Coral Sea Fishing

Fish for: Dogtooth Tuna, Giant Trevally, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Spanish Mackerel, Coral Trout, Red Bass, Bluefin Trevally, Green Jobfish, Longnose Emperor and more

Available Seasons: January to October

Locations: Bligh Reef, Holmes Reef, Flinders Reef, Ribbon Reefs and Diamond Islets

Recommended stay: 6 Days, 7 Nights

Accomodation: Luxury Mothership

Other activities: Snorkelling

Pricing: Dependent on the destination

The Coral Sea offers some of the most exciting sportfishing anywhere on the planet. The best way to visit these remote atolls is via a luxury mothership supported by a fleet of purpose-built centre console vessels. Everything about these trips is top shelf – the planning, equipment and technology, boats, guides, chef and service.

 

These trips aren’t for the faint hearted. The target species include some of the toughest adversaries that can come in huge proportions. Monster dogtooth tuna, brutal giant trevally and huge schools of yellowfin are just part of what you can chase.

 

Casting the flats is about as visual as it gets. Watch in awe as a myriad of reef dwellers reveal themselves to hunt down your lure. Coral trout, red bass, longnose emperor, cod and bluefin trevally are all likely and then there’s the GT that don’t mind the shallows and are a real challenge in this type of terrain.

 

Some of the reefs have sand cays where you can do a bit of land-based sight casting at huge shadows over white sands in crystal clear water.

There is enormous variety in the species which can be targeted in these fish rich waters and the techniques used. Cast big poppers and stick baits on the outer reef edges for dogtooth tuna and GTs or yellowfin tuna that a busting up in big schools; work knife jigs down the face of drop offs for huge dogtooth; get your arms stretched by red bass and coral trout in the shallows; troll for speedsters like wahoo and Spanish mackerel but be prepared for anything to hit your lure like billfish, dogtooth, yellowfin and GT.

At the end of each day, you get to enjoy the comfort of your 25-metre mothership which provides generous indoor and outdoor lounge and dining areas, air-conditioned cabins, ample toilets and showers. It’s been designed to be spacious and stable. Starlink ensures you can stay in touch with the rest of the world no matter which remote location you are in. The chef is excellent and will provide a variety of canapes each evening followed by a 3-course dinner. Cooked breakfasts are served at 7 am each morning and lunch is normally packed and enjoyed whilst you are out fishing.

The fishing fleet include 1 x 32ft and 2 x 23ft purpose built centre console sportfishing craft, ideal to handle 3 anglers and a guide each. They are equipped with the latest fish finding technology and safety equipment. If you don’t have suitable rod and reel combinations these can be either rented or purchased on board. These need to be of the highest standard capable of handling tight drags and brutal adversaries. A typical day’s fishing is from 7.30am to 4.30pm.

Dependent on the destination you’ve chosen you’ll either fly into a remote airstrip and get transferred to the mothership or you’ll cruise on her overnight departing Port Douglas to reach your destination.

 

  • Ribbon Reefs – 4 days 5 nights to 6 days 7 nightsThe infamous Ribbon Reefs form an amazing part of the Great Barrier Reef that span across the Northern Cape York Peninsula.The southern most reef is No1 with the northern most being No10. From top to bottom is 150NM delivering an amazing array of spectacular atolls, drop offs, flats and other fish holding terrain.
  • Bligh Reef – 6 days 7 nightsBligh is situated 300NM east of Cairns and is renowned for the variety of species which can be targeted. Cast, jig or troll the outside edges of the reefs for dogtooth, GT, yellowfin, wahoo and Spanish mackerel or drift the flats and blue holes and watch as reef dwellers like coral trout and red bass hunt down your lure and try and bury it straight back from where they came.
  • Holmes Reef – 6 days 7 nightsHolmes is situated 115 NM east north east of Port Douglas. This unique atoll sits in the middle of the Australian Eastern Current that brings a plethora of pelagic species to the area.Expect to encounter dogtooth, GT, wahoo, yellowfin and bluefin trevally. It’s also home to breeding aggregations of huge GT that look like moving bommies at certain times of the years
  • Flinders Reef – 6 days 7 nightsFlinders is an isolated coral atoll 190NM east south east of Port Douglas. Here you target the normal array of species including dogtooth, GT, yellowfin, wahoo, coral trout, bluefin trevally and longnose emperor.You can also stalk and sight cast to GT from a large sand cay. Battling a 30kg+ GT with sand between your toes is adventure fishing at its best.
  • Diamond Islets – 10 days 13 nightsThe most remote of the Coral Sea destinations we offer. Diamond Islets is 350NM from Port Douglas in the far reaches of the Coral Sea on the edge of Australian Waters. Extra travel time is required to cruise to this remote spot and trips are during the mid-summer period when weather and sea conditions are most favourable. Trips often involve a day or 2 at Flinders or Holmes Reefs on the way out or back. This really is a “land of giants”. Everything has the potential to be huge – the focus is on really big dogtooth, GT and yellowfin but there’s obviously various other species that are easily targeted.

Inclusions:

  • Accommodation on a 25-metre luxury mothership
  • Use of purpose-built fishing fleet equipped with the latest technology and safety equipment
  • Expert guides who know the Coral Sea and target species well
  • All meals
  • Soft drinks, juices, coffee and beer
  • Fishing licences and permits

Excludes:

  • Fishing Equipment – Rods and reels for each style of fishing can be rented or purchased if you’re not bringing your own. Lures can be purchased.
  • Charter flights and transfers if required
  • Wine and spirits – Can be organised prior to travel
  • Travel and health insurance – compulsory
  • Gratuities

Other Options

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