A general guide to the billfish seasons on Australia’s East Coast.  If you have a region that you’d like to see on this page, email me.

Cairns Heavy Tackle Giant Black Marlin

Every year in September (through December), giant black marlin return to the warm waters of the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, from Cairns to Lizard Island. They come from all over the Pacific to spawn, giant females to sizes in excess of 1,000lb that attract smaller male fish and a posse of international anglers.

Seeking the fish of your dreams, this is the place to be! If you are interested in learning a little bit more about fishing in this region, please take a look at this story I wrote for Qantas AIR magazine (March 2010 issue) about the 2009 Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic.

Port Stephens – Striped, Blue and Black Marlin

Home of Australia’s largest gamefishing competition, the NSW Interclub in February/March every year. Blue, black and striped marlin are prolific in these waters and a marlin grand slam – all three species in a single day – is not uncommon.

Gold & Sunshine Coast – Blacks, Sails and Blues

Light tackle fishing for black marlin and sailfish in the summer and mid to heavy tackle fishing for blue marlin during the cooler months.

Townsville – Juvenile Black Marlin and Sailfish

Off Townsville’s Cape Bowling Green huge baitschools attract sailfish and juvenile black marlin at the end of winter, July through early September.