All the information regarding hotels, air travel, trip duration, departure times, departure locations etc, are exactly the same for reef trips as for West coast trips. Only the location of the fishery is different with different species to catch and different equipment required to catch them.

When to Go

Barrier Reef trips are conducted in the southern hemisphere summer (late November through early April) and trip departure dates are carefully selected on the best tide and moon phase usually coinciding with the best weather as well. These are the hotter months of the year with temperatures in the 90’s and good sun protection is a must. The motherships air-conditioning plant keeps the vessel at a cool 71 degrees. The water is crystal clear, cool and azure blue and perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Location

Instead of traveling south into the Gulf of Carpentaria we go due east, 100 miles to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef and the shelf of the Australian continental tectonic plate where the water drops off to in excess of three thousand feet. The mothership anchors in the lee of the reef in sight of the fishing action.

The fishing boats

The skiffs taken are the larger of the mother ships fleet and anglers fish 3 to a larger boat with a guide. A session self drive “two up” in the company of the guided boats is sometimes but rarely required.

Tackle

The Barrier Reef fishery is something that need s to be experienced to be believed and your equipment needs to be in top order if you want to land the larger fish. A minimum of 50lb braid, 80 is better, on a best quality spin reel like a Shimano Stella or Diawa Saltiga matched to a quality 7 odd foot rod that can throw a 3 to 4 oz lure as your primary rod. Unfortunately your old faithful 750 or 850SS Penn Spinfisher on your old “ugly stick” is not up to the job. A second rod would be another spin out fit with 50lb braid or an overhead trolling / jigging outfit also with 80lb braid.

Lures and Terminal tackle.

You will need at least 15 large deep diving trolling minnows, Yo Zuri Hydro Magnum R388 as an example, and at least 12 large surface poppers, Yo Zuri Surface bull GT F178 as an example. All lures in bright chrome colors, gold especially. If you want to try deep jigging, some knife jigs like the new Shimano butterfly jig system should be included. There are lots of good lures that work, these are just some good examples available in the US You need 80lb(+ -) monofilament leader and 88lb(+ -) single strand stainless steel wire and brass connection to line rings. Spare treble hooks and rings for your lures. Spare braid.

All your lures and terminal tackle can be purchased from Cairns Tackle and Bait Shop in Cairns the day before your trip.

Fly fishing tackle

This is not a fly fishery, most certainly bring your #10 or 12 and you will catch fish but you will wear out, loose fish, loose lines and gear, and have fun. Large streamer flys and popping heads for same on floating lines.

Call 888-409-2008 or aus@fishabout.com