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| Capt Ross Finlayson Ross Finlayson is one of Australia’s proven leading marlin and sportfishing captains, providing professional game fishing charters from Cairns with consistent results each year for anglers from all over the world. With more than 20 years professional game fishing along the East coast of Australia, 38 year old Ross resides full time in Cairns and offers exclusive sportfishing charters year round on the Great Barrier Reef. Giant Black Marlin charters are run from September through to December and the rest of the year provides great fishing for Light & Medium Tackle species including juvenile black marlin, sailfish, mackerel and tunas. The 2009 marlin season produced good numbers again all round with Ross and the boys totaling 70 marlin for the season with several fish released around the 700-900lb mark and 1 beauty estimated around 1000lbs. Giant Black Marlin Fishing Giant Black Marlin Capital of the World! Heavy Tackle Game Fishing – September to December 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 grander marlin location in the world, and if you are a serious big game angler, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. There are more black marlin 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. Sport & Game Fishing Cairns, The Great Barrier Reef Light to Medium Tackle Game Fishing – Year Round Juvenile Black Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Yellowfin Tunas, Spanish Mackerel, Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, Cobia The bluewater sportfishing and deep sea gamefishing off Cairns is generally excellent year round, providing great action and good eating!! Before Cairns was recognised as the "Home to the Giant Black Marlin" more than 4 decades ago, it was an established fishing mecca for a huge variety of pelagic sportfish found in the surrounding cobalt waters. The winter months (May to September) are best for targeting Spanish mackerel (king mackerel), sailfish and juvenile black marlin (up to 100lbs). The warmer months (October to March) provide good fishing for wahoo, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, big Spanish mackerel (up to 100lbs), sailfish and black marlin (100 to 250lbs). We use lures, live baits and natural dead baits. Preferred lures range from bibless minnows to minnow style bibbed lures for mack tuna, Spanish mackerel and other species. For marlin and sailfish, preferred lures are of the pusher style, such as Moldcraft and Pakula. Live baits used are yakkas, trevally, pilchards, pinkies and gobbers. The most prominent dead baits used are mullet and gar fish (ballyhoo). These are extremely effective on all species. Tackle consists of trolling rigs with line classes varying between 6 to 24 kg depending on the size of the species sought. Four to five rigs are trolled with 1 or multiple teasers. Light tackle equipment consists of the highest quality Penn Reels with matching custom Jack Erskine light tackle rods in all line classes. Our fishing grounds throughout our winter months are approximately 15 to 25 miles from Cairns and in our summer months between 15 & 35 miles. (Approximately 45 to 90 mins travelling each way). Charter Options: I offer full day private charters for groups of 1 to 8 anglers directly from Cairns. This option is definitely the most effective way to fish and enables you to maximize your fishing time and provides flexibility with your day. Occasionally we put together shared full day charters (max 6 / min 5 anglers where you are married up with other anglers) which require minimum anglers in order to guarantee departures. These are always confirmed the day prior. Overnight and extended liveaboard charters are also available and are a great way to maximize your fishing on great locations from Cairns, with meals and accommodation provided. FULL DAY (Exclusive Private Charter for groups up to 6/8) : The Top Shot is an ideal game boat for day trips out of Cairns throughout the year – at 43ft she is roomy, fast and comfortable and is in survey for up to 8 passengers plus crew. Your day charter includes exclusive charter of world class 43ft game boat, highly professional captain (20 years exp) and crewman, all quality fishing tackle & equipment, airconditioned comfort, morning & afternoon tea, lunch and refreshments. Departure 7.30 am from Cairns Marlin Marina, Returning 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm. LIVEABOARD (Exclusive Private Charter): The Top Shot is perfectly set up for accommodating in airconditioned comfort maximum 4-5 anglers and 2 crew on an extended liveaboard charter light to medium tackle gamefishing. 2-5 day liveaboard charters are a great way to experience the variety of fishing opportunities on offer close to Cairns. All meals, beverages, and linens are provided on a liveaboard charter. Anglers need only bring soft overnight bags with personal belongings. Departure 7.30 am from Cairns Marlin Marina, Returning 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm on final fishing day. What to Bring Anglers need only bring their personal belongings, we supply all fishing tackle & equipment, morning and afternoon tea, lunch, softdrinks, bottled water. On extended overnight charters we supply all meals and beverages including Australian beer and wines. Recommend the following: Sun protection including long sleeve fishing shirt, deck shoes, polarized sunglasses, brimmed hat, sunscreen, swimwear. On extended, overnight charters include light spray jacket, light jumper (in winter)and favourtie music. Blue Water Fly Fishing Cairns, The Great Barrier Reef Billfish on Fly! Fly fishing is one of the biggest challenges left on the bluewater and is certainly one of the fastest growing facets of saltwater fishing. Black marlin and sailfish are both fly favourites and all other species targeted with conventional tackle can be caught on the fly. The world record opportunities are excellent on the Great Barrier Reef during the winter to spring months (May to November) using 8 to 16 weight tackle. I’ve been involved in a number of world record captures on fly both as crewman and captain having also caught 4 black marlin on fly as an angler. 3 World Records – Bluewater Fly 1995 - World Record – 4kg Tippett – 17.5 kg Black Marlin - (Angler – Dr Glen Scott, “Sea Baby IV”) 1998 - World Record – 4 Black Marlin in 1 Day on Fly Winner of the International Black Marlin Fly Fishing Tournament (Anglers – J Erskine & BMcLeod, “Sea Baby IV” 3 Marlin on Fly Caught in One Day (4 Times – “Sea Baby IV”) 2005 - 200lb Black Marlin captured for regular anglers Mr Ishikawa from Japan (Sea Baby IV) 2006 - 150lb Black Marlin again captured for Mr Ishikawa (Sea Baby IV) We target marlin and sailfish using the bait and switch technique, giving the angler the best opportunity to make a cast to a fish that is eager to bite. 12 to 14 weight rods and quality large capacity reels are favoured, although lighter or heavier tackle may be used depending on the size of the fish, and the anglers skill. Dual hook Flashy Profile flies, large multi hackled poppers, and tube flies are all effective Other bluewater species that can provide great fly fishing include Spanish (King) Mackerel, Cobia, Yellowfin Tuna, Longtail (Bluefin) Tuna and Mackerel Tuna (False Albacore). These pelagics can at times be approached as they herd baitfish to the surface and attack, offering exciting visual fly fishing action. Locating schools of predators electronically then burleying (chumming) with live or cut bait produces consistent results. Flies that imitate the baitfish or chum are cast off intermediate or fast sinking lines into the bait trail attracting the attention of switched on predators. 9 to 12 weight rods with large capacity reels are standard, however some anglers like the challenge of ultra light rods (2 to 6 weight), quality reels with plenty of backing are essential, definitely no place for Trout reels. Charter Options FULL DAY (Exclusive Private Charter): The Top Shot is an ideal game boat for day trips out of Cairns throughout the year – at 43ft she is roomy, fast and comfortable and is in survey for up to 8 passengers plus crew. Your day charter includes exclusive charter of world class 43ft game boat, highly professional captain (20 years exp) and crewman, all quality fishing tackle & equipment, airconditioned comfort, morning & afternoon tea, lunch and refreshments. Departure 7.30 am from Cairns Marlin Marina, Returning 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm. LIVEABOARD (Exclusive Private Charter): The Top Shot is perfectly set up for accommodating in airconditioned comfort maximum 4-5 anglers and 2 crew on an extended liveaboard charter light to medium tackle gamefishing. 2-5 day liveaboard charters are a great way to experience the variety of fishing opportunities on offer close to Cairns. All meals, beverages, and linens are provided on a liveaboard charter. Anglers need only bring soft overnight bags with personal belongings. Top Shot - 43’ O’Brien Well known Australian game boat, the Top Shot is a 43 foot O’Brien designed 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 known for her 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. Electronic fit out is extensive and includes 2 radios, radar and 2 navigation systems for pin point accuracy on fishing grounds. Twin Furuno sounders with dual frequency and sea temperature sensors provide state of the art fish-finding capability. The air conditioned cabin and saloon plan, affords anglers indoor comforts. A complete view from the saloon invites instant response to any action in the cockpit. Accommodation forward is four V berths with the lower V forming a double berth, when necessary. The forward cabin also includes an additional double berth and single berth. The saloon has table and surround lounge seating on the port side with another lounge on the starboard side. Separate toilet and shower are housed in the cabin. Three freezers and two large fridges provide excellent refrigeration capabilities. Full galley, water maker, hot and cold water, micro wave, T.V. video, hi-fi radio and CD player are all present for client comfort and satisfaction. Length: 43 ft ( 22 metres) Top Speed: 30 knots Cruising Speed: 22 knots Engines: 2 x 450hp C Series Cummins Passengers: Day Trip Max 8+2 Crew / Overnight Max 4/5 + Crew |
Cairns Marlin Fishing
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