As we get away from the full moon a few more fish are showing up. Brilliant Company scored another big fish on Number 4. Sea Baby and Kekoa both caught good fish on the top of Number 5 while Tradition caught one about 650 at Number 8.

Boats on the bank all reported a couple of strikes and most caught at least one fish. Boats further North on 9 and 10 report very little.

Photo: Kekoa's fish jumping in front of the setting sun with Brendan in the chair and Adam on wire.

The big story still appears to be large concentration of Black Marlin Southeast of the Sea Mount including a large school of Pilot Whales. Hopefully someone like the Ultimate Lady will be checking out this concentration of fish shortly.

Meanwhile on Reel Chase trolling out wide we found this log with David and Simon both releasing Dolphin Fish in the 30lb range and the trout spearing continues to be above average providing plenty of delicious meals for all on board.

Notice how this little guy's fin is actually inside the boat in the RHS picture! A very excitable fish for Dave around lunchtime gave us some good entertainment. After a hit and virtual miss on the livebait he went racing off with the line only snagged over his bill and the tuna dragging behind before a few of his more entertaining jumps freed the tuna but brought the hook up to better position. Keeping light on the drag, Dave and Capt. Jim kept on him as we followed him around at full speed backwards before getting the tag in and letting him go only to have him try and climb aboard!

That was to be all our excitement for the day. In the middle Ribbons, the fishing was once again pretty quiet for the fleet gathered around Number 5. In 'Ya Dreams went on a big overnight trip wide to 20 mile East of Lena and found three bigs ones for their efforts including an 800lb-er before breakfast!

Promising news: The longliners report seeing a lot of Marlin along with Pilot Whales in a line from the SeaMount to MacDermott Banks. Hopefully the Southeast blow due tomorrow night will push these fish to the Ribbon Reefs where we are all eagerly waiting!

The weather is glamour, the fishing is not.

I've missed a few days reporting due to the internet black hole at Number 3 Ribbon but there has not been too much too report. On a good note, the fish that are being seen are large fish.

Friday saw Little Rossi on Top Shot score an 1100lb-er and at least 5 other boats hook up on big fish on a day when very little fish were seen.

Photo from Kekoa, Gary fighting another fish on 16lb late last week.

With another slow fishing day we thought we'd review some video footage from Moose's trip last year to get us in the mood. We fished Lena through to Number 2 Ribbon with a beautiful live tuna all day. Needless to say, this is the only jumping Marlin that we saw.

With other boats now spread far and wide along the reef in search of the main body of fish, Calypso reported seeing a number of small fish at Number 8, while Iona and Maratimo both encountered fish out wide of the reefs. They also reported the current raging south about 5 mile out which has been non existent along the edge since the wind came up. The magnificent Ultimate Lady is heading wide early this morning in search of the tuna aggregation and the long-liners. Hopefully the marlin will also be there.

On another slow day, at least it was our turn to catch a big fish. This 950lb-er for our lucky angler Tony just after lunch. After a spectacular bite where she missed the bait on the first go, she came back to try again and launched herself out of the water. But that was it for the show. Surprised to find herself hooked up, the best she did was to get her shoulders out of the water for a massive head shake or two. Another bite soon followed but we failed to hook up and that was our day.

Reports from elsewhere were of slow days all round with little fish caught.

At least the weather is good for the next few days.

We left Lizard with Moose on the boys on board to head back down to the lower Ribbons and hopefully to find some of the bigger fish. The weather is improving but it was still pretty tough going against the sea all day as we made our way down Number 10.

The hard slog was broken by some energetic marlin action with a couple of 250lb-ers for Tony and Paul to start off their trip. A good start and good practice for the boys on their first day back on the reef.

With most of the boats heading into Cooktown yesterday for changeover, we expect to see everyone back out here again today.

Congrats to the team on Kanahoee who took home Champion Boat/Team with 9 Tags. They were closely followed by Maratimo (Runner Up) with 8 Tags from other boats also on 8 Tags Calypso, Mistress, Viking II and Mauna Kea. Tradition finished at 7 on 7 Tags.

As for the make up of the individual placings: Champion Male Angler was Brent Moorehouse on Viking II from runner up Anthony on Mauna Kea and Champion Female Suzy Clark on Fascination II from runner-up Janet Forster on Longshot.

We're heading back out to fish Number 10 today and I'm looking forward to some better weather and getting away from the immediate vicinity of the radio today. A lot of sore heads in Watson's bay this morning!

The action hots up at the top of the leader-board!

Not content to give up on a possible third win at Lizard Island in a row, Sharky has been steadily clawing his way through the field to finish just one fish off the pace at the end of fishing yesterday. In the progress he's proved that while Tenancious may very well be a good fish raising boat, this time at the helm of Maratimo 55, he fishes well in this tournament full stop!

Fishing at Hicks for most of the day yesterday, I did not hear a single sked and so I have to thank Deano etc for relays for these updated standings. I believe champion boat for the day would be either Maratimo or Mauna Kea with 3 fish each - on count-back I suspect it would be given to Maratimo. Calypso has also been sneaking up the ladder with steady results daily. Another two yesterday put them right up there as well - but Kanahoee is not giving up easily with two as well.

Other boats with fish for the day included: Tradition, Ultimate Lady (two early), Castille, Maiti (two I believe), Moana, Joker, Joe-Joe (tender's back), Little Audrey, Reel Ripe, Iona, Viking II (two on the last sked), Lucy West, Kohara and Jag.

On the way in tournament base was kind enough to give us the provisional standings at the top of the leader-board which were: Kanahoee on 9, Maratimo, Tradition and Calypso on 8. There are a few on 7 as well so no doubt it's going to come down to the wire!

A quieter day fishing yesterday - I recorded just the 19 fish for the day - and with the weather coming through again in the afternoon, it's gone from 20 knots to a howling 30 knots this morning. We're not feeling terribly keen to get out there today and can certainly commiserate with a member of the fleet who we saw departing the Rock this morning in the wee hours in search of their tender which had managed to outsmart two ropes overnight.

I have Maratimo on top with 3 tags for Day 5. Followed by Mistress and Tradition with another 2. My effort for the entire fleet standings is as follows (I will correct it as I get more information - I am sure there will be some corrections especially from boats fishing North above Number 10 and apologize in advance):-

7 Tags: Kanahoee, 6 Tags: Tradition, Calypso, 5 Tags: Fascination, Maratimo, Joe-Joe, 4 Tags: Viking II, Iona, Jag, Little Augdrey, Moana, The Ultimate, Mistress, 3 Tags: Billfish, Hellraiser, Game Over, Mauna Kea, 2 Tags: Reel Chase, Think Big, Shaka, Nuvatu, Outside Edge, 1 Tag: Ar-Dee, Longshot, Hard to Swallow, Kohara, Castille, Ultimate Lady, Reel Ripe, My Mistress, Lucy West, and Maitai. Genie disqualified their fish yesterday.

I have no photos after a few very quiet days for us. We sighted just the single fish yesterday who followed our Scad for a good while before swimming off. As usual fishing Number 10 we did experience some pretty spectacular chop-offs though.

As the boats begin to congregate at the top of the Ribbons for the run into the Rock tonight for the fuel barge, the most consistent fishing is shaping up on Number 10. This is where we'll be fishing today before the run in - after a few fish-less days, we'll also be looking for a change in luck!

On Day 4, I recorded 26 tags for the fleet which I think is pretty accurate (but I'll update if I learn any different - my apologies in that case!) Mauna Kea definitely was on a hot trot hooking up in the region of 8 times including a double header to record two tags for the day and in addition disqualifying an extra fish. Tradition may have finished top for the day also with two tags on countback from Calypso, Jo-Jo, Moana and Kanahoee as well. With one fish for the day were Little Audrey, Nuvatu, Ar-Dee, Ultimate Lady, Mistress, Jag, Iona, Castille, Outside Edge, Billfish, Game Over and Fascintation II. Think Big also tagged one estimated at 800lbs in an exciting fight that saw the fish swim through the opening in the reef and tag it on the inside!

On my calculations this should bring the leader-board to Kanahoee in the lead with 7 tags, Fascination II from Calypso on countback with 5 tags and at least, Viking, Mauna Kea, Iona and Tradition on 4 tags.

Back down South on board Kekoa: Another potential World Record was hooked at 11:30 at the front of Pearl Reef.

After eating the teaser bait and the team successfully switched the Big Girl, estimated at 900lbs, onto a deadbait but she dropped it straight away. A bit wary, she stayed behind the boat following but seemingly disinterested until a quick rig up and pitch of a live Rainbow Runner got her interested again and Gary was on - 16lb on a 900lb-er. After that it was all backing out to sea and they ended up about 20 miles out from Number 3. The team got pretty close at one stage just outside leader range but unfortunately broke it off right on dark - fatigue on the line after a massive 7 hours fight! Way to go!

Photo: Gary fights on the 16lb while the 8 and 4lb outfits await their turn at some action.

Good internet connection today but I think that other powers are conspiring against us. With part of the skeds yesterday conducted on channel 10 which we could not hear at our location, I may have missed some boats with fish but am pretty confident on the overall leader-board. I will update again later today if I have the chance.

Viking II started Tuesday with four quick tags at the bottom of Number 7 while The Ultimate recorded three tags at the top of Number 7. In the middle (of Number 7) Reel Chase had 'a' bite :-) Go figure! That seemed the hot bite of the day. Other boats along the Ribbons still plugging away from Tradition at Lena in the South and other boats enjoying at least the one fish for the day included Mauna Kea, Fascination II, Mistress, Iona, Hellraiser, Billfish, Kohara (back fishing after a couple of days off), Calypso, Moana, Maratimo, Nuvatu and Shaka.

The leader-board resembles the following: Kanahoee still ahead with 5 tags followed by Fascination II and Viking II with 4.

Meanwhile, away from the tournament fleet: Gary Carter fishing on Kekoa this week pitched 16lb to the perfect fish yesterday hooking up to an estimated 700lb-er for an exciting fight. While the fish was almost within striking distance at one stage she got away again and eventually pulled the hook after an hour. Great going on such light tackle in these conditions!!

Sorry, internet related delays again!

Kanahoee made up for their late start to the season with an outstanding day at Number 10 Ribbon. 5 tags to take them right to the front. Elsewhere the action was sporadic with some boats having a good day and others not seeing any on the same reefs. We hooked up early for Brian on an estimated 600lb-er only to have her spit the bait out at the back of the boat with the leader out of the water. The North and South boats, the 28 Bertram Hellraiser at Day Reef and Shaka at Pearl boat successfully released 900lb-ers and Fascination II in the middle at Number 6 released one at 650lbs.

Results for Day 2: Kanahoee with 5 tags, Jag with 3, Little Audrey, Iona and Fascination II with 2 tags and boats with 1 including Tradition who started off the day, Shaka, Joe-Joe, Hard to Swallow, Hellraiser, Calypso (at 3:09pm!), Game Over and Moana. This should bring standings to Kanahoee in the lead with 5 followed by Jag, and Fascination with 3 each.

My disclaimer today being that the radio skeds were, as usual, so 'interesting' that it was actually hard to follow at times - and so I apologize in advance for any inaccuracies. An example:

For boats not fishing the tournament, Kekoa has renowned light tackle angler Gary Carter on board this week doing the hard yards in this weather. Nearby us at Number 3 Ningaloo fought another big fish on the late bite and Broadbill who are making their way into Cairns with a generator problem also hooked up after cease fishing.

The internet is playing up again hence weekend radio silence..

It was an interesting night at the briefing on Saturday where the 42 boats registered for the tournament enjoyed the seafood buffet (and thanks to the boys on the brand new Maratimo 55, we did too!) While the weather had held in for a glamour trip to the rock on Saturday, Sunday was a different story. It was as rough as any day we've had this year. From the shotgun, we headed south down to the inside 9 and started fishing at Number 8 where we soon took a green wave over the front woke us up and then some!

As for the fishing, I counted 8 fish on Day 1 for Calypso (with the first fish for the tournament), Billfish, Longshot, Fascination II, Maratimo, Think Big and ourselves with the boats spread from Hicks Reef all the way down to Number 3. After a slow start and some clear-screen repairs on the bridge our first fish was a 200lb-er for Robert who had eyes much bigger than his stomach jumping on the 20lb scaley mackerel. The second, even smaller fish, was hooked and tagged for Brian within a minute giving us the lead on Day 1 as the only boat with two fish. We had a chance not long after for a third but unfortunately, the bait was again too big or the fish too small!

For boats not fishing the tournament the action was pretty intense with the big fish hiding out in the lower Ribbons and further south. Iceman had 5 fish on during the day and Kekoa finished the day with two including another 900lb fish. Brilliant Company also got at least another big girl too. Hopefully if the tournament fleet is able to get further south today we'll be in amongst the big fish action too!

The action nearby yesterday, Moana on a good sized fish and Kianja on the first of two for the day.

Another glamourous day weather-wise on the Reef but fishing as patchy as ever. For the good number of boats fishing in the area it is really a matter of hit or miss. Hopefully all this will change next week when the tournament starts and the weather is expected to go back to the big wind (20-25 knots) big fish scenario.

We raised two fish for the day but neither was particularly hungry. Nearby we saw Moana hookup on another good sized fish and Kianja on a smaller one at the same time. Later in the day we heard that both Kianja and Wild Turkey had hooked up on bigger fish while private boat, Brilliant Company also released a fish over a grand at Ruby Reef on their way north. Ningaloo, after a reasonably quiet day, won the late bite with an estimated 600lb fish released after 6 o'clock.

Another day, another couple of big fish but unfortunately you had to be in the right place to get one! There still aren't a lot of fish around but the odd big one keeps the fleet on the spot trying.

With a few more boats showing up from down South, Number 3 Ribbon is starting to resemble the Car Park at Pt. Stephens.

While we had our bite early releasing another smaller Black for Angler Chris, Moana had a top day with two fish including one over a grand. Allure, Kekoa and Reel Ripe also releasing big fish in the area.

Photo: Kekoa's fish, an estimated 900lb-er on the bite captured by the underwater camera rig towed in front of the Scad.

Later in the day, we again saw two fishing jumping at the back of Reel Ripe, a double header, but unfortunately with no success.

The influx of 27 degree water over the last couple of days has also brought out the bities however with a great deal of luck, using mono on a circle hook, this Wahoo is out of the population and into the freezer. Reports from further afield show the odd fish now showing up on Number 10 where Shaka released an estimated 400lb-er.

If we'd left 5 minutes earlier, we would have missed this beauty!

Capt. Jim said we were going to be the last boat behind the reef and we were. Seconds away from winding in the lines just after 6 o'clock, a hole appeared where the Scaley was. A great active fight on the surface and 5 minutes later, Chris's biggest Marlin to date was tagged - a nice 800lb-er which gave us plenty of photo opportunities on dusk.

The day started flat calm with a beautiful snorkel on the edge and then a lot of trolling an waiting. Fishing on Monday had a 30 minute flurry of big fish - which unfortunately we missed - and for Viking II, Ningaloo, Kekoa and Iceman resulted in big fish released. Meanwhile Tradition fought a four hour tussle only to break the leader in the dark. As a result, the boats on Ribbon Number 3 & 4 on Tuesday were out in force trying to get a bit of the big girl action for themselves.

The monotony was broken at 3 o'clock when a 200lb-er grabbed the Scad as we followed up a school of Skipjack and a quick tag and release put angler Chris on the board.

Unfortunately for most the fleet, the previous day's action was not to be repeated although a couple of big fish were hooked (but not landed) except for Ultimate Lady who entertained us all with a big of hot action in the afternoon.

As the countdown to the Lizard Island Tournament begins (Sunday) we hope that the big fish continue to arrive.

Steve's fish tries to skewer the tagpole and Kekoa backing down in the rough.

Back at Number 5 Ribbon again overnight after fishing from Ribbon 2 to 5 yesterday and the flotilla is slowly growing. Parked nearby we have Mistress, Raptor, Tradition, The Ultimate, Allure, Kekoa and Reel Chase as well as two private boats including the 24ft Bonehead who ventured out with the bigger boats in the wild conditions yesterday.

We caught our one and only for Angler Steve at the top of Number 2 - a frisky 200lb-er that almost joined us in the cockpit at one stage. Nearby we watched Kekoa release their regulation big fish (850lb-er). Most other boats also netting a fish for the day as well.

The weather has cleared a little this morning and we are going to take the opportunity to head back up the Ribbons searching for our big one.

Kevin and Ronnie's fish rocketing on the leaders.

Big moon, big wind, big fish. That's the story from the Ribbon Reefs!

Driving 30knot rain squalls, 4 metre seas and the big Momma's are back in town.

Trolling North from St. Crispen's Reef, Kekoa released a 950lb-er for world-renowned Angler Marsha B on regulation 130 chair tackle off Number 4 Agincourt. A smaller fish later in the day of Anderson Reef completed a good day in the atrocious conditions for Capt. Luke.

Meanwhile back on Reel Chase, our down-sea run starting at Number 3 Ribbon stopped abruptly just after lunch, with two quick fishing (at top) for Kevin and Ronnie at the bottom of Number 5. Although we persevered all day in the same area, we didn't raise any more.

But the big fish stories keep coming in.

Reports of Hayden on the Release catching another monster the day before at the top of Number 5 after a 4 hour battle only to put the baits back in and hook-up on another similar sized fish immediately. Unfortunately this one was lost. Also on Monday, Tiger on Mistress released a good 800lb-er in the same area.

Hopefully the weather eases from here on in and we can get amongst those big girls ourselves!

With the weather raging 25-30 knots, overcasting with showers - we are raring to get out there again today! ;-)

While we were back into port just after lunch, some quick updates from the boats fishing: The Cairns Professional Game Fish Association's one day Marlin Jackpot was taken out yesterday by Capt. Laurie and team on Ningaloo (formerly Sir Reel) on countback with one fish tagged. Other boats releasing fish yesterday include Calypso, also fishing at the bank, with their first fish of the season as well as Little Audrey, Mauna Kea, Release and Kekoa. More fish sighted - good news!

Back in the action, traveling North, down-sea with the weather, we found a nice 300lb-er tailing on Number 2 Ribbon and baited him resulting in a successful tag for angler Graham from Adelaide. As this was his first Marlin, a tough day fishing in atrocious conditions was made worth while. Mistress, following us down-sea for our troll along the Ribbon Reefs, also reported a similar size fish.

At our overnight anchorage at Number 5 we found all the boats fishing North of us except for Fascination working out of Lizard Island which indicates it is still very slow at the top. However of this group, both Viking II and Ultimate Lady have both reported fish at Number 5 in the past two days with two for Viking and reported an 800lb-er tagged on Ultimate Lady on Saturday afternoon on Number 5.

In deteriorating weather conditions today we are limiting our activities to bait fishing and an early return to Cooktown for overnight changeover.

Update:
Tom's fish in Townsville weighed in at 1109lbs. Congrats for the first Grander for the Townsville Club in a number of years!