Year after year come September, the giant black marlin start to congregate along a stretch of the Great Barrier Reef called the Ribbon Reef. Also known as “The Ribbons”, this reef stretches in excess of 100 miles in a ribbon off the coast between Cairns and Lizard Island.
These reefs are hard breaking reefs and form a unique backdrop to some of the best black marlin fishing on the planet. Simply put, nowhere in the world rivals Cairns for the big black marlin.
The biggest of the fish are female and have been caught here up to and over 1200lbs in numbers since the very first ‘grander’ black marlin was caught on 25th September 1966.
The ultimate heavy tackle species, the black marlin are well known for their tough fight and aerial displays at the back of the boat. Add in the reef backdrop, and you have something truly special.
Each year the big female fish are accompanied by squads of smaller males, still somewhat giants in their own rights, of generally between 200 and 400lbs. We fish primarily 130lb chair tackle with a pitch 50 or 80lb stand up outfit possible in the mix. Any bite could be the fish of a lifetime!
Along the Ribbon Reefs, we are fishing on the deep water drop off edge of the reef on the eastern side and anchoring at night in the lee side of the reef with the calm water protection of the breaking edge. This proximity of fishing and anchorage offers anglers a unique live aboard experience.
Generally the giant black marlin keep gentleman’s hours and the later in the day the more likely the bite. For that reason we generally start fishing about 10:30-11am giving us plenty of time in the mornings for other reef-centric activities from catching bait and fish for the table to swimming and snorkeling in the coral playground!
If you are a scuba diver, consider mothershipping for your trip with the added benefit of a dive-master on crew!
Your charter
A private live-aboard charter is typically a group of between one and three anglers. In peak marlin season in October and November, trips are a minimum of three days although we recommend between four and seven days if you can.
Trips are fully catered (alcohol is BYO – although we can arrange for you) and all tackle is supplied as well as everything else you will need on board – just bring yourself and your clothing and any personal toiletries and items.
On an overnight trip guests can enjoy everything the reef has to offer including a swim or snorkel on the reef before the marlin fishing.
Mothershipping is also an option if you have a larger party or some members of your group are not full-time fishermen/women!
Marine Environment
We fish this part of the reef under a Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMPA) permitting system. All guests visiting the reef are required to pay a Environmental Management Charge per person per day which is collected from tourism operators such as ourselves (included in your charter fee!). These funds are used by the Governmental body to manage the marine park and improve its long term resilience.
We are passionate about marlin fishing and equally passionate about protecting the marine environment that sustains these giants of the ocean. We make every effort to minimize our environmental footprint.
We also practice almost exclusively catch and release techniques for the big marlin these days and always strive to release the fish in the best possible condition we can.
