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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!
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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!)
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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.
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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!
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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.
