Hi everyone, if you see this message still here when you check the blog for tomorrow’s report it means we’re out of phone/internet range. We’ll be back on Friday though if not before–hopefully with some big fish reports!

A few more fish around Monday on the Reef. Capt. Tim Richardson on Tradition released three from four including one at 800lbs and a couple of smaller fish.  He was joined at Linden Bank by Capt. Troy Dallman’s Cool Runnings who also released two that he put at 500 and 650lbs.

Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso left Cairns on his last trip of the season yesterday and fished to the south heading for Myrmidon Reef. Tim released two on the way from Noggin to Gilbey Reef at 300 and 550lbs. Hopefully we’ll hear more reports as he picks his way down.

Off the Light, on KEKOA we went for a look out yonder past the green water and returned to go one from two which puts us on four for the first two days of this trip (photo at top).

And, on his way south off Lady Musgrave Island, Capt. Brett Thomas on Gorilla reports they released an 850lb black marlin for angler Garry Gleeson.  Brett says they also fought a 600lb blue marlin for a short while as well.  Good stuff Brett!

Fewer reports from fishing on Sunday. On KEKOA we left port again and headed to the grounds off Euston Light where we went three from three on small male blacks. One of the fish had a very distinct bite mark from a Cookie Cutter shark, photo below. As did the dolphin fish we caught on the way out.

Back at the bottom of the bank, there were a few fish raised but without luck. Paul on Think Big told me he raised a few smaller males that tried to eat the big bait without success and one big female who did, but without hookup. Capt. Daniel Carlson and team on Little Audrey left Cairns yesterday, and then returned again last night!  Mate Jeff Hudson has broken his shoulder (hope it gets better soon Jeff!). They head south on their extended journey home to Sydney today.  Dan said they missed a double header straight after lines in (including one nice big fish) and raised a couple more.

On KEKOA we finished up our final day of the trip with Scott and Ian yesterday adding two on the final day at a nice solid 800lbs for Scott, and another fiesty smaller fish for Ian. I think I redeemed myself with the photos too. That makes 5 in the three days with two big fish at 800 and 1000lbs!

Also fishing nearby and ending up another trip, Capt. Bob Jones on Iceman who also released two.  Bobby and his crew have now wound up their 2011 season and will be heading south.

Joe Zammitt who’s just spent another week on the reef sent me the video below from the 900lb-er released on Saltaire on Friday taken from nearby. Great footage Joe – thank you!

And that’s all I have right now!  Another quick report this morning as we are on changeover. If any more reports come in, I will add them later so please check back!

Capt. Jared Weir on Shaka, well what can I say, if your only bite of the day (they stopped fishing after) is a grander black marlin, or 1100lbs, you’re having a great day!! (I should have the exact size soon. Update: It was 1097lbs.) Chris Morris was the angler–who also caught all five on Thursday. Well done Chris, what a top effort to all on board!!

Likewise, on KEKOA, we had a great day start to our day. Our first bite was a triple header and we watched them go bang…scad, bang…stinger, bang…big bait. The stinger promptly fell off but we were hooked to two fish, a big and small. Since Scott was on strike he decided to do both of them quickly bringing the smaller fish to the boat first so that we could go and chase the larger. 45 minutes minutes later, with only one series of big jumps, she was beside the boat and released and Capt. Luke put her at over 1000lbs! Two down for Scott and Ian was in the chair next for his very first marlin–which gave him a tough time (as did the heckler behind)–before giving us another great arial display on the leader. Three from several as after that we were hassled by the smaller males again and pulled the hooks on one more at the back of the boat. (I have photo envy today, no real good photos of our big fish )

Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso also had a top day finishing with three from three including one nice solid fish that he put at 850lbs.

Capt. Damien Collette on Saltaire also fished Linden Bank on a day trip out of Cairns and released a 900lb-er at Spur Reef just before home time. Damien’s 16 year old son Jake was on the leader for his first big fish wire! Congrats to all!

Capt. Tim Richardson on Tradition also released two from three also before heading into Cairns for changeover. Likewise, Capt. Daniel Carlson on Little Audrey finished up their trip yesterday with zero’s but still 7 for the 5 days fishing including three over a grand! And Capt. Bobby Jones on Iceman fought a big fish for 2.5 hours late in the day before unfortunately she was lost.

Back on the Gold Coast, Capt. Brent James now at the helm of the Mauna Kea released a blue marlin approximately 250lbs on his first day’s charter. The fish was successfully switch baited onto 50lb tackle. Also Vince on private boat Barco tells me they also released a blue, it was a long day to find it, but find it they did!