We had Photo Journo and ex-Blue Water Magazine editor David Granville on board with us over the weekend. His skills behind the tag pole aside, David also took some awesome shots flying Black Marlin and the tournament Sail Past including this one of me fighting a fish on Saturday.

You can take a look at all his tournament pics by clicking on his picture at left or by visiting his site here.

Thanks David!

David has been amongst the action of the Blue Marlin bite at Cape Morton on the past couple of weeks, tagging another yesterday, and reports a consistent bite of one or two a day.

Reel Chase in the Sail Past; two more fish for Tagpole on Kekoa - 'All Lit Up' and 'Barnacle Bill'.

The two day tournament finished on a high with another good number of fish tagged on Day two. On board Kekoa, Tagpole added another two Black Marlin to his talley and managed to take home the runner-up Champion Male Angler trophy for his efforts. His first fish for the day was a healthy 70kg black that provided a spectacular display (all lit up) for all on board as it almost climbed up the outrigger in an attempt to eat the teaser bait. So keen was he to eat the teaser, he did not immediately notice the hooked switch bait dangling right in front of his nose, only two foot from the rod tip. After eventually finding it and hooking up, the fish was successfully released but not before a tough battle ensued. Tagpole's second was another smaller fish but gave a us a good display of jumps once again with the GC skyline on the horizon.

After a slower start on Day 1 Reel Chase also steamed into early contention on Day two - but despite having a good number of strikes (7), tagged just the two for the day. The ladies team on Phantom once again managed to take home the Grand Prize with four Black Marlin tagged. All in all, a good fun weekend on the water.

After a big night celebrating the start of the comp there were a few sore heads running out for the 7am start fishing. The Gold Coast turned on the weather though after a rainy start the skies cleared and it was magic on the water. And after a slow start in the AM, the fishing turned on as the day progressed as well.

On Kekoa, I fought a estimated 30kg Black Marlin for about 15 minutes before the fish came unhooked just out of tagging range. Team-mate Tagpole made up for it soon after releasing a 20kg Black on the pitch bait to put us on the board. In all, there were more than 50 fish tagged or captured (other game fish) on the second sked of the day and I am counting about 20 billfish tag flags here at the Marina. However, Tournament Base is remaining very tight lipped on the current exact standings so I will have to endeavor to find out more tomorrow instead.

More Satellite Tagging News: Capt. Laurie on Sir Reel tagged a Bull Shark off Number 10 Ribbon Reef in early October that released its tag in a creek in Upstart Bay (just south of Townsville) at the end of November. That's a pretty good distance for the shark to cover - and to go from the pristine waters on the Ribbons to muddy mangrove creek! Must have been keen for a feed of mud crabs ;-)

Greetings to all. I hope you had a fantastic holiday season and a great start to the new year.

We are back and fishing this weekend's tournament - the Riviera Light Tackle Masters - here on the Gold Coast. The fishing has been reasonably consistent with small Black Marlin caught close inshore, straight in front of the spectacular high rise coastline. Although the fish are small and not in particularly large concentrations, most boats have been catching in the region of one or two a day.

Cape Morton has been producing a reasonable Blue Marlin bite for those who venture further afield. I've also heard reports of excellent Blue Marlin fishing off Coffs Harbour and Smokey Cape - reports of trailer boats catching up to four a day. Blue Marlin are also biting well off Port Stephens and Newcastle.

Speaking of Port Stephens, not too long before Reel Chase will be heading that way. Joining the boat down there I will be keeping regular reporting going for the Striped Marlin season though am sure that we will also release our share of Blacks and Blues.

In the meantime, both Reel Chase and Kekoa will be joining the fleet at Hope Harbour today with the tournament kicking off with the briefing tonight. Reports and pictures to come. I will be fishing on board Kekoa with Capt. Luke. We are all fired up to give (Dad) Capt. Jim and team on Reel Chase a run for their money ;-)

Picture: Dolphins frolic in the bait schools at the fishing ground just off the spectacular Gold Coast coastline.