Eastern Arnhem Land Mothership

Fish For: Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, Golden Snapper, Mangrove Jack, Giant Trevally, Golden Trevally, Queenfish, Blue Slamon, Estuary Cod and more.

Avail Seasons: February to August

Location: Rivers, Estuaries and Creeks of Eastern Arnhem Land

Recommended stay: 5 Days, 6 Nights

Accomodation: Quality Mothership

Other activities: Mud Crabbing, Wildlife Spotting and Bird Watching

Pricing: From $4,950pp for 3 days/4 nights

Overview:

One of the great things about a mothership expedition is each night you’ll be moored adjacent to the fishing grounds you are going to work the next day. A lot less time travelling equals more time fishing. You also avoid those bumpy extended rides home which can be a factor with land-based options.

Your primary target species will be the iconic barramundi. They are often referred to as “elusive”, but not in these fish rich waters.

There’s a multitude of fishing options where they can be encountered. There’s snags, drains and rock bars in the rivers and creeks, rocky headlands, river junctions, mangrove lined mud flats and more.

Trips early in the year get to capitalise on the “run-off” when fishing for trophy metre plus specimens is a real chance. As the flood plains drain into the main river systems, they create ideal ambush points for barra to feed. Whilst there is always a lot of focus on the run-off, Eastern Arnhem Land fishes well for barramundi year-round.

There are a heap of other species you’ll encounter in the same territory as barramundi. These include threadfin salmon, blue salmon, mangrove jack, golden snapper and estuary cod.

Within easy reach are the Wessel and English Company Islands which offer fantastic fishing for pelagic and reef species. There’s sizeable giant trevally that will really stretch your arms, leaping queenfish, speedsters like Spanish mackerel and schools of longtail tuna at the right time of year. The reef species provide some of the best table fish including coral trout.

Your adventure is an afternoon start in Gove Harbour. Once you’re all onboard you’ll steam overnight through to East Arnhem Land where you’ll wake up to stunning scenery and fishing hotspots on your doorstep.

You may fish a different destination each day or stay longer in one spot if the fish there are really fired up.

Typically, breakfast is at 7am each morning with lunch and dinner also had onboard the mothership. Meal times are worked around the tides to make sure you’re on the water at peak feeding periods.

Your mothership, “Iron Lady” is a quality 65-foot live aboard motor yacht. The sleeping quarters and saloon are all air-conditioned ensuring maximum comfort.

There are 2 x 2 berth cabins and 1 x 4 berth cabin. Each have ensuites.

There are 4 fishing tenders which means all guests have the luxury of fishing 2 per boat.

All the guides are experienced operators and led by Capt Dan Bergamo who has been fishing these waters for the last 27 seasons. No-one knows these waters better than he does.

Your hosts include a gourmet chef who is a seafood expert and hostess to make sure everything runs smoothly.

At the end of your last day’s fishing, you steam overnight back to Gove Harbour in time to link up with a flight back to Cairns.

Inclusions:

Fully guided fishing on a 2 per boat basis
Quality custom designed tenders with the latest fish finding technology and safety equipment.
Accommodation onboard MV Iron Lady
All meals and canapes
Use of quality fishing equipment on a replace if lost or broken basis
Soft plastic lures and jig heads

Exclusions:

Air-fares
Drinks (must be pre-ordered well before your departure date)
Travel Insurance (strongly recommended)

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