Hello All
Our success is still continuing, Just finished 6 days with Graham Mitchel, Son of pioneer angler from the early years out of Cairns Basil Mitchel, Graham got 7 in his trip including a nice one that could have been well over the mark, He is enjoying getting back into his fishing again, after a long stint of being out of it. He has son wonderful Movies, stills, and of cause stories from the early years. The lizard island Tournament starts Tomorrow hope luck stays with us.
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Hello Folks
26 years of driving Viking and Viking 11 in the Cairns Giant Black marlin Season, I have never had a run like I am having with the big fish, we have fished 25 days so far and have caught 10 fish over 800lb and well I believe that 6 of those fish were over 1000lb and pushing 1100lb. Now some of you might think that my years are starting to play with my judgement, but my seasoned crew are also amazed at the results.
Just fished new comers Paul Harper and Matt Smith. for just 3 days, straight out of the Box we caught a 300lber, but the baits back out and a double header the smaller of the 2 fish earned its freedom and the 850lber was Matt’s first ever Marlin.
Day 2 the action started at 2.00pm when a classic big fish bite on the left tuna bait had us all screaming half a hour later Paul Harper let go a beauty, again over 1000lb was my call. Another high light of that big fish it was caught on one engine, as a electronic issue put my port engine out of commission. It put a new meaning to crazy boat driving.
Day 3 things seemed a little slower, and a lost rare blue marlin for on the edge of the reef which eat a lure while heading up the track for some bait fishing, was our only action. Than when I was just about to call wind up, another real nice one climbed on the left bait again. After some great action explosive runs and aerial performance we let the big girl go.
What a finish to a amazing 3 days, the boys were blown away, and so was I.
2 over the number a 850lber a small 300lber and 3 other jump off of smaller fish.
Can this continue. Put some pictures up soon
Capt Bill
Hello folks
Just finished a 5 day charter with the boys from private Boat JAG that they left home this season. Mick and Deano, we had a ball great fun guys, although the fishing was a little slow, luck was on the boys side, with a couple of small fish to wet the appetite on the third day we jumped off our first nice one for the season, the last day off the trip arrived and we got started, only 30 minutes into the day and a very large fish had a soft bite on the tuna, the second bite was a bit more aggressive and we came tight.
The true size of the fish was not realised, than she did a set of amazing jumps down the side of the boat, a real nice one I saw enough to make me believe that we were hooked up to our first Grander for the season, within 30 minutes we had this beautiful fish on the leader, a couple of great jumps on the leader, and she was released. Jubilation all round, Big Deano had caught his first grander and although a little out of breath, the smile was from ear to ear.
Than once we got set up again, I went back to my mark and again another nice fish jumped on, This time Mick was in the Chair and a solid 800lber was released, what a last day. The boys got into the celebration drinks, and myself and crew Westy and Carl joined them in Cooktown that night.
Hello folks
Well as forecast the little marlin dominated the fishery out of Port Stephens this season, although some larger species up to 150kg were encounted,which were testing on the 10kg tackle, the small blacks were around in big numbers this season, the striped marlin as of yet have not turned up in the large numbers as previous years, although on some days, we had some great fishing with larger than normal striped marlin, but unfortunately the consistantancy was not there. The Viking 11 is still in Port Stephens until around the middle of this month, and still working and getting as usual great results, I am having a little break and will known Port Stephens Captain ShaneWilson is at the helm giving the clients some Great days. The South Alligator River is where I will be chasing Barra.
Speaking of Barra, I got a call from my eldest daughter Holly, 19 years old a couple of days ago. Daddy I just caught a 1.16 meter barra was her opening words, I was so stoked and proud as punch, Rhys Moore Holly’s Partner put her on the fish, and from all reports gave holly a hell of a fight, until the net went under the fish.
Greeting folks.
Another catch up on whats been happening on the reef with Viking 11. The lizard Island Tournament has been another amazing success, especially with the number of big fish Caught. A total of Seven black marlin over the Magical 1000lb number were released during the tournament, My client Jim Wild who was my angler when we won the tournament for the 5th time in 2010, caught his second black marlin over 1000lb. It was not our year this time and Top shot with Ross Finlayson at the helm taking out the the major award, But again we were on the podium with Champion boat day 1 and runner up Champion Angler.
Swiss client Johan Christensen has had a great trip so far with 6 marlin up to 900lb, he is keen to keep a real Giant and 2 days ago we had her on, the big gaffs were made ready but she knew all my tricks, the serious drag was put into play, and Johan was amazed at the power of these fish.
Alas it was not to be, another fish went though the line, while under maximum drag and it was over. We have one more day to try and make Johan Dream a reality, and with some sea monsters out there hear,s hoping.
Capt Billy Billson
Hello folks.
It had to happen, one thing certain about the cairns fishery is it dosn,t stay calm forever and after so many days of Glamour weather, the wind came with a vengence. With the wind came the fish, and up and down the reef the reports started to flow in.
My clients of the last 4 days Chris Batty of Complete Angler and friend Rebecca, started off. Chris got his first fish of the trip and Rebecca got the shots with the SLR, Day 2 and the weather got fresh to frightening and little Rebecca, started doing it tough. Back to Cooktown to let her sit it out and Lucky Andrew Penniski joined us. We elected to spend the day light tackle due to the weather, and caught about everything that swam around the reefs.
The next day we toughed it out, and Andrew got his first fish of the trip a 500lber, the bites Keep coming and on the last day we were getting a good furry of bites, one a real nice fish that managed to fall off.
The tally at the end was 5 to 550 lb in the 4 days of heavy tackle fishing, GT’s, Bluefin tuna, Spanish Mackerel, behind the reef to break it up.
The weather is coming down and the bite is heating up Stay tuned.
Capt Bill
Hi folks
Just finished my seven day charter with Americans Terry, Doug, and Ron 11 fish for the trip including a 750 800 850 900 and a 1100 pound plus, One to remember. The season had a little late start proper, this year but from all reports it is well and truly underway with many boats enjoying great fishing, and now the weather is great their is no better place to be.
Hello folks.
Sorry about promised Pictures, put having trouble with the bloody computer,
Yesterday started with New American Clients for 7 Days working off the Mothership Alantic Princess, glamour, great day good weather for a change and on his first day Terry Caught a cracker, Knocking at the door one could say, we had 2 other bites on small fish But hooked the big one late, came in behind the reef at night with everyone on a high. Their has been some other nice ones also caught recently from Moana, Little Audry, and Iona 11, all on Linden Bank.
Hello boys and
Well on the Viking 11 not much to report on the marlin front, with the wind still very strong and good friend and regular client Beau Kuok happy to do light tackle for spanish mackerel and get amongest the trout before the reef closure. From the rest of the fleet Capt Jared on the Sharka let go a solid 850lber in the middle ribbons, and New boat Watchdog with Capt Crusty at the wheel let go a very healthy 700lber on Lindon Bank, The Current is still going to the north which is not what we really need but It is about to change. The wind is being a pest, but as we know in this game we have to take the good with the bad. Their has being some patches of small fish up to 400lb, and if in the right spot at the right time catching 3 a day is possible. Thats all folks.