Thursday, December 13, 2012

2012 Marlin Season Roundup

The 2012 marlin season has come and gone with Christmas now just around the corner.   Overall it was actually  pretty tough  with some good fishing in every month though some definite hard times experienced by all out there.

This year we had a change around from La Nina to El Nino and I'm not sure if it was the cause but our water temperatures have remained quite cool all season with it even now around 28.5 degrees when other years its usually hitting the 30 degree mark.   This may in turn keep the fish around until January and the possibility of minimal cyclone activity.

Fishing highlights for our season was Zane catching his big fish in early October, winning the Lizard Island tournament with Omi Tomonori and Rick Benitez catching 4 big marlin from the 6 fish he caught in his 4 day charter in November.

We fished the ladies one day Ribbons Tournament with Sonia, Felicity, Rae and Donna.   Although the weather was against the girls with 20knots plus, there was some good fishing and Sonia managed to take out the Champion Angler with a 300lb est black marlin on 10kg line along with a couple of wahoo, dolphin fish and barracuda.    We placed 3rd overall so congratulations to the girls.

We are continuing to do day trips from Cairns through December and January targeting pretty well anything that bites.   With a mixture of light, medium and heavy tackle days along with popper fishing.

I'll be heading down to Port Stephens in February to fish once again on the Calypso and we have some great openings for anyone interested fishing for striped, blue and black marlin.   They are catching them down there already, so looking forward to a good season.


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Great Fishing Wide of the Reef .....

Fished with Peds and Bernadette for 6 days getting a few bites from small ones at Lindenbank over the first 4 days without catching one, then heard a whisper of a large aggregation of big eye tuna, yellowfin tuna and black and blue marlin between 15 & 20 miles off Lindenbank.

Fished out there for the last 2 days with great results getting Bernadette her first blue marlin around 250lb followed by a 500-600lb black marlin along with some monster yellowfin est 180lbs.

We raised a couple of really large marlin that unfortunately didn't bite the lures but great to see them there and they should hopefully push into the edge at some stage.

Out tomorrow for 3 days and hoping to find some good fishing again.

The following is a great photo of one of Rick Benitez's big blacks taken by the crew on the Viking II.


Monday, November 19, 2012

The Big Ones Keep Comin' for Rick ....

A fantastic last day of fishing for Rick Benitez from Miami.     Another two beauties released late this afternoon.   1 estimated 900lbs and 5 minutes later,  hooked and caught a fish that I thought was a good 1100lber.   What a way to finish - in 4 days he caught 6, 4 of which were "goose bump" marlin.

Congratulations Rick - not quite sure how we're going to top that one.



Sunday, November 18, 2012

Big Ones at Lindenbank !!

Just caught a fish estimated 1000lbs for Rick Benitez.   Definately his trip - yesterday we released one around 900lbs.   The sluggish November fishing has turned around. 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Lizard Island Tournament - Congratulations Tomo!

Fantastic tournament fishing by Tomo (Omi Tomonori) catching 14 marlin out of 16 bites - biggest estimated 1200lbs.     Champion Angler, Champion Team and multiple daily awards.   Great effort by crewmen Andy Dow and Jae Clayden - thanks boys.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Tournament Yesterday

Was a great day yesterday with a big fish tagged estimated 1200lbs.   One of the biggest fish I've encountered on the reef.   Caught 2 others around 250 lbs.     Total of 13 with final day of fishing today.   Tomo's fishing this year has been outstanding.  Will post video over the next couple of days.

A number of big fish turned up yesterday for boats in the tournament - full results ....

http://www.lizardislandgfc.asn.au/live.php?PHPSESSID=593d8340ebda9b0b702c0b656f40b3d6





Friday, October 26, 2012

Lizard Island Tournament Update

 3 marlin yesterday on the 5th day of the tournament - hopefully we can hang in there with 2 days to go

http://www.lizardislandgfc.asn.au/live.php?PHPSESSID=33516ff8b2440c9d53560bb5e93c9701

Day 2–15:36h
Day 2–16:27h
Day 2–17:26h
Day 3–13:52h
Day 4–13:21h
Day 4–14:46h
Day 4–15:43h
Day 5–13:59h
Day 5–14:40h
Day 5–15:45h
Day 2–15:49h   400lbs
Day 2–16:38h   300lbs
Day 2–17:39h   200lbs
Day 3–13:53h     30lbs
Day 4–13:24h   100lbs
Day 4–15:12h   800lbs
Day 4–15:55h   250lbs
Day 5–14:01h   350lbs
Day 5–14:43h   200lbs
Day 5–15:48h   250lbs