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!

On the bank, Capt. Jared Weir and team on Shaka had their fish attracting mojo going yesterday catching fish–including big fish–while the rest of us watched. They finished the day with 5 from 9 including one that Capt. Jared put at well over the mark, as well as one other nice one.  Unfortunately the big fish didn’t jump so no photos but this great shot of one of the smaller fish.

Nearby, we were hassled by the smaller male fish trying to pounce on the big bait. Then, just moments before lines in, pounce one did. Right on our favourite and popular teaser concoction which disappeared into the blue tube. Gone! (We called our teaser Sammi – it was a Mud Flap teaser with a Larva Lure teaser head and has raised many a fish.  Goodbye Sammi, we’ll miss you! RIP scuba seal!)  Likewise Capt. Tim Richardson on Tradition had a couple of bites and ended up with a 300lb mako late in the day.

Further to the south, Capt. Tim Dean on Calypso, raised the biggest fish he’s seen in years which missed two baits then sadly disappeared.  He ended with two from five around 250-300. And, Capt. Chris Jolly on Amokura who fished nearby Tim reports two from four in the last two days of fishing at 200 and 500lbs.

And further to the south, Little Audrey are continuing their good run with another two from three at 150 and 350lbs.  Capt. Dan said they also missed one about the 600lbs mark.  And Capt. Ian “Wobbles” Ford Hot Shot returned to Port from their final Cairns trip of 2011. Dave says that while they weren’t primarily marlin fishing they still managed to release a couple and had great fun with the dogtooth tuna jigging program. They went 2 from 4 blue marlin and also raised a 900lb black while doggie fishing and caught a 500black on the doggie gear too!

If you’re on Facebook you will have seen the midday update yesterday from Rhino and Mustard who are taking Iona 2 home to Newcastle/Port Stephens.  From 3pm Wednesday to lunchtime yesterday fishing off Fraser Island, they were at 5 from 10 (4 blue marlin and a stripe – and it was actually 5 from 9), including a double header of blues on Thursday morning (Rhino said he woke up to both reels screaming!) What a great effort considering there was only the two of them on board.  In true Rhino fashion, he’s already made the video, you can check it out here. The two boys having fun! (I particularly like the part where the boys on the double header, casually cross over from covering board to covering board!)

Over in Weipa, Notso and fellow guide Owey spent the day on the water in search of billies on fly and ended up 1 from 2.  As a guide, Owey is used to putting his clients onto the fish and had never caught a billfish as an angler before. Not bad when your very first billfish is on fly!