Reports will start to wind down now as the season does too. Thank you to everyone for reading this year. Please stay tuned for periodic updates throughout the summer as well as the fishing moves down south.

Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso fished Linden Bank Saturday going two from two at 700 and 300lbs. On Reel Chase we fished out to the Sea Mount and back for the last two days and came across a lot of marine life although not all the marlin action we'd hoped releasing one from three on Saturday and none from a few yesterday. We raised a number of fish, in particular a pod of 3 or 4, this big girl coming up on the teaser (shot below) at the same time both rods went off. But none of the bites stuck. We raised and got bites out of the fish again but they were just toying with the baits rather than seriously trying to eat.

We also got some good underwater footage of other critters including wahoo and dolphin fish like the below.

A rainy morning in Cairns as we head out for our last heavy tackle trip of the season. Blogging will be by Twitter and the comments section for the next couple of days as I leave my faithful computer behind for a couple of repairs. (Follow BlackMarlinBlog on Twitter here or in the sidebar).

Yesterday we fished Euston Light going none from two, a couple of messed up bites like this one on the left (note the bait in the picture left under his bum). Capt. Tim on Tradition tells me there were a few nice fish seen on the bank yesterday, and they tagged a little one.

Tangled on Reel Chase and a picture from Capt. Dean Beech of Gorilla's big fish the other day.

I heard from the boys on Nuvatu who passed on a few more details from the team on Little Audrey with 8 fish for their trip out to the Sea Mount, mostly in the 3-500lb range. Each day the team returned to Holmes Reef which meant that they missed the late bite but they were still getting 5 fish up a day. Little Audrey now heads down to Myrmidon Reef off Townsville where they should come accross KEKOA. Myrmidon is typically a telephone/internet black hole so I haven't heard any results from the boys, but hopefully they are getting into a few as the reef has been fishing well this year.

KEKOA finishes in Townsville tomorrow where they will farewell the 47 and preparations kick into high gear for the launch of the new KEKOA 56 - with high expectations that it will be just as fantastic as the 47 which is now NZ bound. Peter sent us some more photos and she is looking very good. After some outer reef trips in the new year we will be taking the new boat north again and around to Weipa, base for the Gulf Trips (still some spots avail). I'm joining Capt. Luke and team on board for these trips and I can't wait to get into some barra action!

Brett sent me some pictures from their last trip on Watchdog at Linden Bank.

Back at Linden Bank on Reel Chase yesterday we suffered the invasion of the little fellers - with eyes much bigger than their stomachs (or their mouths for that matter) - trying to down the big bait. Finally we managed to get one to stay attached to the back of the boat for Jo at 250lbs. One from four.

Also on the bank, we heard that Brett on Gorilla caught a real nice one while Castille III jumped another big one off, so the big fish are still around too. Allure with Billy Boyle on board this week got a smaller one as well.

Back out wide and south of Jenny Capt. Luke released two smaller fish and they put Scotty onto a big girl which they lost into the dark after 45 minutes. KEKOA continues to mosey on down toward Townsville where they will end this trip and say goodbye to KEKOA 47 passing her on to new owners and as the new KEKOA 56 gets closer to launch for trips in 2010.

We heard that Little Audrey was trying to get a message through from out wide to let us know how their fishing is going but all we could hear was that they have 8 so far on this trip including two small fish yesterday. Sounds like they are getting some good action out there at the sea mount and we look forward to hearing more when they come into phone range!

Moana III and Shaka have finished their seasons now and yesterday heading to Princess Charlotte Bay for some R&R and estuary action! And Kalira leaves for the Gold Coast today as well.

News from down south and a report from Matthew Fox of the Moreton Bay Boat Club who held their ladies tournament over the weekend:

Big Business, In the Black and Dream Catcher fished wide of Cape Moreton on Saturday and Sunday in the Moreton Bay Boat Club Ladies Tournament. There was a good show of blue marlin with 1 tagged Saturday and 3 tagged Sunday and a numbers of other that didn't stick. The light tackle boats found plenty of bait and wahoo but no billfish. Congratulations go to Captain Shane Steer and crew of In the Black which won Champion Boat for the weekend!

A bit more action from along the reef yesterday. Starting in the middle, Capt. Tim on Tradition got in on some action at Number 5 Ribbon ending up with 3 bites, and releasing a 200lb-er and 800lb-er at dark for angler Greg.

On the Bank with Capt. Jim on Reel Chase went two from three, one each for Jo and Matthew, smaller fish today and got some more good action on the Towcam and hat cam. There were a couple more fish around but not the activity of the day before. Capt. Darren Allure released a smaller one as well and we saw Hard to Swallow backing up.

Another filmstrip of stills from the bite on the teaser on Reel Chase

At Jenny Louise, Capt. Luke on KEKOA released the bigger of a double header at 700lbs and then a smaller fish later in the day as well, ending with two from four. And also down that way although out wide, Capt. Tom on Ultimate Lady ended their short season with their 13th fish for the week. Tom tells me it would have been another good day if they had all stuck, breaking the line on an 850lb-er, getting the bait back after 10 minutes on 500lb-er and releasing a 150lb-er as well as getting bites from two other small fish. They are off to Tahiti now. It's a tough life!

Matt's fish on the lead on Reel Chase and the trailer boat Spread 'Em battle a beauty as well!

There was a bit of a hot bite at Linden Bank yesterday and on Reel Chase, we arrived just in time. The baits had only been in the water less than a minute when we saw a marlin swim by the teaser on the camera and just after that, the shotgun went off. Courtesy of Dad Jo being at that moment downstairs and out of sight, 13 year old Matthew was onto his first Cairns black marlin and it was a nice one too, released after a 15 minute fight estimated at 750lbs. By the time Jo came upstairs, Matthew was well and truly into the rhythm of the chair and making good ground on the fish.

Nearby, we saw Gorilla hook up on two fish in reasonably quick succession, the larger of which was approximately 700lbs as well as some Cairns private boats including Fifth Dimension and trailer boat Spread 'Em on a massive fish - which Adrian tells me they successfully released after 45 minutes on 80lb stand up. They also released another 250lb fish earlier in the day ending with two from three. Soon after Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso had also hooked up and released one that Tim called well over the mark. Congratulations guys! Grander number 1 for the day.

More big fish also out wide for Ultimate Lady. Capt. Tom reports that they fished for some tunas in the morning before heading south and jumped off a blue marlin. Later, they had another three bites and released all three, black marlin at 250, 200 and another around the grand mark! Grander number 2!

At Jenny Louise, Capt. Luke on KEKOA fished Scotty and friends for two from four at 200 and 700lbs enjoying having the shoal to themselves for the day!

Ultimate Lady on the leader at left and Brendan holds up his big eye tuna on KEKOA.

Just in: Ultimate Lady has weighed the first grander of the 2009 season, a fish that unfortunately died on the line yesterday, at 1058lbs to Stuart Potter from Gisborne. The fish was weighed after returning to the edge this morning. The team spent much of the day yesterday hooked up again, going 3 from 4 including the big one they fought for 5 and a half hours. The other two were released at 250 and 800lbs. Tom's certainly finding the fish!

More of the fleet went for a wander out wide yesterday. Calypso left the anchorage in the dark and was hooked up to a blue marlin by 6:30 am which they released, approximately 400lbs. On KEKOA, Capt. Luke tells me they had a great day out there although they didn't find a big marlin. They got some mad tuna footage, above and below water of a huge school of big eye and yellowfin eating a hookless popper off the rod tip at the back of the boat and a whale shark thrown in for good measure as well. As Brendan was winding in a 60lb yellowfin he felt the line go slack and thought he had lost the fish. Suddenly a 700lb black marlin swooped in all lit up in he discovered it was only hiding from the marlin under the boat. They released two small marlin including one bite after dark as they headed back into the reef.

Back on the Bank, Watchdog released two smaller fish as well for Jon and Bill Creswick, owners of well-known ex Cairns charter boat Sea Strike.

In the middle it was quiet with just Iceman releasing one smaller fish from two bites.

Photo: one of KEKOA's pics of the tuna bite.

With the fantastic flat glass calm conditions, the wander urge hit big time yesterday with a number of boats heading east after Ultimate Lady's report. While back at the Bank, the dedicated stuck it out, marking fish and waiting for the bite.

Those who went wide included Hattitude who caught a 600lb-er wide of Spur. And Capt. Kim on New Moon who left the Bank late morning heading for the Sea Mount released two on lures on the way and a further three on baits upon arrival going 5 from 6 on one of the best days all year. The team encountered Little Audrey on their way back in who reported a 850lb-er out there the day before and a 250lb on the way back in and missing another about 500lb.

Meanwhile back at the Bank, on Reel Chase we played Russian Roulette with trailer boats all day waiting, waiting until after 5 o'clock we finally got a bite along with a couple of other boats. Luckily, ours was worth waiting for and 73 year old angler Julio landed his first ever grander after a solid 45 minute fight. This was one of the most spectacular bites and fights we've had all season which you'll no doubt see more of. Ben was wearing his hatcam so we got some spectacular close-up footage which I've uploaded. Update: View the footage here.

Filmstrip of stills from Ben's hatcam footage of Julio's est 1100lb black marlin on Reel Chase.


And same from my fixed camera of Julio and crew in action on Reel Chase.

Update: I've also just heard that Wild Turkey had a good day at the Bank yesterday as well with two big fish that Captain Tye called 850 and 1100lbs! Congrats guys!

Nearby, KEKOA released two smaller fish and a 700lb tiger shark. And Ultimate Lady had the big one up early but didn't hook up and broke off another good fish after a heartbreaking 7 and a half hour fight after dark last night.

Sit down and grab a coffee, this is going to be a long one!

A very promising day at Linden Bank came true for Iona II, but for the rest of us, it was all anticipation but no result - marking lots of bait and lots of fish in the area but raising little. Still, after watching Adam fight two good fish including a 800lb-er for John and this big one (below) that Capt. Adam called 1050lb for Norm, we're keen to get out there again today. Both John and Noel from Newcastle are new to marlin fishing but something tells me they're hooked now!

Two pictures of Noels fish at 1050lbs on Iona 2 Tuesday.

Also nearby, Capt. Kim on New Moon caught a very nice one that he called 900lb ( below left) for angler Jason Carter from Townsville and had another bite while Capt. Darren on Allure released a smaller one in the morning as well.

Photo from Ben of New Moon's 900lb-er and one I took of Iona 2's 800lb-er for John.

Capt. Tom on Ultimate Lady went for a wander out wide and ended up with three good fish including two big ones at 950 and 900lb and a 400lb blue! Starting about 30nm east of Fin Reef, just outside the GBRMPA line trolling north outside the green zone they ended their day wide of Norman Reef where we spent the night in the glass calm conditions.

At Jenny Louise, Shaka released one about 300lbs and jumped off another around 500lb.

Up at Number 10, Capt. Dean on Castille III reports loosing a big fish after 10 minutes when the hooks pulled while Capt. Trent on Iona (original) released one at 900lbs. Trent has Ian and James Bladin on board this week. Its good to see them both back on the reef. Capt. Dean also told us that although Iceman had a quiet day yesterday, Capt. Bob enjoyed a successful double header the previous day including his biggest fish of this season.

I had a chance yesterday to speak to Capt. Haydon Bell on the Release. We'd been hearing chinese whispers of his good fishing from time to time but yesterday I was able to confirm it's all true! In his last trip alone (which ended in Cooktown for changeover yesterday afternoon) fishing up the top they released 11 in 8 days fishing with 4 over the 900lb mark! Awesome stuff!

I also caught up with Capt. Chris (Sharky) on Mauna Kea after his trip with light tackle specialist Mike Levitt which ended Monday. In the 7 days they teased 15 fish and had 7 on of record class (fishing 4 & 8lb) including an estimated 800lb-er they fought for 2 and a half hours. They managed to get the double out of the water before the lines parted.

On Reel Chase its been a while since we've put the TowCam cameras in the water but with the weather easing off yesterday to glamour conditions, we did and were rewarded with some more good footage for the vault. Heading wide to avoid the outgoing tide and dirty water we found plentiful tuna outside Spur Reef and as with the last time we live baited, our first tuna only just made it into the peg before we had a bite. Unfortunately this was no grander (this size marlin was more suited to live yakka than tuna), and even though it ate the bait twice, it preferred to give it back than fight us.

Further north of the famous Bus Stop, we encountered a number of tailing marlin and boats around us were hooking up. Soon after we had the bite of a good sized fish on the underwater camera. Unfortunately after a solid hook-up it all went pear shaped and the 'flexible coupling let go' ;-) With the baits straight back in, we continued to mark good fish and watch Watchdog and Reel Ripe battle fish. Watchdog released 1 from 4 at approximately 400lbs, unfortunately missing the bigger fish, all three that Brett put in 1000lb class.

Reel Ripe went two from two for Richard Latchford from the UK and Jamie Pitmiller from NY. After releasing the smaller fish at 200lb the boys decided to have a sneaky champagne toast to celebrate the end of a successful trip when the snap from the rigger interrupted the celebrations. Soon after another at 800lb-er was released, well and truly ending the trip on a high.

Later in the day, heading down the Ridge towards the anchorage and beer o'clock. We turned on some tuna to watch Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso hook up right next to us releasing a 700lb-er, one from two for the day, after a short fight. Very soon after, back on Reel Chase we got the bite, again on the big bait, and Julio was able to convert his third try of the day releasing one at 450lbs, his very first marlin after many years of trying.

Pictures: a compilation of stills from Monday's footage on the TowCam tow camera and pole cameras on Reel Chase.

Capt. Dan on Moana III on an overnight trip ventured out wide among the long liner fleet and reported a lot of big eye and yellowfin tuna along with whale sharks and although he saw marlin being caught on the long lines, didn't raise any himself.

Down south, David Granville reports the Hervey Bay competition on the weekend was a big success with the winning boat, Keneka winning with 7 blues in the two and a half days of fishing. David reported seeing 3 fish over 800lbs and that most were in the 5-600lb range.

Brett on Watchdog fishing Mario and Con at Linden Bank for Mario's Birthday trip saw 4 good fish and releasing what Brett called the 'fish of the season'. A 500lb-er that fought like a 1000lb-er at one stage just missing landing in the boat. The boys also dropped another 200lb-er just beyond leader range.

Also at the Bank, Hattitude released two at 600 and 250lb and Reel Ripe got a small one on a bait rod.

At Ribbon Number 9, Castille III went one from three as well.

Fishing the Light for the first time this season Capt. Dan reports its looking good with the boys on Moana III releasing one at 400lbs. Nearby, the boys on Hot Shot did the same and missed a big one. On Opal Ridge Kalira released another at 300lb for Capt. Ash Wallis and the boys.

Wide of Number 2, KEKOA went one from three and missed the bite of another big girl right at the back of the boat. Allure got one wide of Number 3 and Blue Dog with Graham, Carmen and Perry on board released two wide of Number 4 including one at 650lbs.

The boys have also been getting into some good dogtooth with Capt. Dean on Castille sending me this picture and the boys on Askari who came into Cairns last night spending the last couple of days on the dogtooth. Calypso also in Port last night and returning out today reporting a fish a day.

Back on the Gold Coast, Vince on Barco went one from one blue marlin yesterday about 450lbs in 860 metres as well as a spearfish later in the day with a lot more water between blues this year than last. On Thursday they also went 2-1-0 south of Jims.

We had that headline ready, someone just had to catch the right fish. And the gong goes to the team on Tradition with Capt. Tim releasing a big girl on the Marks on Number 10 yesterday that he called 950++ for Doc. Congratulations guys!

On Linden Bank Spartacus released this one (right) and Adam on Iona 2 also released a smaller fish on the Bus Stop.

If anyone is wondering where the marlin fleet is today, I know. They are anchored at Opal Reef. I count 17 boats including the couple already out bait fishing.

Unfortunately the fishing didn't turn it on yesterday for those fishing the ridge up to Linden Bank - although the rain certainly kept things interesting. Watchdog released one estimated at 250lbs for very happy angler Steve, his first marlin. Capt. Darren Haydon on Allure who had the same day as the rest of the southern fleet Thursday had a better day Wednesday hooking two from four for his angler on 50lb and fighting an 800lb-er until the lines parted. Capt. Darren tells me that Capt. Chris Miles on Mauna Kea is fishing with Mike Lovett on board - ultra light tackle and had a couple of bites yesterday.

Further north on Escape KEKOA also released a smaller fish. In the middle, Captain Peter B Wright on Sea Baby went one from two on 30lbs.

I also heard from Shane who's back on board Askari. The boys have spent the last 10 days after the Lizard Island Tournament fishing inshore and crabbing and reached a new milstone of catching 25 different species of fish in one day!

On the heavy tackle fishing side, yesterday they went two from two on Number 4 Ribbon. One fish at 300lbs and the other at 1100lbs+. A good mate of Shane's from Sydney fishing his first day on the GBR lands a Grander! Gongrats guys!

A flurry of mid-sized fish Wednesday. Capt. Ash Wallis on Kalira released two at Linden Bank at 300 and 400lbs. Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso released one at 500lbs for angler Jeff Rankin. Capt. Tim said it was a great fish and went hard for a mid ranger.

Capt. Luke on KEKOA released a 600lb-er early in the day and dropped a smaller fish at the back of the boat in the afternoon. On Opal Ridge, Capt. Tim Ryan on Reel Ripe also released one at 400lbs.

And, in flurry of activity after 5pm, Capt. Dan on Moana III released two at 800 and 450lbs between Anderson and Escape Reefs.

I didn't get any updates from up the reef on Kaizen who fished Number 10 Ribbon and had gone one from two earlier in the day (or Askari Bob sorry!)

A short reprieve from the rough weather yesterday for boats fishing the southern end of the reef. But another successful day for big black marlin. Capt. Tim Ryan on Reel Ripe fishing Opal Ridge released two big girls - one at 1000lbs for Stuart Tobin of Port Douglas and another at 700lbs for Gavin Deller from Melbourne. Congratulations guys on a top day!

Fishing nearby on the ridge, Capt. Brett on Watchdog had success with an 800lb-er and saw two more of a similar size. Brett says they have been fishing the middle Ribbons of late and have been picking away at a few.

On Linden Bank, Capt. Kim Andersen on New Moon released an 850lb-er which was one from four with the other fish not swallowing the bait. Capt. Luke Fallon on KEKOA with Capt. Laurie Wright and guests from USA on board this week got one as did the boys on Calypso who departed Cairns yesterday as well.

In the middle, Capt. Tim Richardson on Tradition went one from three and Capt. Peter B. Wright on Sea Baby IV released two as well. Up the top, fishing the Marks on Number 10 Ribbon, Capt. Tom on Ultimate Lady reported they found the fish for Fred that they had been looking for but pulled the hooks. They had another bite from small fish, marked a few more and raised another couple of small ones.

Jim has been fishing the reef for close to 20 years now. This year he brought his friend Mike to catch his first marlin. And yesterday he did, another monster that Capt. Dean Beech on Castille III estimated at 1100lbs!

Hooking up on a double header they lost the smaller fish very soon after but not the one that counted. Congratulations Mike!

Capt. Dean also tells me nearby Sparrow, driving Wild Turkey at present as Square Bear is under repairs, released one about 500lb. Up the top, Ultimate Lady kinked off an 800lb-er and tagged a 350lb-er. Not too many reports otherwise on for fishing on Monday.

Back on the Gold Coast, Barry on Mistress tells me that the blue marlin have arrived. They went two from two on Sunday and marked 5!

Sunday was Capt. Dan's day as Moana III blitzed the fleet in the middle Ribbons ending with four at 450, 250, 750 and 1000lbs. As if that wasn't good enough, Capt. Dan tells me that they caught all the fish within an hour and a half - including a successful double header of the big fish, the 750 and 1000lb-ers!

Check out the still from the video footage on left.

The reef been producing some really spectacular fishing this year. More spectacular fishing down this end, I caught up with Capt. Darren Haydon on Allure who is enjoying a day off in Cairns after his most recent trip ended Friday. Capt. Darren finished the 6 days with 12 released including another one over the 1000lb mark.

Yesterday the original Iona headed back out to Linden Bank and was hooked up within minutes of putting the baits in the water releasing a 300lb-er. Capt. Trent enjoying a sneaking pre-fish before Iona II joins them on the water today for the start of the Inaugural Iona V Iona II Challenge.

Ultimate Lady is continuing to pick away at the good sized fish at the top end going one from one at 750lbs. On Castille III Capt. Dean had another go at a big big fish unfortunately pulling the hook and Capt. Tim on Tradition jumped off two as well.

Ultimate Lady found some shelter from the worst of the weather at Day Reef yesterday going two from two at 350 and 600lbs.

In the middle, Tradition dropped an 800lb-er after 20 minutes and missed one another one that Capt. Tim said was bigger than any he'd seen in a long time. At Linden Stadium, boats circled each other marking fish but it wasn't until after 3pm that the action really started.

Joe Joe, finishing up their trip with Dougy for 2009 hooking up another solid 600lb-er and fighting fore 20 minutes before the line parted and ending the day with the one fish at 120lbs. Dreamcatcher fought another decent sized fish in the same area and Iona came into Port for changeover last night ending up their trip with just the one at 200lbs. But what a trip, Capt. Trent and team ending the 6 days with 14 released, the biggest at 850lbs and including two other bites out of real nice fish. Allure is in for changeover as well. Will update once I've had the chance to catch up with them.

Photo: Love on the reef. Dingo wishing his future bride a happy day. Happy Birthday Beth from the rest of us too!

Update: Top day for Capt. Trent on the original Iona who released five at the Bank on Friday to 650lbs. Good on you Trent. Also more from Joe Joe and angler Dougy who is fishing stand up 50lb with Capt. Barry and team for the 19th year! They fished the bottom of the Bank once again on Friday raising five and hooking three - unfortunately busting a big one off, breaking line one approximately 600lb close to the boat and releasing a smaller fish at 200lb. On the northern end, Cool Runnings started their four day trip by adding two more to their season tally at 350 and 400lbs.

Also fishing the bank Capt. Daren 'Biggles' Haydon on Allure released two. And after a mammoth 1 and a half hour plus battle on 130lb standup in the rough conditions, the guys on Dreamcatcher, 21 ft Haines trailerboat released a big girl they called at over 1000lb.

On a day that the rain bucketed down both in Cairns and out on the bank, the guys in the tower did it hard - and wet!

Up North, Capt. Dean Beech on Castille III went one from three at Day Reef and back to the rock (Lizard Island) overnight for changeover and Capt. Tom on Ultimate Lady got the payoff for the long trek up the reef from Linden Bank on Thursday going three from three black marlin at 200, 400 and 700lb.

No reports from in the middle.

Tainuii backing down on their big-for-an-850lber!

It was like stepping through a time warp at Linden Bank yesterday. As we arrived the beautifully restored Tanuiii was backing up hard on a good fish. This boat was built and operated more than 25 years ago by the legendary Capt. Bill "Eagle" Edwards and was the super gameboat of the mid '80's. And here it was providing a display for all the other gameboats fishing the Bus Stop as they went on to tag and release a total of four marlin for the day at 950, 750, 850 and 450lbs for anglers Al and Gary with Capt. Pete Kirkby and Matt on the deck.

Luckily for the rest of us, we managed to pick up a few dregs, with Capt. Kim on New Moon releasing two smaller fish and on Reel Chase we also released this 350lb-er (below left) for angler Daryl. It was Daryl's first marlin but certainly not his last! He was over the moon to catch it, but not as relieved as his wife ;-)

Later, as we were leaving to head back into Cairns at 4pm, Joe Joe hooked up a big fish on 50lb that Capt. Barry called over 1000lb - their third over 1000lb in two weeks I believe - and they also released a smaller fish as well.

At the northern end of the Bank, Capt. Luke on KEKOA went one from two at 200lbs. Capt. Luke reports he marked a lot of fish there yesterday which is a good sign. They made their way down from Escape Reef where they met with the sea plane earlier in the morning delivering their other angler to the boat. Another blast from the past and not something you see too much anymore. Capt. Luke tells me that Capt. Darren on Allure also released at least two, Iona caught one and Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso released a nice fish at 600lb and yet another sailfish! Capt. Tim Richardson on Tradition had his day with the rubber hooks seeing 8 fish and getting bites out of three with no conversions.

On Number 4 Ribbon, Capt. Dan on Moana III finished the trip with a 450lb-er while Capt. Tim Ryan on Reel Ripe released another fish in the 900lb range. Capt. Craig "Sparrow" Denham, who is driving Wild Turkey released one at 600lb.

At Fraser:
Meanwhile Capt. Ross McCubbin reports that back at Fraser Island, Grant, the new owner of the ex-Fascination Riviera 48 Express, has christened his new boat with four blues released in two days (to 600lb) missing another one estimated over 800lbs at the back of the boat and losing a couple of bigger blacks as well. There are large schools of pilchards throughout the area.

Australian Fishing & Lifestyle Party Update:
And thank you to Mark for asking for an update on how we went with membership for the Australian Fishing & Lifestyle Party. Capt. Dan tells us that of the additional 70 members we needed, we got 600(!) membership applications which have been submitted to the electoral commission. Because we were granted an extension to the deadline, the commission now needs to call a sample (50) of these applications to check that all is well. Then everything should be up and running.

Thank you to all for your overwhelming support!

While the fishing during the tournament last week seemed to be on at the top of the reef, this week the action seems to be down south with many of the fleet making their way to or already fishing the Bank.

The big blue boat, Ultimate Lady fished Linden Bank yesterday releasing their first Cairns black marlin of the season 2009 - an active 750lb-er who tried to remove some of their brand new paintwork after an almost two month refit!

Iona 2 with Adam back on board seems almost to be a permanent fixture on the southern end of the Bank at the Bus Stop. Adam tells me he's having the time of his life going three from 4 yesterday (to 550lbs). The day before he saw 8 fish and got bites out of three including one in the monster category.

Also fishing the Bank Tradition got in on the act and released two fish at 200 and 900lbs - picture from video on left below. Same result though different location, KEKOA also finished the day with two fish Tuesday, also 200 and 900lb for angler Eric from New Caledonia fishing down from Number 3 Ribbon to end at Ruby Reef overnight. Another still from the video of Erics fish on right.

I spoke to Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso who reported slightly slower fishing since the comp, averaging a fish a day. Capt. Tim is making his way south from the middle. I also spoke to Capt. Ross Finlayson on Top Shot who reported just a couple of bites Wednesday including a double header from a big girl and a smaller fish, with 3 from 5 on Tuesday at Number 8 Ribbon.


Also fishing up on Number 9, I received this picture from John on Shaka. John reports the fishing has been mostly smaller fish for the Shaka team for the last week or so but they are getting bigger.

John released this one at 450-5000lb that crashed on the big bait at the top of Number 9.

Up the very top, Castille III released another sailfish - there have been a few around this year. In the middle Capt. Peter B. on Sea Baby IV released one about 450lb and lost another in the 750lb range.

Tracking back down the inside of the reef on our return to Cairns yesterday we came across the big blue boat, Ultimate Lady once again heading over the horizon and into Cairns having just done some bait fishing out wide, the team are ready to go black marlin fishing!

Also back on the reef at the wheel of New Moon, Capt. Kim Andersen headed to Linden Bank yesterday going two from three in the 200-300lb range. Tradition reports seeing two and also releasing a smaller fish and watching Capt. Darren Haydon on Allure get a monster. That tops off a great couple of days for the team on Allure as Capt. Tom reported they also released four the day before.

Up the top, Capt. Dean Beech on Castille III left the lodge at 11am to do some spearing then headed out to Jewell Reef at 2pm going 3 from 7, back anchored in the bay by 6pm. Not a bad day by anyone's standards!

Some more footage to share:
Bill Borken's grander on board Kanahoee on the final day of the competition.

Parke Berolzheimer's grander on board Castille on Day 1 of the competition. (Originally called 950lb, photo and video have been provided to the committee with an application to join the Lizard Island 1000lb club.)

Jason Hassett's grander on board KEKOA. The boys didn't get a tag in the fish and so it didn't count for the comp as Capt. Luke made the call to crack it off so the fish would get to swim another day. Good footage, of course the boys topped it a day later with the 1200lb-er.

Hiroshi Ogawa's 900lb-er on Reel Ripe. The week before the tournament at Number 2 Ribbon.

You can see some of the other clips I've uploaded from season 2009 on YouTube (Keruko Channel). I've got some more to edit and upload hopefully today!

Picture of 1100lb dedication from the team on Joe Joe who release two of this size during the comp. Hopefully footage and photos coming soon!

The day after the Lizard Island tournament/the Halloween Party at Lizard is typically a day of rest or rather a day of restocking and replenishing the body and the boat. Many of the fleet who fished the tournament headed back to Cooktown, others are leaving the island today. Therefore, there are not too many reports of fishing on Friday. KEKOA headed down Number 10 Ribbon and finished with 3 for the day, two smaller fish and one at 750lb - making the rougher weather worth it.

More boats head back out today and so reporting will go back to normal this week.
----
On the Gold Coast again, Vince tells me that also Barco made the most of the fine weather they have been having down there to head out yesterday going one from one blue marlin at 300lbs east of Jims. Good to hear!

Photo of the team on Castille III who may have taken out Champion Fancy Dress, just pipping the team on Spartacus. Or perhaps the other way around!

Congratulations to the team on board Mauna Kea who took out Champion Boat with 11 tags from Spartacus on 9 tags and Joe Joe on 8. There were 10 'granders' successfully tagged and released and quite a number of big battles. Kanahoee released the final grander of the tournament at 30 minutes to cease fishing on Day 7. Joe Joe released two at 1100lb and KEKOA released the largest at 1200lb (below).

In total, 125 black marlin were released.

Daily winners:
Day 1 - Three tags, Castille
Day 2 - Three tags, Spartacus
Day 3 - Three tags, Mauna Kea
Day 4 - Three tags, Hart Throb
Day 5 - Three tags, Kaizen
Day 6 - Four tags, Mauna Kea
Day 7 - One tag, Watchdog

Champion Male Angler was Daryl Mosley on board Mauna Kea with 11 tags with Mike Dobbins on Hattitude runner up with 7 tags. The Champion Female Angler Karen Weaver on Maitai with 2 tags.

Outside the tournament, there are also still being big fish being caught. On the other end of the reef at Linden Bank on Saturday, Cool Runnings released an estimated 1100lb-er as well!

---
And on the Gold Coast, TowCam's John Faulkner released a 400lb blue marlin on his boat Five Star yesterday for Bruce Keown - and go vision of both the switch and strike on both towcams. Another balmy day out wide down there while we are rocking and rolling up here.