After an uneventful trip to the South, we returned to Jenny Louise yesterday. We enjoyed a morning swim and some bait fishing and popper casting as we made our way north again from overnight at Noggin Reef, side by side with Kekoa we both dropped the baits in just on lunchtime and that is where our luck diverged for the rest of the day. While we trolled and marked several fish, they did not come up for us.

Meanwhile, the boys on Kekoa were on fire. Within minutes of putting the baits in were hooked up on a double header and successfully released a 350lb-er while a much bigger fish got away. And not too long after, another bite saw frisky 150lb-er released as well. Also fishing right next to us was Ultimate Lady who released 3 from 3 for the second day in a row at the shoal.

Very happy the fish are still here for our last few trips. Hopefully, as we get away from the moon they start to bite better.

Dan's Yellowfin off Noggin and a beautiful sunrise at Flynn Reef this morning.

Capt. Luke found this little guy in the stomach of a Scad caught for bait at Baines Patches over the weekend and suspects that it is a baby billfish. It is a little worse for wear and slightly digested but still has the makings of a bill and dorsal.

So we have sent a photo on to the learned Dr. Julian so that he can hopefully identify it for us.

Wouldn't that be poetic justice?

Marlin eat Scad. Scad eat Marlin.


The rest of the fishing on the weekend was a bit hit and miss. There were some big fish caught late at Jenny Louise on Saturday with both Release and Allure reporting fish over 900lbs. Sunday, another glamour day in the weather department was quite a bit slower. Kekoa fought a big fish that Capt. Luke estimated at over a grand for 15 minutes before pulling the hook while we did the same on a smaller fish on board Reel Chase with Angler Dan in the chair. Capt. Deano on Castillle headed both wide and then South and found some big fish in the area around Pith Reef releasing an 850lb-er and loosing bigger fish a little bit later on.

Both Kekoa and Reel Chase are trying their luck a further south today. Internet prevailing will still be able to report as per usual tomorrow.

Everyone has a lucky day and we had one yesterday. Three fish that didn't total the 1120lbs of Shaka's fish the day before but we were very happy to mark our return from the cyclone induced break. Three from three on an otherwise slow day at Linden Bank ranging from 200 to 350 lb. Rod and mates from Victoria also caught three fish on their first day last year - setting themselves up for a good tradition.

Gary's fish jumps towards Shaka and then Neil's fish jumps in front of Ningaloo.


Rod's fish, gave us some nice aerial displays including jumping over the corner of the transom!

Top Shot and Ningaloo also both released a fish nearby us at the Bank.

Meanwhile at Jenny Louise, Chamois Free released a Sailfish and Allure, Marlin Blue, Maritimo and Little Audrey all released a Marlin in what seemed to be a more steady bite.

This fish shown in the two photos was released on Reel Chase on the 28th of October, 2005 at Number 6 Ribbon Reef by Townsville Angler Jan Parkes. It was a spectacular fight and she was perfectly hooked with the circle hook in the corner of the jaw. And, on the 31st of October this year, she swam back to the Ribbon Reefs and was hooked by anglers on In Ya Dreams with Capt. Brian Felton. Unfortunately, this time she didn't survive the fight and died on the line and was weighed at Number 5 Ribbon on the Ultimate Lady at 782lbs.

This fish is one of very few that have been re-captured in the heavy tackle fishery. Due to the fact that a lot of boats don't bother tagging any more and also because the tags are very hard to spot and recover. NSW Fisheries who administer the tagging program in Australia are very excited about this re-capture because to some extent it bucks the trend of this size fish putting on enormous weights in a short space of time. As you can see from the photos, we quite correctly called the fish 750lb. For the fish to only gain approximately 50lb in two years is in quite contrast to one of our fish tagged at Day Reef in 1988 which we also called 750lb and was recaptured by Capt. Greg Edwards 366 days later also at Day Reef and weighed in at 992lb.

The consistency in both these catches is the strong indication of returning to exactly the same area 12 months apart.

With the weather dropping out over most Queensland waters in the last 24 hours, the fish have come back on the bite with a number of larger fish seen at Linden Bank yesterday (where we are heading today). Reports are of a large fish boated by Shaka last night, more information to come today. Iona also reported a big one. Kekoa released a 400lb-er and lost another estimated at 600lbs.

I'm heading back up to Cairns tomorrow and back on board Reel Chase on Friday. After a week's break, I'm ready to get back into it. Capt. Luke tells me the weather is yet to drop but by all forecasts that is happening tomorrow (touch wood) in the meantime he has been slogging it out on the Bank with a good number of other boats. Joining the team on board Kekoa are Andrew and Paul who I had the pleasure to join on board last year. Paul and Andrew are keeping things consistent - last year they experienced some of the worst weather of the season as well!! But there were fish, and they have started on the right note this trip with a 250lb-er for Paul on day 1. Other boats reporting a fish each on Tuesday were Allure, Mistress, Release and Ningaloo with a big sail.

Wednesday, more bad weather - short choppy and lots of current - Capt. Luke saw two tailers and raised on that didn't bite with just reports of a fish each on Calypso and Lanakai.

Lest you think that I have been lazing around through the break - I have some still shots from the hours of video footage I have been diligently dubbing onto the computer. (I still have hours to go!) But some of the shots for you below.

Mike, Brian, Joe, Dave, Stephen and Tony in that order.

The girl invariably in the pictures with the camera around her neck will speak volumes to you as to why my still shots are better than the video footage - I'm always in the way!

While many boats have returned to Port to wait out the cyclone, some are still taking advantage of it's indecision to get some fishing in. While the weather has been poor all week (and the rain strong over the last couple of days), the cyclonic winds have yet to arrive in force. Plus there are fish to catch.

Reaching the end of their cyclone trip, Kekoa has had a tough but good week entertaining the ladies on board while sister-ship Ningaloo fished the gentlemen. Friday saw the girls go 2 from 3 on smaller fish and the third being an 800lb-er which they 'accidentally' hooked while trying their hand at a spot of shark fishing! After some nice jumps at the back of the boat, a kink in the (shark) wire and she was gone. Meanwhile the boys released a 250lb-er.

Saturday saw a repeat of this effort with another 2 from 3 for the ladies a bigger 900lb fish getting away. Fishing nearby as part of the Marlin University trip, Release also found the fish for their students with 3 for the day including a double header of fish at 650 and 950lbs. Headmaster Peter Wright on board SeaBaby also finished the day with one. Meanwhile Kiwi boat Lanakai with Capt. Steve has been plugging away consistently with their second fish in two days.

Sunday, with an early cease fishing as they headed back in to Port, Kekoa released another on a truly very rainy day. The boys have a very well deserved day off in Port today, hopefully to be able to dry off, before they head back out tomorrow. Meanwhile the Reel Chase crew is likewise enjoying some well deserved rest until our next trip on Friday.

Steve was kind enough to send me a couple of photos of Gavin's 900lb-er on board Kekoa last week. [No doubt he was a bit busy fighting his own fish (est. 1000lbs) to take any shots of that one ;-) hee hee] Nice powerful jumps with Ulimate Lady in the back of shot! Great fish congrats to you both Steve and Gavin.

Capt. Jim tells me that yesterday was by far the worst weather day this year as they made their way up the back of the reef (for protection) to join the mothership at Lizard Island. And Capt. Luke fishing off Escape Reef was exhausted last night after a day of holding on with no fish to report for the discomfort. Other reports have Wild Turkey releasing a 700lb-er at Number 5 after a couple of quiet days and fishing on St. Crispens Brilliant Company releasing one as well.

With weather forecasts for Thursday looking just as bad, he's hoping it turns around soon.

Photos from Maritimo of their big fish over the weekend - courtesy of Angler Gary from Salt Water Sportsman and Yachting magazine in the US (look out for his write up in an upcoming issue). Both at Jenny Louise, the first was estimated at 950lb for Gary and the second at a grand for Chris.

Thanks guys for sharing these pics and congrats on the fish!

As an aside, I should mention I've been misspelling Maritimo for at least two months now - sorry about that...!

Back at Linden Bank yesterday Kekoa fought out the tough conditions releasing a small fish just before cease fishing and Capt. Luke tells me it was a much quieter day all round with only three fish that he heard of all day. Reel Chase spent the day in port before heading back up to the rock today. With the weather going from bad, to worse, to extremely bad over the next few days, my thoughts are with all the boats up there.

Quick mention I am off the boat for the next 10 days while the boys head back up to Lizard and beyond mother-shipping, so reports may be a little more sporadic with a lot less pictures until then.

Reel Chase returned to Jenny Louise over the weekend in search of a marlin for Jo and after jumping one off on Saturday, got his fish Sunday instead. It was Jo's first marlin and it surprised him how much it pulled.

Imagine how he would have felt to catch Sharky's?

Backing up another top weekend Maratimo released three on Saturday including a double header with one of 900lb. Sunday, we watched him catch a small fish early before backing over the horizon later on with the big girl on. I'm heading over there a little later this morning and will hopefully come back with a photo to show and update later.

Fascination also at the Shoal like us found the small fish. Reports from the Bank up to Number 10 are reporting a few bites here and there. Good luck to all in the big weather this week.

While we had a quiet last day before heading in for changeover, Capt. Luke and crew on board Kekoa showed us what marlin fishing is all about with a top day releasing 4 fish at Jenny Louise including a double header (one 900lbs) and a spectacular late bite of the big girl (1000lbs+) releasing her after dark and a one and half hour battle for angler Steve. The pics are stills of the video of both big fish which we sure look forward to watching!

Looking forward to getting back out there today!

Up the top was a much quieter day, reports of bite but not conversions. Hopefully that will change for the boats up there again today.

After a perfect weather run out East, we had a shot right after we put the baits in the water, tagging a 400lb-er on the Scaley. Soon after we had another couple of bites on the Sea Mount to keep us busy including a 300lb-er tagged and jumping another off. Overnight we anchored on the underwater mountain in 40 metres of water and had a bit of a rocky night but a quick swim with a Whale Shark in the morning rejuvenated us before we set off again.

This time fishing in towards Jenny Louise Shoal, we again had the hot bite just after the baits went back in the water but she didn't hook right and it was a sad sight to see the big girl (900lb+) spit the bait 20 foot in the air after a series of jumps. But a short while later Capt. Jim marked another and on the turn he came up behind the Scad and set in for a prolonged fight for this stubborn 400lb-er, hooked right in the corner of the jaw he lay on his side under the boat and gave Angler Mike a thorough workout - tagged and released just before we finished for the day.

Our Sea Mount fish as well as some of the other gamefish spoils from our sojourn.

Reports from the top indicate the bite up there is holding up as well. On Wild Turkey Capt. Ben broke off another big fish before releasing a 900lb-er at Number 10 and Tradition going 2 from 4 as well. Middle Ribbon's a bit quieter with boats fishing up that way now making their way to the bank. On Lana Kai II fishing on the bank yesterday they recorded raising 3 fish, hooking two unfortunately one was sharked and releasing a smaller fish. Also down this way Moana released one shortly after our arrival and Snap Dragon continued a good run releasing two Wednesday and two yesterday as well including one estimated 1200lb. Out wide Capt. Luke on Kekoa released 3 smaller blacks ending at Noggin Reef last night.

Joe is back from his super successful trip on Moana last week and has sent me some photos (below). Beside their 1140lb beauty they also had some fun with the Big Eye Tuna, jumping in the water with a 14 meter Whale Shark and teasing a pod of Pilot Whales up to the back of the boat!

The promising bite on Number 10 Ribbon shut down yesterday and many boats were once again left scratching heads. The conditions were ideal, a beautiful day to be on the water but the fish weren't cooperating. Boats that caught fish all reported small to teeny although still marking larger fish on the sounder. We had an entertaining day with sights of a small Sailfish Tailing being shooed by a larger territorial Black Marlin, another Marlin tailing without a care in the world or an interest in our baits and a school of Queenfish getting good air as they were chased across the Mudhole.

Kekoa had a bite out of larger fish at Heartbreak but she got wrapped in the leader and did not hook up but they did release a smaller fish with some spectacular underwater footage of the feisty little guy's snatch and gobble. On Reel Chase we managed another reasonably late bite for Mike and hooked up on a 200lb-er with attitude - the fish took off over the horizon and left Mike with some serious winding to catch up.

The lazy Sailfish tailing downsea, Mike's 200lb sprinter Black Marlin and Moana III first weighed grander.

The decision to go out wide proved a good one for Moana trolling lures 30 miles East of the Bank hooked up on a beauty. Unfortunately after a 2 1/2 hour fight she came up dead and so Daniel has weighed his first Grander on the new boat for reader Joe's mate Laurie at 1140-lbs. Congrats guys on a great fish!

Top: A beauty we jumped off earlier in the day as well as Mike's 600lb-er.
Bottom: Shaka running in behind the reef and Mike on the late bite.

On Reel Chase we worked our way down Number 10 after a morning swim on the Cod Hole. Capt. Jim was marking good fish and as we watched the Island boat catch one nearby we had a bite out of an absolute beauty.....but unfortunately the hook didn't stick. And, it wasn't until the very end of the day and a few bites later that it did and Mike released a nice 600lb-er just after sunset.

Nearby Kekoa also took advantage of the late bite releasing a smaller fish before ducking in behind Number 10 before dark. Other boats also having a good day on Number 10 included Iona with 3 from 5 bites including one 750lb, Reel Ripe releasing two in the 6-700lb range and Shaka releasing another good fish as well. Maratimo continued their dream run with seemingly one bite after another.

Ultimate Lady fishing on the Sea Mount scored 3 from 5 bites on Saturday but had a much quieter Sunday. Moana also had a quieter day yesterday after their double header the day before and has set off to go out wide in search again.

It is another glamour weather day on the GBR - hopefully we'll be able to take advantage of the weather to get some more fishing action cshots.

There are worse places to be!

The beautiful Lizard Island Lodge and our little guy fishing on Day Reef yesterday.

On a day trip out from the island we enjoyed the relatively calm weather after a morning swim to the net result of this little guy just before cease fishing. With our Anglers coming back on board today for the rest of the trip, we will be departing the Rock for a swim at the Cod Hole before heading down Number 10 which seemed to see most of the action yesterday - Square Bear had another good day with three fish and Shaka also caught a big one there.

Meanwhile in the lower Ribbons, a few fish were caught including double header for Moana at Lena which included one about 900lbs (hope that regular reader Joe is having a ball on board!) as well as fish for The Ultimate and Ningaloo at Number 4 with another about 750lbs.

The fleet is now spread the length of the reef from Linden Bank to Number 10 Ribbon in search of a hot bite. And again, some boats recorded good fish while nearby others recorded nothing. Near us on 10, Square Bear got amongst the rat pack with a good bite of small fish early. Meanwhile on Reel Chase, we had a bite out of a very nice fish only for her to disappear with the bait but not the hook. Despite seeing quite a few others including a group of at least 6 that buzzed our baits, that was our day.

Wild Turkey fishing on Number 7 released this nice fish Ben called 750lbs.

Reports of Little Audrey tagging 3 on Linden Bank should further spread the fleet. We're visiting the Rock today and tomorrow so we'll find out if the fish have made it this far North.

300lbs. That's the size we put on it anyway but when we reviewed the footage at the end of the day, we loved this shot. Amazing what a good camera can do! (Canon EOS 20D for this one.)

Not much to report for yesterday. The entire fleet battled strong winds and rain squalls for the entire day mostly without joy. The two boats that I hear caught fish covered both ends of the scale - a 900lb-er for Mauna Kea and a 50lb-er for Ningaloo.

Today's quiz - how heavy is this fish?

Stay tuned tomorrow and we'll tell you.

In the meantime, big wind, big fish action is back on the menu with another two reported sightings of Godzilla at the bottom of Number 4. Unfortunately for all of us, she's not eating...

Other boats a little further North saw some more action. Brilliant Company caught two at the top Number 7 including a 900lb-er and Calypso also caught two at 5 and a Half including a 900lb-er and Ben on Wild Turkey also caught two little fish.

We caught just the one for the day (for Mike on Day 1) following up on our one fish the day before.

Photo below, Brilliant Company on a smaller fish on Tuesday as well as our previous day's fish Tuesday for super angler Dave.