Captain Chris "Sharky" Miles staged another come from behind burst on Day 6 to jump to the lead. He added four tags on Day 6 (100, 400, 600, 850) to bring Mauna Kea's total to 10 with one day to go also rocketing his angler, Daryl Mosley to the front in the Champion Male Angler category as well. Spartacus added another big fish (850lb) to bring their total to 9 and in clear second place. Behind them on 8 are Joe Joe, Viking and Hart Throb on countback in that order.

But the story of the day belonged to KEKOA who not only called in the first fish of the day, but called it big. Capt. Luke calling it a massive 1200lbs for angler John Wildberger. The boys on KEKOA are enjoying some big fish action this week with four fish over 800lb in the last four days.

Click on the picture on the left to go to the YouTube video of the fish. (Edit - this is the actual footage. It has now replaced the original iPhone video copy.)

Awesome stuff!

Some more notable fish on Day 6 included this one (below right 850lbs) for Jeff Murphy on Reel Chase which was one of a group of fish tailing downsea in the notably rougher swells. All three boats in the area hooked up within minutes of each other, us, Calypso and Mauna Kea. Calypso released one yesterday (500lbs) and are still in the running with 6 tags for the tournament thus far.

On Reel Chase; Alan's fish charges toward the boat (500lb) and Jeff's on the leader (850lb)

Tough luck to the boys on Iona who were 2 from 4 and congratulations to the team on Dealne who got on the scoreboard yesterday with two fish at 300 and 350lbs.

The rough weather has brought the tailing fish in once again. It will be interesting to see what today brings - the final day of the 2009 Shell Cove Lizard Island Black Marlin classic (Halloween themed fancy dress at the presentation tonight, I'll try and get photos of that too).

And lastly, Capt. Ashley Wallis on Kalira sent me these video stills from their giant black marlin on Day 5 - 1050lbs. I'll have to check with Ashley but I think this may be the first grander for the new boat. Congratulations guys awesome fish!

Kalira's 1050lb black marlin from Day 5, Thursday on the leader.

Well its all happening at the top of the leaderboard, and mostly all happening at the top of the reef as well with over half the day's fish were released on the top end.

Spartacus and Joe Joe continued their tussell adding another fish a peice on Day 5. This time Spartacus got in first, tagging and releasing an 800lb-er for Ralph Czabayski and have taken the lead with 8 tags overall. Joe Joe followed soon after with a smaller fish also bringing them to 8. Viking also added another fish to their tally on Day 5, and with their fish tagged after cease fishing on Day 4 also now counted, they are in third place with 7 tags from Castille III. On six tags on countback Hattitude is ahead of Hart Throb, Mauna Kea and Top Shot.

Notably, the sunshine coast team on board Kaizen took out Day 5 honours with three fish including a 550lb-er for David Trask. Kanahoee also released 3 fish on Day 5 in the 150-200lb range. Both Kaizen and Kanahoee are in contention on 5 tags on countback behind Calypso .

Notable fish on Day 5 include a whopping 1050lb-er for Kalira for Geoff Lindrea, a 900lb-er for Mauna Kea and a 700lb-er for Think Big to put them on the scoreboard for the first time. 25 of 27 boats are now on the scoreboard.

Outside the tournament: Not great photo quality but you get the idea, some shots from Adam on Iona 2 who has just wrapped up three days fishing on Linden Bank with three more on Wednesday at 1200(!), 300 and 150lbs and broke the double on another estimated at 400lbs. No need to ask where Adam was fishing - the Bus Stop of course.

What a day of fishing!

On Day 4 there were periods of hot bites up and down the reef and once again, there were a number of big fish amongst the mix. Capt. Trent on the original Iona kicked it all off with a grander black marlin (1050lb) less than an hour after start fishing at Number 7 Ribbon Reef. That was shortly followed by another (1000lb) for Jim Wild on Viking at Linden Bank.

Bill Collector tagged their first and second black marlin of the tournament on Day 4, the second going 950lbs to angler Dave Warner. And Kaizen also made it on the scoreboard with two fish up the top including one at 930lb (as per Bob). Kalira made it onto the board as well. KEKOA released another big girl, this 800lb-er (below right) at Number 5 and there were a few big fish dropped as well.

Calypso on a big fish they unfortunately broke of on the leader & KEKOA with John's 800lb-er.

As of cease fishing there were 23 tags for the day and three boats still hooked up including Hart Throb who unfortunately lost their battle with one well over the mark last night. They still finished on top with three fish for Day 4 to bring their total to 5 for the tournament.

On the leaderboard, Joe Joe has taken over the number 1 spot adding another 2 fish on Day 4 to bring their total to 7 tags. Spartacus follows hot on their heels also adding another two to bring them also to 7 on countback. There are a couple of boats on six being Castille III and Hattitude.

Another great photo of a team in action this time on Day 3 of the competition from Muzza on Calypso which shows KEKOA backing down on their first fish for Day 3 estimated at 900lbs for angler Jason Hassett from Melbourne. Its was a good short fight for Jason who has had his share of much longer battles (in 2008 he fought for a fish for 7 hours that Capt. Luke estimated at well over the mark before the line parted ways.) KEKOA finished with two for the day for the tournament (900 & 400) and added another (250) to their personal tally just after cease fishing. Calypso also released two nearby bringing their total to three.

Also in the big fish on Day 3, again, Hattitude released a 1,000lb-er for owner/angler Mike Dobbins. Joe Joe fought a monster through cease fishing once again and reported this morning that it was another grander, the second for the team this comp! And Castille III got back into the action with this 700lb-er for Parke.

Parke's 700lb black marlin on Castille on Day three, you can see LIzard Island behind on the right.

In all, there were 21 black marlin tagged on Day 3. Some more big fish amongst the mix which is very good to see.

Taking the lead is the team on Spartacus with 5 tags adding one fish to their tally on Day 3 leading from Joe Joe also on 5 now on countback. They are followed by Top Shot on four fish and Hattitude, Castille III and Mai Tai also on 4 in countback order.

Very important, the fleet needs your help. Australian citizens please consider urgently joining the Australian Lifestyle and Fishing Party. We need 70 more members within the next week to ensure we have a voice. Please read here for more details from Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association President Dan McCarthy.
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Outside the tournament, Iona 2 has kept on big fish alert (original Iona is fishing the tournament with Capt. Trent and released one yesterday). Capt. Adam recorded his second grander on the new boat at Linden Bank (photo left - a video still) with a fish they called 1100lbs released.

They also released a smaller fish at 350lb and jumped 4 off, had another one up and jumped a sailfish off!

On Tradition, the crew fish is running red hot as well. Fishing north of Jewell, they saw 7, had double header of 120lb dogtooth and a marlin on the 50lb pitch bait - the doggie stole the scad form the marlin on the camera. Later, they pulled off one about 700 or so and let one go about 900 on top of Jewell just before dark.

Again day 2 started slow with no fish recorded on the first sked but a flurry of small fish started soon after. Moana III was first on the board for the day with a solid 500lb-er for angler Andrei Grigoriev. By the 3pm sked Spartacus was 5-5-3 for the day with smaller black marlin in the 150-200lb range including a double header. Then the bigger fish started to show up and in the last half hour of fishing, some big fish were tagged or still fighting.

Hattitude, with Capt. Kim Andersen at the helm released one estimated at 800lb. John Hendry on Shaka sent me this picture of Hattitude in action on a fish earlier in the afternoon that they lost. Its something to see a 65ft Hatteras going backwards like that.

Hart Throb hooked up at just a few minutes to go before cease fishing and successfully tagged an 800lb-er as well for Chris Hart, one of two for the day. Capt. Corey on Askari likewise hooked up just before cease fishing but it wasn't until about 3 hours later that we heard his call on the radio to report the successful tag and release of another 1000lb black marlin at Number 2 Ribbon Reef.

While Spartacus took out Champion Boat for the day, its Top Shot who have now taken the lead also with 3 fish on day 2 (to 300lb) to take their total so far to 4. In second place is Castille from Spartacus, Joe Joe and Hattitude on countback with 3 tags.

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Outside the tournament, Cool Runnings released an 180lb-er south of Linden Bank for angler Karen who was still smiling hours later. Also at Linden Bank, Capt. Adam is back from his overseas trip and on Iona II and released a 150lb-er and missed another two including one that Adam said was way over the scale. On Sunday Adam was back at his favourite spot, the Bus Stop, where they released three massive whalers on 50lb standup.

Tradition fished north at Hicks Reef releasing this one he called 550lb.

And on the Sunshine Coast, Capt. Robert Smith on Triton IV has reported his first juvenile black marlin of the season at the top of Fraser Island.

Greetings to the good fisherman of Phuket, Capt. Hook from Alan on Reel Chase!

Castille III backs down on Parke's 950lb-er on Day 1 of the Lizard Island Tournament.

If you were following the tweets on Day 1, you'll know that the day started out a little slow (there were no tags reported on the first sked) and then there was a little flurry of action in the afternoon that resulted in 15 tags for the day. The early fish were all small males but in the afternoon some of the big girls showed up including this one for Castille III, who were on fire with three tags for the day, a 600lb-er for Hattitude and a 550lb-er for Hard to Swallow all around the 5pm mark.

Capt. Dean on Castille sent me this pic from a video still on board the boat. Its not a high quality picture, but you can get an idea of the size of the fish. More images to come.

Also of note, young Daniel Carlson at the helm on Little Audrey for the first time steered the team to two fish.

The final standings for Day 1 are Castille III leading with 3 tags, and in countback order, Little Audrey 2 tags, Hattitude 2 tags, Reel Chase, Hot Shot, Watchdog, Calypso, Maitai, Top Shot, Hard to Swallow and Bill Collector.

Joe Joe was hooked up at cease fishing but I'm not sure what happpened with the fish. We heard this morning that it was successfully released and that it's another entry for the 'Thousand Pounder' club at 1100lbs!
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Outside the tournament, Capt. Steve on Kianja released his team's second 700lb-er for the week for the boys from Fish Head Tackle Store.

A picture from Steve with Tim Wagner on the wire.

Also doing some crew fishing on their time off, the boys on Tradition released three fish on Day Reef.

And some news from Capt. Tom Francis on Ultimate Lady who have left Brisbane and are heading north. Tom reports they have been doing some more fishing at Mellish Reef which is where they captured the grander blue marlin in 2008 (read the story here - go to Oct 22, 2008). Fishing Wednesday last week they released a 700lb-er and on Thursday two 300lb-ers and a 500lb-er from 5 bites, raising a couple more including a decent fish that didn't bite.

As always we look forward to seeing the big blue boat coming over the horizon!

Much of the fleet is now gathered in Watson's Bay at Lizard Island this morning as we await the sailpast and Day 1 of the Shell Cove Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic.

For many boats it was a direct trip to the island, no fishing but for the few who fished the top end there were still some fish around. KEKOA stuck there hooks in two and Calypso also released one in the 600lb range.

For Shaka, it’s been a while, but the wait was worth it. Fishing from Number 5 Ribbon Reef at around 1pm the big girl - around 950lb - (and her smaller companion) turned up. She grabbed the big bait and took off, only to drop it after a short run. Smart work by Andy on the handline saw her back again, and this time she didn’t mess around. With the circle hook planted firmly in the corner of her jaw, she set off for the horizon with Capt. Jared in hot pursuit. After a great fight they had her to the boat within 20 minutes, tagged, released and off to fight another day.

Photo a still from the video by Ant.

Stay tuned for updates from the tournament today.

Not too many reports from the reef today as many boats re-stock and changeover in preparation for the tournament. We were joined in Watson's Bay last night by Castille III, Moana III, Reel Ripe. Many more are in today for the briefing this evening.

Capt. Tim Dean heads to the rock after a few top days on Calypso with three fish in the 9-950lb range. Yesterday, Capt. Steve on Kianja got one about 700lb on Number 5 Ribbon and Capt. Tim Richardson tells me he saw 6 yesterday including a nice big one with two males along side but no bites form them. He released a small on on Number 10.

Mike Hallam skipper of trailer boat Reel Nice sent me this pic of an estimated 300lb-er they got for angler Steven Woody while the weather was still good (looking great for next week too!) This was Stevens first billfish and was released at Linden Bank last Wednesday.

The view from on the way to Cook's Look on Lizard Island this morning

The fishing is still hot hot hot and the action has moved down the reef.

Watchdog finished their trip with their Tasmanian visitors on a high with four for the day including one over 800lbs and a sailfish on Number 7. Brett reports they saw many more. At Number 5, Reel Ripe did likewise with going four from four with one a piece for his anglers - 800lbs for Shane Thompson, 700lb for Campbell Parker, 150lb for Peter Parker and 250lb for Brendan White! Also in the middle Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso released another big fish yesterday at 950lbs.

Back at Number 10: Boats fishing up from the bottom were Tradition and KEKOA. Capt. Tim went two from 4 while Capt. Luke release the one early in the day and battled rubber hook syndrome for several others. Capt. Luke also tells me he saw the boys on Iona II release a big one at 10 as well.

Fishing from the top, the Lizard Island boat came back into the island with two tag flags flying, releasing fish at 700 & 400lb for their anglers. Spartacus with one tag flag also. Capt. Darren on Allure tells me they went one from two at 800lbs and lost the other of similar size. Capt. Darren also reports they released one that would go the mark earlier in the week adding him to the grander list.

The fishing is just getting better and better.
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Fraser Coast
Some news from Barry Alty and the team on Mistress on the Gold Coast who have been getting into some more blue marlin off Breaksea Spit. The boys went two from three blues (and two yellowfin) Thursday including one about 350lbs that charged the boat twice but didn't do any damage because the bill was above the coverboards!

The reef is on fire!

Right on cue for the Lizard Island tournament the big fish are showing up with the rumor mill reporting 5 granders released on Number 10 Ribbon yesterday! Confirmed from Capt. Dean Beech on Castille III who released this one (pictured) that he called 1100lbs. With Craig 'Pirate' Smith on board, the team got plenty of action on film!

Also at Number 10 and with anglers from Tasmania on board for their second year, Watchdog was last seen backing off out wide. Brett later reported that angler Nigel, accompanying the boys on his first trip to the reef released his very first Cairns black marlin that Capt. Brian Felton called 1050lbs after an hours fight.

Down on Number 7, Tradition and KEKOA each released smaller blacks and had bites from other fish and are no doubt moving up to 10 today, as are many of the fleet who are making their way to Lizard for the tournament.

The countdown to the tournament which starts Sunday is now on, and with the run up to the full moon at the end of the month the fishing should continue to be great.

Some pics from Capt. Dean Beech of Castille III's 600lb-er Monday and a perspective on the weather. It never looks rough in pictures. A few boats braved the rough conditions yesterday while a larger number took shelter behind the reef. KEKOA released another smaller fish, Capt. Luke fishing from the flybridge rather than the tower for a change. The good news is the weather looks like coming back to glamour for the Lizard Island tournament which starts Sunday.

From a very ordinary day on the water Capt. Dean Beech on Castille III reports there are still more fish being seen. The team on Castille went two from three at 350 and 600lbs yesterday and pulled the hooks a real big one. KEKOA got amongst a group of smaller fish and released two from 6 and Capt. Ross Finlayson on Top Shot is also in Cooktown on changeover after another fly fishing trip and had one on the fly yesterday.

Down at Number 2 Ribbon Reef, Capt. Tim Ryan released another for Hiroshi on Reel Ripe, this time a smaller model at 150lbs and the original Iona also fishing Number 2, released two smaller fish as well.

David on Cool Runnings sent me some pics from their latest trip which they finished yesterday. Awesome shots David - keep them coming!

After weeks of perfect weather, it was only a matter of when it would blow and that day came Sunday. With winds reaching 25 knots, the fish have been blown right onto the edge. Capt. Luke on KEKOA told me its been quite a few years since he's seen so many fish in the one day - he saw in the range of 20 fish, mostly tailing in the rough seas. Capt. Luke raised 4, had three bites and released two at 250 and 350lbs. Calypso also ended the day at Number 5 Ribbon and went 2 from 4 including another big fish Capt. Tim Dean estimated at 900lbs. Rough weather but good fishing!

Capt. Tim Richardson on Tradition saw 4 fish and fought this one to the boat where she was spooked by a smaller fish and pulled the hooks. Also making their way in the same direction down from Number 10, Askari spent the morning loading up on baits for the upcoming Lizard Island tournament and also released two in the afternoon at 300 and 350lbs.

The other big fish for the day went to Capt. Tim Ryan on Reel Ripe who released an estimated 900lb-er for Japanese angler Hiroshi Ogawa at Number 2 Ribbon Reef. Capt. Tim tells me they had three bites and jumped off the other two. The big fish was caught on a queenie which angler Hiroshi had caught earlier in the day on one of his home made lures - a pearl shell with skirt attached!

Anchoring at South Opal last night Cool Runnings recorded a 500lb-er Sunday with Capt. Troy seeing two others that wouldn't take the bait. Meanwhile Wild Turkey took out the Cairns BlueWater tournament with the only competition fish of the weekend estimated at 500lbs. Crewman Jay Edwards tells me that trailer boat Spread Em fought a 600lb-er for an hour on stand-up 80 before the line parted while Capt. Maris Naish steered his accountant to another Cairns black just before wrapping up on Sunday at Spur Reef on board Halcion 5.

More updates from last week

Pictures of two fish on Iona II with Capt. Trent now at the wheel from Saturday at Linden Bank. Rhino on the camera for these two both released estimated 550 and 250lbs.

Left: Townsville GF club members have been taking advantage of the good weather to get out to Myrmidon Reef. As with last year, the fishing seems to be pretty good with most boats getting a couple of shots a day and catching a couple. Mark Parkes on his boat Mojo was one such boat taking advantage of the good weather late last week, tagging two on Thursday (150 and this one at 400lbs).

Right: A picture from Capt. Dean Beech of Kenton on the leader on Castille III with the 400lb-er caught on a lure off Lizard Island last week.

Back to Capt. Chris 'Sharky' Miles who back on the reef after enjoying some days off after some real solid fishing this season with 16 in 14 days. Angler Gavan enjoyed some real good fishing on board Mauna Kea earlier this month and came back with some awesome shots, including these of a fish they battled on a big fish day.

A dogtooth approaches TowCam and a black marlin lit up before taking the scad.

Capt. Tim Ryan on Reel Ripe reports that dedication from his Japanese angler Hiroshi Ogawa, who brought his own tackle and lures to the reef, paid off yesterday with a 450lb-er off Escape Reef. Also down that way, Cool Runnings follow up on a quieter Friday to also release a 450lb-er for their angler.

Off Number 7 Ribbon Reef we came across Watchdog on Saturday. Brett tells me they caught a real nice dog tooth tuna and a 600lb black marlin wide of Number 9 Ribbon Friday. We also heard from Askari who released a small fish (350lb) on a lure off Number 8 Friday and fished the bottom of Number 10 yesterday pulling the hooks on a 800lb-er after a few minutes. We're in Cooktown today.

There are still a few big fish making their presence known daily up and down the reef. On Friday, the action was again at Number 10 Ribbon Reef where Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso, fishing on the 'Marks', released a fish he called 950lb++. (Number 10 Ribbon Reef is 18 mile long and in pre GPS days the 'Marks' was identified by lining up High Island and the Direction Islands, hence its name.) I'm expecting some photos from Tim soon.

Also fishing at 10 Capt. Jared on Shaka released this fish for John at 350lb and Capt. Tim Richardson on Tradition released a fish for anger Dan on his 60th birthday. At Number 8, Capt. Dean on Castille III released one estimated at 400lbs.

(And to top it off Capt. Tim on Calypso just released a sailfish this morning before breakfast as well!)

Yesterday, among the 15 or so boats fishing at Linden Bank, the fish gods smiled kindly on Cool Runnings who hooked up twice in the middle of the fleet releasing a 350lb-er. Later in the day they hooked a bigger fish estimated at 800lb for angler Peter, his first black marlin, but after a 50 minute fight in shallow water on top of Linden Bank the fish was lost close to the boat. A few boats also caught little fish including Gorilla but the tuna didn't even stir until after 4 o'clock.

Up the other end, on Number 10, it was Kaizen in the fish with two for the day - fighting a big one at Heartbreak at dusk. KEKOA released a 350lb-er nearby and down on Number 8, Castille III pullled the hooks on a 700lb-er. Tradition fished Day and Hicks Reefs yesterday, still seeing the fish but not making the conversions.

Shell Cove Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic
The Lizard Island tournament starts at the end of next week. We're really excited about it, its such an awesome tournament, now in its 23rd year. I'll be tweeting live reports daily as the tournament progresses, you can check back for those tweets here or follow me on Twitter.

For anyone who has the time and is interested in fishing this wonderful event:

Capt. Chris "Sharky" Miles on Mauna Kea has had a late cancellation for half of his share charter for the tournament. They just need one more angler. Sharky is a past winner of the tournament and narrowly missed a hat-trick in 2007. Anyone interested, please call Sharky on 0427 572 684.

Capt. Tim Richardson on Tradition also has the tournament dates available. Tradition also finished in the placings last year and took out Champion Female Angler as well. Contact Tim on 0427 758 768 or visit his website.

With the calm conditions, there were a lot of boats at Linden Bank and not much action especially on the tuna front. Around 4pm a school of yellowfin popped up in front of the Reel Chase and we managed to get out feather in front of them and pick up a jellybean sized yellowfin. No sooner had we got him in the water, we started adjusting the camera and yells from in front of the TV indicated a marlin was zeroing in on him straight away. Along side us the boys on Reel Ripe also got a first hand view as the marlin took four goes to catch the tuna. It was a very tough hour long fight for racing car identity and TowCam principal John Faulkner, hauling it up and onto the leader three times (from where she was very comfortable on pole cam view sitting down beneath the boat.) We have some good tow cam and pole cam footage and photos to sort through for later.

Also on the Bank, Iceman released a smaller fish as did Dealne with Capt. Tiger. Capt. Dan on Moana III was on his way back in from the sea mount and mid-conversation on the radio when we heard his crew shout the bite. They released one about 300lb at Jenny Louise just on dark.

I also heard from Capt. Ross on Top Shot running in on changeover yesterday who is reporting good fishing with one or two a day, mostly mid-range fish. In the last few days he's released a 400lb-er and 450lb-er at Number 10. Also at Number 10 yesterday, private boat Hattitude released a little one and both Tradition and KEKOA marking good fish but not keeping the hooks in.

And a report from Joe Joe fishing at the top of hicks on Monday seeing 7 fish, hooking 5 and releasing - one at 200lb and one at 900lb. Capt. Barry also reports they caught a 130lb dog tooth tuna on a skipping spanish mackerel!

Myrmidon Reef, Townsville

Video stills from the boys on OB26 in the surrounds of Myrmidon Reef
on Tuesday - thanks Mat for the pics.

More from what is shaping up to be a good heavy tackle season down Townsville way as well. On Tuesday the O'Brien Boats team christened Leigh's custom OB26 with its first big fish releasing a 500lb-er for Pete. Arriving at Myrmidon Monday, the boys were up and fishing by 7am Tuesday and got the bite around 10:30am. The boys also missed a smaller fish about 200lb later in the day. A few more boats are taking advantage of the good weather to head out today.

Reports from the top end yesterday with Capt. Tim on Tradition releasing one about 550lbs at the top of Number 10 and Allure and the Island Boat also releasing fish. Capt. Dan on Moana has gone for a wander out to the Sea Mount taking advantage of the once again of the glorious weather to get out wide reporting bites from two big fish on the way.

Ben (Notso) who will be joining us again on the reef a little later in the season has also sent me some news from some of his bluewater fishing over Weipa way.

In two days he's seen 3 sails and a 250lb black. One of sails was only 5 kg or so and only about a metre long! He caught this one (pic) on a skipping bonito, got bites from others casting soft plastics to free feeding fish. They caught a barra about an hour and a 1/4 hours after the sail. I bet not too many people have done that!

We'll be seeking out some of the same when we're over there next year.

Just a couple of quick reports because I'm on the road today and haven't heard too much from the fleet.

Capt. Dean on Castille III went one from three yesterday estimated at 300lb and was unlucky to loose two more close to the boat (500 and 600lb). A few more fish seen up that way.

And down at Number 1, Shaka had three goes at this guy who was keen to follow for a while but not bite, finally getting him hooked and to the boat.

The reef grapevine was alive last night after Capt. Peter B reported the first confirmed Grander+ release of the 2009 season just after 6pm at Number 10 Ribbon Reef. This is topping off a great two days for Peter and his team on Sea Baby IV. Saturday, they also released three estimated at 900, 800 and 400lb. Capt. Darren on the Allure was the first to bring me the news upon his return to Cooktown for changeover last night. Darren also gave me more details about his own four fish from Saturday, one at 800lb and three smaller fish. Unfortunately none on Sunday.

The fishing seems to be good for one boat one day and for another the next, good at Lena Saturday and Number 10 Ribbon on Sunday.

At Number 7 Ribbon, Capt. Dean on Castille III had a good start to the day with a fish straight off the bat but quiet for the rest of the day. At Number 2 Capt. Luke on KEKOA went one from four estimated at 300lbs and sent me this pic of one of the bites on the underwater TowCam. At Opal Ridge Capt. Tim on Reel Ripe released a 250lb-er for Canberra-based angler John Meads and reported a couple of more bites.

And down at the Bank, Capt. Dan on Moana III finally had the bite from the big fish on the live yellowfin bait only to have the wire break shortly after. Turning around the team did manage to release a good fish after estimated at 650lb. Nearby Kalira went two from two, 150 and 350lb.

Capt. Tim on Tradition saw a couple caught on boats at the top of Number 2 Ribbon as his team started a new trip after changeover. He'd like to mention he has the Lizard Island dates available - Oct 24-31 if anyone wants to fish.

More reports of fish tailing through the Bank and up the Ribbons with the big seas yesterday. Capt. Luke on KEKOA definitely having a close look, raising 8 with bites from three that fell off and seeing a few more tailers. Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso also reporting that it looks great with fish moving (tailing) all along. Capt. Tim saw 8 and got bites from 3 and released two. One estimated at 800lbs and angler Peter Collins first Cairns black marlin, as well as another 300lb-er. Capt. Jared on Shaka also reports seeing Spartacus fighting another on 50lb into the dark before unfortunately breaking it off.

Further up the reef - At Lena, Capt. Corey on Askari recorded the first big fish for the new boat releasing a 900lb-er and having bites out of some other smaller fish. On Allure Capt. Darren also saw good numbers of fish between Number 3 and 4 Ribbons releasing four for the day. Capt. Tim on Tradition finished their trip with Lydie and Pete dropping two on the final day. Lydie will try again for the record next year! And Capt. Dean on Castille missed a 500lb-er at Number 4.

Could be the start of another hot bite!

Report from Capt. Dean on Castille III who headed back out to the reef from Cooktown yesterday and put the baits in at Number 4 just after 12 and had released a 200lb-er by 12:30. By the end of the day they had seen 6 including another about 500lb that they jumped off. Iona also caught another smaller fish at Number three. Allure had some luck the day before releasing 2 at Number 5, but no joy Friday.

The fish may be moving further up into the Ribbons as we had another quieter day on the Bank yesterday (although the yellowfin were going off). Shaka headed out again and went one from one on a small black for John and watched Wee Jock fight a fish for over two hours nearby.

Picture: Left, Kenton on the leader at the back of Castille. Right, Steve's bull whaler on Reel Chase

Persistence paid off for the team on Castille III. After a week at the top end, on the last day they released a 900lb-er for owner Mark after a short but exciting 15 minute fight. The team returned to Cooktown overnight for changeover with cheesy grins! Big congrats guys!

Also at the top, Tradition is still chasing the 50lb record for Lydie who celebrated her engagement to Pete Wednesday with two tags, not of record size. Congratulations to Lydie and Pete!

A much quieter day at the bottom end. At Linden Bank, on Reel Chase we met only two other boats, Iceman and Dealne. We saw Dealne fighting a 600l-er for over an hour but they were still fighting when we returned to port for the day. A highlight for us was, after an absolutely amazing effort enduring standup 50 for 45 minutes, angler Steve bringing to the boat this tuna stealer - a 9 foot bull whaler shark weighing approximately 600lb. We got some more great TowCam pole-cam footage beside the boat.

Picture from Capt. Dean on Castille III of Castille and Tradition on anchor in the lee of Lizard Island enjoying some of what the island has to offer including a hike up Cook's Look and a snorkel on the Clam Gardens. Heading out after lunch, Castille fished Day reef, pulling the hooks on two fish - one big, one small. Heading back to Number 10 Ribbon again today where Capt. Ross on Top Shot had some luck yesterday as well.

A few more boats enjoying rest days and so a quiet day on the report side.

Following up from a big fish day on Linden Bank Saturday, Capt. Luke on KEKOA was keen to get amongst the action. And he did going three from three by 2 o'clock. The mack tunas were thick at the opening to Opal Reef as Capt. Luke headed out from the anchorage and made perfect marlin candy for all three marlin estimated at 150, 200 and 300lbs. Nearby Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso went one from one estimated at 400lbs and Hot Shot released a small one as well.

Meanwhile, Capt. Troy on Cool Runnings decided to leave the bank and push north finding almost instant success, again for 18 year old angler Jye Clayden with another big fish estimated at 750lb (and Jye's 77th marlin).

Photo: Left, a video still of Lydie's fish on Tradition. Right, Nathan's fish on Reel Chase.

Back up at the top, Tradition, still chasing the 50lb record for Lydie had five bites, connected with three and tagged this one (left) estimated at 400lb at the top of Number 10 Ribbon.

On Reel Chase, having watched his Dad release a black marlin, 15 year old Nathan was keen to get his first. Typically, the bite came as Dave and I were busy cleaning and filleting the morning's sportfishing catch, as we trolled lures to make some ground back to St. Crispins Reef. Unfortunately as with lures, you don't catch them all and after a thrilling acrobatic display and hard fight by Nathan it was gone---!

Capt. Bat on his trailer boat Valhalla thought his luck was in when a 700lb-er launched out of the water at the back of the boat while fishing Linden Bank on Saturday. As he waited for the inevitable snap from the rigger clip and his rods to come tight, he realized that he wasn't using a spanish mackerel for bait. He then watched as the free feeding fish slowly swam around and engulfed the stunned mackerel.

And in Townsville (updated):
Nine Townsville GFC boats had a busy weekend for their Billfish Bonanza fishing the surrounds of Myrmidon Reef. Most boats were in the marlin for the weekend although unfortunately most of them were outgunned in the tackle department - leaving some interesting stories about the one that got away. The boys on Viagra lost a nice yellowfin tuna at the side of the boat to an estimated 700lb marlin who needed it more than they did. For the others, 3-4hours on a fish leading to disappointment when the lines parted.

Club Junior, Jack Nicolosi who was fishing with his mum, dad a little brother aboard there boat ENVEE, hooked an estimated 700 plus black on 24kg standup. Jack fought the fish for 3 hours and although got the leader on the rod several times, they were unable to get a tag in it due to the lack of crew on board. Unfortunately in the end, Jack had to hand the rod to his dad Sam to finish off. Never-the-less it was an awesome effort and a great experience for the youngster.

In total there were 17 hookups with only the one tag to the team on Burgundy Lady, estimated at 600lb on 50 (the club members are primarily light tackle fishermen).

Trailer boat ELE took out the Champion Team award after accumulating points on light tackle including a 23kg wahoo and several large spaniards to 30kg. Thanks to Talina for the rest of the details!

In good weather, the bank can be an awesome place to fish. It is just 35 miles from Cairns and even if you're on a day trip or overnighter, a popular destination.

And, if you're not catching yourself, you can alway enjoy the view of what is going on next door.

John on Shaka sent me this pic during a lull during the day of a trailer boat hooked up on a giant black marlin, estimated at about 650lb, Linden Bank style. Unfortunately, not long after, the fish was lost and John took a moment to sit down at his email and send me this pic.


No sooner had he hit the send button than Capt. Jared pointed Shaka to one of their own, hitting paydirt for angler Dave Tuthill on his first ever black marlin. Picture of Ant on the leader with the big girl, estimated at 950lbs. The fish was released in great shape after a 35 minute fight.

Also on the Bank, Capt. Luke on KEKOA reported a massive bite on the stinger out of a fish he estimated at 700lbs, unfortunately they pulled the hooks soon after. It wasn't any consolation to see the Capt. Tiger hook up next to him soon after and release one they called 800lb. Askari finished their reef fishing trip Thursday bagging out on coral trout and red emperor, and the guys were glad to head out to the Bank for some marlin fishing Friday, raising three and pulling the hooks on one after 5 minutes. News also from Shane that The Force is in town with new owners Doug and Deb from Port Stephens and it has not forgotten how to raise fish going one from one est. at 300lbs on their first day on the Bank.

Heading up the reef yesterday, it was quieter near the middle, we ended up at Number 3 Ribbon. Nathan did it again during the mornings sport fishing-fest landing the largest spanish mackerel we've seen in a long time as well as the full compliment of smaller spanish, northern bluefin tuna, coral trout etc. We came across Sunshine Coast boat Kaizen who joined us fishing at Number 3. Kaizen released smaller fish the day before at St. Crispins on their way up. We'll be heading back that way today as we return to Cairns on Monday.

Back up at the top of Number 10 Ribbon, Capt. Dean on Castille saw 8 marlin (mainly tailers) converting one, a 300lb-er for Katie, which indicates a number of fish are moving into the northern area. Nearby, Capt. Tim on Tradition has welcomed back Lydie and Pete, all the way from China. Lydie is chasing the 50lb women's world record (needing 880lbs or better). Saturday, they had two bites and fought a 500lb-er into the dark, getting the fish up close a couple of times but losing it when it went straight down and popped the line.

On the reef overnight, its been extremely calm again. As Capt. Luke said, we're all doing donuts on the anchor because theres no wind to keep up pointed one way or another.

Fraser, Kathy and Jim are joining us again on Reel Chase in 2009. For Jim's son Nathan "The Fish Magnet", it's his first trip but for the others, after 3 years fishing with us they certainly know what they want to do by now. And, on Day 1 we managed to check almost all of the boxes.

After putting in the lures for some light tackle fishing (resulting in some good spanish mackerel) we put the marlin lures out and steamed North trying to make it as far up the reef as possible. On the way we picked up a triple header of yellowfin tuna (the third destroyed the laser pro we were running down the middle) and another XOS wahoo. Just off the tip of St. Crispins Reef, I was up the tower delivering a snack to Capt. Jim when we saw 200lb marlin pile on the left rigger and (angler) Jim was on! After some early energetic jumps, the marlin managed to get itself tail wrapped which made it tough for Jim in the chair, pulling it in backwards. But he soldiered on, getting the fish to the boat as fast as possible where we swam it for a while to get the water moving through the gills in the correct direction again, and watched it swim off. We anchored overnight at Escape and head a bit further north today.

As we moved through Linden Bank, Capt. Jim marked a couple of fish on the edge of the yellowfin schools and we had a bite out of another small fish and we saw Capt. Darren (Biggles) on Allure hook up nearby successfully releasing a smaller fish as well. In the afternoon, Cool Runnings also had success at the bank releasing one estimated at 250lb for angler Jye Claydon, a former champion junior angler from Newcastle/Port Stephens GFC four years running. This fish marks Jye's 76th marlin! Also fishing the bank Tiger added another fish to his collection.

The weather is once again fantastic and no doubt because of the weekend the local boats will be out joining the charter fleet in force!

Capt. Tim Ryan, on another day trip ex-Port Douglas, sent me this still from the video footage of the 600lb-er they released yesterday at Opal Ridge for Melbourne angler Tom Cuttigieg. Joining Capt. Tim on the Reel Ripe this year is Dan Klein on deck and Nick Duram yesterday. They were certainly enjoying the action.

Also in the action yesterday, this time on Linden Bank was the team on Cool Runnings releasing a 450lb-er. The team are heading out for an extended trip today. Also on the bank, Capt. Allan “Tiger” Geale on a private boat from Port Douglas released a smaller fish as well. Tradition made it up to Number 5 with a couple of bites at Number 4 on the way but no conversions.

KEKOA returned from their six day trip with Brendan and Stu enthused by all the action, in addition to their marlin enjoying non-stop action for the light tackle fishing behind the reef (mackerel, GTs, wahoo, coral trout..) The boys on Calypso also returned yesterday from their trouting adventure. On Reel Chase, we're heading out this morning and making our way north.