Cairns Black Marlin
Cairns Black marlin
Grander central
Peak Season: October –> November
The Cairns black marlin are the iconic fish of giant variety known as “Granders”. They can reach upwards of 450kg (over 1,000lbs) and their congregation here year after year is what put Cairns on the international fishing map 50 years ago. Still today, more of these giant fish are caught off Cairns every single year than anywhere else in the world combined.
Fishing with industry veteran Captain Luke Fallon.
Photos on this website all taken on board with Luke by wife Kelly Dalling Fallon.
Cairns black marlin
The fishing is along a 200km stretch of the Great Barrier Reef approximately 60kms off the coast of North Queensland known as the Ribbon Reefs.
Most of the marlin charters in this part of world are ‘live aboard’ normally between 3 and 7 days in duration. Live aboard means that you stay on board the gamefishing boats in small groups for the duration of your trip.
The fishing is very unique here on the Great Barrier Reef which makes it so special. You are literally fishing on one side of the reef, and anchoring on the other, the lee side – usually less than 10 minutes from where you are fishing!
Females shine
The biggest fish are females and they are accompanied by numbers of smaller males in the 100-200kg range, monsters themselves in many respects. They are drawn to the area by both an abundant food supply and warmer water along the reef edge at this time of year as well and the proximity of other breeding age fish.
Not only can you enjoy some of the most spectacular fishing on the planet in these waters, but you are fishing in a pristine reef environment that is seldom visited by ordinary travelers.
Whole experience
It’s not just the Cairns black marlin that deliver the reef experience.
On the Ribbons Reefs, anglers can spend the mornings, which are typically a quieter time of day for the big marlin, chasing a plethora of sport & reef fish for bait and the table including several species of mackerel and tuna or casting poppers at giant trevally on the reef edge.
Or they may jump in behind the protected reef edges for a swim or spearfish on the beautiful shallow corals.
*Excerpted from an article I wrote for What Tradies Want Magazine (Kelly)
Get in touch to discuss dates & Bookings
Get in touch with Luke and Kelly via email or the socials below to book your trip of a lifetime!