Fishing The Tropics


Cairns, Tropical North Queensland offers some of the best light tackle sports fishing opportunities on the globe. Be it in Cairns Rivers, Cairns Lakes, Cairns Estuaries or off-shore Reef Fishing, you can experience the thrill of chasing that elusive "big one" while surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforests or the magic of the Great Barrier Reef.
Join our experienced Cairns Fishing Guides aboard our comfortable custom built vessels featuring padded seating, shade canopy, built-in ice box, live bait tank and quality fishing tackle - for the Cairns fishing trip of a lifetime.

Red Emperor"
Visitors and Cairns locals alike are treated to some of the best natural scenery and Cairns fishing conditions, all within a few minutes from the heart of downtown Cairns, while further a field ,you will find pristine rainforest rivers such as the mighty Daintree to the North, or the Russell and Mulgrave River systems South of Cairns.

Then there's the Cairns Great Barrier Reef - a fisherman's lure too big to miss. Whether it be bottom bouncing for prime eating fish such as Red Emperor or Coral Trout, or light tackle sport fishing with Spanish Mackerel or small Marlin in mind, the offshore fishing scene can be very hot.

So while you are visiting Cairns, don't miss out on the world's favourite past time. Dangle a line with a Cairns local guide, and you might just catch the fish of a lifetime.
Cairns Reef Fishing

Many people spend their entire lives saving to visit Cairns and The Great Barrier Reef and enjoy the thrill of Cairns Reef Fishing. For those of us lucky enough to live here in Cairns, we don't take this natural wonder of the world for granted.

The huge variety of fish species inhabiting the Great Barrier Reef is astounding. The close proximity of the Reef to Cairns itself makes it a fisherman's dream destination. With these factors in mind, we customised our Cairns Reef fishing charters to suit.

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.*

Reef Runner 1

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

Full-day $220 per person. Cairns Reef Fishing tours are not recommended for children under 15 years.

Cairns River Fishing

Just an hours drive from the City of Cairns, flows some of the finest tropical waterways to be found anywhere in the world. These rivers rise in the Northern Great Dividing Range and flow majestically through ancient rainforest up to 125 million years old.

Our skilled guides will take you to some of the best Cairns fishing locations in the Wet Tropics coastal lowlands where the estuarine crocodile - the last remaining dinosaur - can be readily viewed.

Barramundi

The local tidal river systems offer excellent Cairns River fishing, and the physical and structural nature of their tidal flows, sand bars, rock holes, weed beds and gutters can yield some prime sportfish.

Seasonal conditions play a major part in the range of species available at any given time, with barramundi more active during the warmer months of September to March as they prepare for spawning. The Barramundi season is, however, closed during the actual breeding season of November to January inclusive, and all fish caught must be released.

Other target species at this time of year include Mangrove Jack, Fingermark, Tarpon and Grunter.

The cooler months in Cairns are particularly good for Queenfish and the four species of Trevally encountered locally. These great sportfish can be caught up to 10 kgs, and on light 3-6 kgs tackle offer even the experienced angler a great work out.

This is also a prime time for Flathead, Bream, Whiting, King and Blue Salmon, and Estuary Cod. In all, 20 or so species can be encountered.


Cairns Estuary Fishing

Only five minutes from the heart of the beautiful city of Cairns and you will be treated to some of the best natural scenery and Cairns fishing conditions available in Tropical North Queensland.

Imagine fishing the upper reaches of the Cairns Trinity Inlet (Cairns Harbour) surrounded by lush greenery, rainforest clad mountains, and one of the worlds most diverse and productive ecosystems.

With over 90 kilometres of winding Cairns waterways to explore in our custom built vessels, our guides will take you to the best locations available.

Depending upon the prevailing Cairns weather and tide conditions, up to a dozen species can be pulled from the one spot.

Daily Cairns fishing tours operate throughout this extensive mangrove lined estuary which is home to a great diversity of species including the famous Barramundi, Mangrove jack and Trevally, Salmon, Grunter, Flathead, Fingermark and Gold Spot Cod to name just a few. In all, over 40 species of fish can be regularly caught in this magnificent Cairns Waterway.

Cairns Estuary Fishing tours begin with the gathering of live bait before moving up into Trinity Inlet, and its channels, gutters, creeks and open places. Actual fishing locations will be chosen based on prevailing Cairns weather and tidal conditions.

No experience is required to travel on this Cairns Estuary Fishing Tour. All bait and tackle is supplied, and our experienced Cairns guides will show the novice angler the right technique to catch the best fish.

These charters are designed to cater for all ages and skill levels, and children are most welcome.







Fishing The Tropics


PO Box 358, Redlynch Queensland 4870
✆ +61 7 4058 1820
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Specialist: Sportfishing