Light Tackle Black Marlin Fishing
Fraser Island & North Queensland offers light tackle anglers some fantastic fishing particularly in the colder months from July to September in both Cairns and Townsville as well as Fraser Island.
The fish, first year spawn of the previous year’s giant black marlin season, are drawn to the area by the huge schools of bait that inhabit the fishing grounds during the season traveling down the Queensland coast in the EAC (East Australian Current).
Early in the season these fish can be as tiny as 8-10 kg, but as voracious feeders they can grown up to and exceeding 20kg before they leave our waters to head further south.
In addition to the juvenile black marlin, sailfish are common in similar size ranges to the juvie marlin as welll as plenty of other pelagic species such as mackerel and tuna.
Great fun on the light tackle and exciting for both novice and veteran anglers!
Light Tackle Charter Options
The proximity of the juvenile black marlin fishing grounds offers live aboard anglers comfortable overnight anchorages for up to four persons.
At Fraser Island, the juveniles can be caught on both sides of the island offering options in all weather conditions.
In Cairns, depending on where the hot bite is, we can be fishing very close to the lovely Fitzroy Island which is a great overnight stay. Or perhaps the fishing will take us to near the beautiful Michaelmas Cay!
In Townsville we primarily fish the world renowned grounds of Cape Bowling Green and will spend the night on anchor behind its protective sand spit.
Day trips are also available for up to 6 anglers. We leave the marina early to give you plenty of fishing time with both novice and veteran anglers very welcome! All tackle is supplied and trips are also fully catered. All of our trips are whole boat only.
Juvie Black Marlin Fishing in Cairns
North Queensland also offers light tackle anglers some fantastic fishing particularly in the colder months from July to September in both Cairns and Townsville.
The fish, first year spawn of the previous year’s giant black marlin season, are drawn to the area by the huge schools of bait that inhabit the fishing grounds during the season.
Early in the season these fish can be as tiny as 8-10 kg, but tas voracious feeders they can grown up to and exceeding 20kg before they leave our waters to head south in the EAC (East Australian Current).
In addition to the juvenile black marlin, sailfish are common in similar size ranges to the juvie marlin as welll as plenty of other pelagic species such as mackerel and tuna.
Great fun on the light tackle and exciting for both novice and veteran anglers!
Light Tackle Marlin in Townsville
For light tackle enthusiasts, Cape Bowling Green is a must fish destination!
Cape Bowling Green located 30 miles east of Townsville and provides a magnitude of different fishing action. The reefs and shoals come alive with huge bait schools in August and September and provide action a plenty for light tackle, as well as fly fishing enthusiasts.
KEKOA fishes the Townsville season for juvenile black marlin, as well as sailfish and other pelagic species such as tuna and mackerel in the weeks surrounding the Mike Carney Toyota Billfish Challenge each year (contact us to confirm dates!)
Both Luke and Kelly hail from these waters and grew up catching the little blacks. In fact, Luke’s ‘claim to fame’ in Townsville is catching the very first black marlin caught in a tournament there as a junior back in 1983!
Fraser Island Juvie Black Marlin
The year-round warm water that hits at Fraser Island, brought down from North Queensland in the EAC brings the baby black marlin with it. When the fish show up here early in the spring (though the best fishing is generally from June), and the weather conditions are right, you are anchoring almost on the fishing grounds themselves!
The proximity of the fishing makes a great day of the water and you can be catching fish within minutes from anchors up or down when you are overnighting on the grounds.
These size fish are energetic jumpers and give anglers a great visual display. What’s better than the sand backdrop of Austria’s largest island?!
