Fishing Cairns, Australia
Just ask a local – the Far North is a fantastic place for fishing. Not only does this part of the world enjoy beautiful warm weather most of the year, but the tropical waters are brimming with exotic sea life. Recreational fishing is a major pastime in the area, for obvious reasons.
What can I catch?
The two most famous fish to catch in this area are Barramundi and Marlin.
Barramundi is an elusive fish that spawns in freshwater creeks and then migrates to saltwater estuaries. During this transition, the Barramundi changes sex from male to female. Barra, as is it commonly called in the north, is a delicious table fish and is without doubt the most sought after catch. Please note that Barramundi must be released back into the wild between midday 1st of November to midday on the 1st of February.
In Cairns Black Marlin is big game. It's the equivalent to catching a tiger in the African wilderness, without the danger of driving it to extinction. Boat tours operate daily to hunt for the marlin. These are large fish, several meters long and they provide an exciting fight for any angler.
Other prized fish in the area include:
- Mangrove Jack
- Black Marlin
- Coral Trout
- Flathead
- Sooty Grunter
- Barracuda
- Snapper
- Red Emperor
- Sweetlip
- Spanish Mackerel
- Jungle Perch
- Queenfish
…the list goes on…
Light Tackle Private Charter Cairns Fishing Boats
| Tour | Adult Price | Child Price | Tour Includes | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Tackle Sole Charter on Billfish | P.O.A. | P.O.A. | Max 5 Anglers, All Tackle, Experianced Crew, Operates Dec - Sept, Accommodating all skill levels | Book Online Ask Question |
| Custom Private Charter on Phantom | From $3600 | -NA- | Return Transfer from Port Douglas, Gormet Cuisine, Assorted Soft Drink and Beer and Wines, Snorkel Tuition and Equipment, Light Tackel Fishing incl Tackle and Bait, Experianced Crew, Accommodating all skill levels | Check Avail Ask Question |
| Custom Private Charter on Moana | From $2750 | -NA- | Buffet Lunch, Water, Light Refreshments, Light Tackel Fishing incl Tackle and Bait, Experianced Crew, Accommodating all skill levels | Check Avail Ask Question |
Light Tackle Share Charter Cairns Fishing Boats
| Tour | Adult Price | Child Price | Tour Includes | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Tackle Share Charter on Reef Runner | $220 | $220 | Live Baiting, Bottom Fishing, and High Speed Jigging for Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo, Tuna, Marlin. Includes complimentary photos emailed | Book Online More Info |
| Light Tackle Share Charter on Billfish | $395 | $395 | Max 5 Anglers, All Tackle, Experianced Crew, Operates Dec - Sept, Accommodating all skill levels | Book Online More Info |
Heavy Tackle Private Charter Cairns Fishing Boats
| Tour | Adult Price | Child Price | Tour Includes | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Tackle Sole Charter on Billfish | P.O.A. | P.O.A. | Livaboard and Extended Charters also Available, Max 4 Anglers, All Tackle, Experianced Crew, Operates Sept - Dec (Giant Black Marlin Season), Accommodating all skill levels | Book Online More Info |
| Custom Private Charter on Moana Aug - Jan | From $3500 | -NA- | Buffet Lunch, Water, Light Refreshments, Heavy Tackle Fishing incl Tackle and Bait, Experianced Crew, Accommodating all skill levels | Check Avail |
| Custom Private Charter on Dragon Lady Sept - Jan | From $1980 | -NA- | Tropical Lunch, Water, Light Refreshments, BYO Alcohol, Heavy Tackle Fishing incl Tackle and Bait, Experianced Crew, Accommodating all skill levels (Tag and Release Only) | Check Avail |
Heavy Tackle Share Charter Cairns Fishing Boats
| Tour | Adult Price | Child Price | Tour Includes | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Tackle Share Charter on Billfish | P.O.A | P.O.A. | Max 4 Anglers, All Tackle, Experianced Crew, Operates Sept - Dec, Accommodating all skill levels | Book Online More Info |
Estuary and River Fishing Cairns
| Tour | Adult Price | Child Price | Tour Includes | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estuary Fishing on Kingfisher (Half Day) | $85 | $85 | Tea and Coffe, Soft Drinks, Tackle and Bait, Experianced Guide | Book Online More Info |
| Estuary Fishing on All Tackle (Full Day) | $160 | $140 | Morning and Afternoon Tea, Cold Drinks, Tackle and Bait | Book Online More Info |
| Half Day Cairns Estuary Fishing | $90 | $70 | Morning and Afternoon Tea, Cold Drinks, Tackle and Bait | Book Online More Info |
| Full Day Cairns Estuary Fishing on Gone Fishin’ | $160 | $160 | Morning and Afternoon Tea, Cold Drinks, Tackle and Bait | Book Online More Info |
| Half Day Morning Cairns Estuary Fishing on Gone Fishin’ | $85 | $85 | Complimentary One Way Transfer, Morning and Afternoon Tea, Cold Drinks, Tackle and Bait | Book Online More Info |
| Half Day Afternoon Cairns Estuary Fishing on Gone Fishin’ | $85 | $85 | Complimentary One Way Transfer, Morning and Afternoon Tea, Cold Drinks, Tackle and Bait | Book Online More Info |
Types of fishing
In the Far North, there are multitudes of fishing environments to experience.
- Estuary Fishing – Mangrove-lined creeks such as the Cairns Inlet are a breeding ground for many marine creatures. Top catches include Mangrove Jack, Flathead and Whiting. While fishing in this area, place a few crab pots alongside the mangroves and score a feed of fresh mud crabs.
- Beach Fishing – There is very little surf in this part of the world, making beach fishing relatively easy. Large scavengers patrol this area of water, including small sharks and mackerel.
- Reef Fishing – One of the most popular areas to fish because of the crystal clear waters and exotic fish in great numbers. Coral Trout are the big prize when fishing the reef.
- Deep Sea Fishing – This is where the big boys play. Seek out marlins, big sharks, and barracuda.
- Freshwater Fishing – Creeks, lakes and dams are home to large varieties of fish. Tinaroo Dam on the Atherton Tablelands, 1.5 hours drive from Cairns, is home to the biggest wild barramundi in the world.
When fishing in the Far North, please respect fishing seasons, bag limits, and the fragile tropical ecosystem. If you don't intend to eat your fish, release it back to the wild to live another day.
Some individual Fishing Companies
Here's a small selection of just some of the fishing companies and tour operators which leave from Far North Queensland. Click on their business names below to see their website. You may also find many individual charter operators as the members of the Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association.
Estuary Fishing
- Fishing The Tropics - A long-term Cairns local business, Fishing The Tropics is a very well known local fishing tour. Offering lure & fly fishing, river fishing and estuary fishing, Fishing The Tropics provides quality Daiwa fishing tackle on all charters.
Reef Fishing
- Boomerang Sport fishing Holidays - Extensive experience in North Queensland fishing, Boomerang concentrates on the Cape York river systems as well as reef fishing.
- Cape Tribulation Wilderness Cruises - With full day reef fishing charters form just $165 with all tackle included, this charter is hard to go past. Additionally, their set off near the Daintree Rainforest location means it takes just under 1h to reach the great fishing areas of the Cairns Great Barrier Reef.
Deep Sea Fishing
- Moana Cairns Marlin Fishing - Clocking up the biggest marling award in last year's Lizard Island Classic, Moana Marlin Fishing is one of the best operators if you are looking for a heavy tackle charter, or hoping to do a spot of black marlin fishing. Skip Daniel is mad keen and highly experienced.
- Billfish Sports Fishing – Highly celebrated crew in Cairns, MV Billfish specialises in heavy tackle marlin fishing, popper casting and light tackle sports fishing.
For comprehensive information about fishing throughout Tropical North Queensland, visit Fishing Cairns. This website provides detailed instructions about the best fishing spots in the region and how to catch the silver giants beneath the waves.
Accommodation for Fishermen
At Flying Fish Point, Villa Waters Beach House is ideally located for accommodation during your estuary fishing holiday.
If you're heading up to Cape York, many people stop in at Portland House near the Iron Range National Park. This holiday home by the beach is a gorgeous place to get back your land legs.