Mid September – December

Heavy Tackle Giant Black Marlin Fishing

The Ultimate Fishing Destination: Cairns is the Giant Black Marlin capital of the world.

If you haven’t fished a Cairns marlin season, some may say you haven’t fished at all. Year after year the giant black marlin return to this area of the Great Barrier Reef to spawn.  The females range from 700 to 1300lbs and with the abundance of smaller males from 250lbs at their side, gives anglers from all over the world an opportunity of a lifetime.

The reefs stretch over 150 miles from Cairns to Lizard Island and are frequented by the giant black marlin from September through to December; and the opportunity to catch a 1000+ pounder can  become a reality.

Dawn to dusk the experience never ends — bait fishing, popper fishing, jigging for GT’s, mahi mahi, wahoo, dogtooth tuna, coral trout and swimming and snorkeling on the reef.  All this and much more before heading outside the reef to do battle with a giant black marlin.

On board KEKOA we have cockpit and tow cameras to record all the action on video, and Captain Luke’s wife Kelly is an avid photographer and captures some truly awesome still photographs as well (see more of Kelly’s pictures on this page and in the photo galleries).  You’ll leave with not only great memories of a fantastic trip, but some great video and photographic evidence as well all copied for you onto DVD.

View some recent video of KEKOA in action (click on the link to go to the YouTube video clip):

• KEKOA’s first grander black marlin of the Cairns marlin season 2011.
• 950lb black marlin for Chase during the 2011 Cairns marlin season
• Footage from Brendan’s 900lb+ fish on board KEKOA in November 2010.
• Dougie 800lb on 50lb standup on KEKOA in November 2010.
• A compilation clip of 7 marlin over 750lbs on board KEKOA in the first part of the 2010 season.
• At the end of a long day marlin fishing we have some fun with the fish at the back of the boat – Oct 2010
• Rob from New York fished with us in October 2010 for his new PB marlin
• The Salter family trip on board KEKOA in September 2010.
• Jason Hass’ 1000lb black marlin in October 2009.
• John Wildberger on a giant black estimated at 1200lbs in October 2009.
• Underwater black marlin bites (on the Tow Camera) – a montage of 2008 clips.
• 2007 with Adam on the leader for a first black marlin for the group from Tasmania.

Experience the unbelievable, experience heavy tackle!

KEKOA recommends Live Aboard charters for the Cairns heavy tackle season and can comfortably cater for groups of up to four anglers. Mother ships are available upon request.

Visit the About KEKOA page for photos and more details about the vessel and accommodations.  And read Warren Steptoe’s boat test of the new KEKOA for BlueWater Boats and Sport Fishing Magazine here.