
Enjoy the thrill of fishing in the Tropics of North Queensland on the Great Barrier Reef aboard our 35 foot Custom made Luxury Sport Fishing Vessel WILD TURKEY.
Enjoy the thrill of Heavy Tackle Fishing for the Beautiful Giant Black Marlin in the pristine fishing grounds north of Cairns. Departures are from Yorkeys Knob, Cooktown or Lizard Island — dependant on bookings.
This is the thrill of a life time at the perfect time of the year Sept, Oct, Nov & Dec.
Blackout Sportsfishing
Blackout Sportsfishing is a locally owned and operated business. Fishing Guide Kerry Bailey has worked in the fishing industry for many years with a variety of charter companies. Kerry has gained an extensive knowledge of local inshore river systems and offshore reef and wreck locations. Three years ago Kerry decided to bite the bullet and start his own venture he launched a beautifully fitted out Badjcraft Custom Aluminum; powered by an 115hp 4 stroke Johnson outboard. He can certainly get out to the reef and back again with speed, comfort and reliability.
Kerry specialises in Reef, River and Estuary fishing including Deepwater Bait Fishing, Wreck Bumper Barring, Jigging, Light Game Fishing, Pelagic Trolling, Lure Casting, and Live Baiting.
Kerry provides a personalised service with a maximum of 3 people going out to the Reef and 4 people to the river this makes your day a lot more comfortable with plenty of room to aim for the BIG ONE'S. He also caters for Sole Charters for an Individual or Group Booking that enables you to fish when, where and for whatever you desire.
Kerry accommodates several forms of fishing within the one charter for example Reef to River and Estuary to Reef. Some of the local North Tropical Species you can expect to catch are Red and Spangled Emperor, Coral Trout, Nanigi's, Sweetlip and Fingermark. Light Tackle fish for Spanish mackerel, Cobia, Sailfish and Giant Trevally. Fish in Tropical rivers and pristine rainforest locations like the Daintree River, Russell, Mulgrave and Johnson Rivers target our local Sportfish the most notorious Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, Fingermark, Queenfish, and a variety of different species of trevally, (just to name a few).
A courtesy pick up and drop from Cairns is included in a new air conditioned 4x4. Lunch is supplied including light Refreshments and Sunscreen. All you need to remember is your hat and sun glasses.
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