CAPTAIN Jim Dalling has been a charter fishing boat skipper for more than 20 years. Townsville born and bred, he grew up around the waterways of the city with fishing in his blood. He entered the game fishing scene originally as an anglers and immediately saw success at many tournaments including the prestigious Australian International Billfish Tournament, Tangalooma Classic and Cairns Light Tackle Tournament.

Since becoming a boat skipper, Jim has captained the boat to win many other tournaments including the Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic 3 times, the Lexus Tournament twice, the Dunk Island Billfish Classic, the Townsville Billfish Challenge 5 times, and the Gold Coast Marlin Cup, to name but a few. He skippered the boat during many World Record captures including the original women's and men's black marlin records on 1 kg (2 lb) line class, and the current junior's black marlin record on 130 lb line class (864 lbs by angler Marcus Malouf).

Predominantly a tag & release exponent, Jim's largest capture to date is a 1,289 lbs Giant Black marlin on board ORCA for Swiss angler Silvan Albrecht on November 7, 1995 - the heaviest black marlin captured during that year anywhere in the world.

Jim was instrumental in discovering and developing the fishing potential of the Cape Bowling Green billfish grounds near Townsville which rate as one of the world's leading light tackle fishing areas for Pacific sailfish and juvenile black marlin up to 50 kgs (110 lbs). His best effort for this area stands at 32 marlin tagged & released in one single day of fishing. Jim works closely with scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science near Townsville researching all aspects of marine life in the area.

Jim has also been heavily involved in the administration side of game fishing holding several positions in the Townsville Game Fishing Club since its reformation in 1980. He was awarded Life Membership of the Club in 1996.