Aqua-Cat Charters


Aqua-Cat Charters is a North Queensland business owned and operated by Peter and Gayle Todd. It has been in existence since 1987 and is Cairns Number One Reef Fishing Charter Business.

Aqua-Cat Charters is a Reef Fishing/Bottom Fishing Operation. This means that the boat anchors, and passengers fish with either hand lines or rod and reel.

Aqua-Cat is a 50' mono-hull Randall design boat that comfortably fishes 14 anglers.

Share Charter or Sole Charter services are available.

During Reef Closures an alternative Light Tackle Fishing Charter is offered.

In 1987 Aqua-Cat Charters was started by Peter and Gayle Todd.

Peter and Gayle were born and bred in Mareeba and Cairns.
Peter had always been an avid fisherman as was Gayle's father.

Peter bought his first reef boat at age 19. He commenced commercial fishing in 1979 and retired from that aspect of fishing in 1984 to take up a position of Head Marine Instructor and set up the marine section at the local Tafe.

In 1987, most of the fishing charter operations in the Cairns area were tourist orientated and Peter felt that the locals needed something for themselves, so he bought his first boat - a 28 foot catamaran, and thereby founded the name "Aqua-Cat". The current "Aqua-Cat" is a 50 foot Randal design mono hull boat.

Peter has extensive local knowledge of the area due to a love of recreational fishing, and commercial fishing and also exchanged stories with Gayle's father who was born and reared in Cairns and knew the reefs around the area very well.

Aqua-Cat Charters was named the number one charter fishing boat business in North Queensland and has featured in many fishing publications and television shows over recent years.

The business has also had considerable involvement with many research projects and organisations throughout North Queensland.

An example of this is a Department of Primary Industries Researcher who was given free space on Aqua-Cat's boat daily for three years to assist him with his project on coral trout.

Over the years, Aqua-Cat Charters has also been involved heavily with various government organisations such as the D.P.I.'s Zonal Advisory Committees and the G.B.R.M.P.A's Local Marine Advisory Committee. Peter is also the local representative for the Qld Charter Vessel Association.

Peter is a regular speaker on the local ABC radio's "Fish Talk" which airs every Friday.

Peter and Gayle believe in protecting the Great Barrier Reef fishing for future generations and had fish catch quotas on the boat long before it was legislated.

THE BOAT:
Aqua-Cat is a 50' mono-hull Randall design boat that comfortably fishes 14 anglers. It has a toilet/shower onboard in the cabin and is covered by an awning.

WHAT'S PROVIDED:
[unless otherwise specified]
Rods or Hand Lines are provided.
[Passengers are welcome to bring a favourite rod if they so desire.]
Bait & Tackle is provided.
Pilchards and Squid are used for bait.
Gloves are provided to assist in landing fish.

Tea and Coffee is available on board.
Passengers provide their own food and cold drinks.
[Fridge onboard for passenger use]

Courtesy Bus is available for anglers staying at hotels & motels.

The most common fish caught are Big and Small Mouth Nanygai and Sea Perch, Coral Trout, Trevally, Sweet Lip, Emperor and Cod. Mackeral are often caught on floating baits.





Aqua-Cat Charters


28 Clifton Road, CLIFTON BEACH Queensland 4879
✆ 07 4059 1500
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Specialist: Sea Fishing