Hi all
One of your members, peterbo3, directed me to this site some time ago, and I've just now signed up.
I will be coming to Australia for a conference in November. The conference runs from the 17th to the 20th in Adelaide.
However, I have some free time before then that I was thinking of trying to get a light tackle charter at the GBR via Cairns. You know, the only place that us outsiders hear about is the GBR . . .
I understand that this time of year is the heavy tackle/big black marlin season. Not sure if that's what I want to do, as I'd rather do some light tackle fishing for pelagics and small billfish. A light tackle / reef fishing combination day would be fine, as well.
I've tried Cairns Reef Charter Services, who is in the charter directory on this site, but it seems as if the date that I was looking for (Monday, Nov. 12th) is right at the very end of the heavy tackle season and there's nothing much available.
Anyway, at this point, I would greatly appreciate some suggestions or contact info for any (good!!) charter service that might be able to accommodate us (my wife - novice; myself - somewhat experienced). Right now, I'm also not tied to Cairns, but would be open to traveling anywhere along the GBR that we could fly into (i.e., Hamilton Island??). Otherwise, anywhere else around Australia that may provide some good fishing this time of year??
In the US, I run my own boat,
http://www.albemarleboats.com/offshore/320XF.html, and have done a little fishing in my time. That being said, I would prefer a charter service that works hard to provide a good chance of having a catch, and not one that is just going to give me a tour of the reef while dragging hookless lures around.
Anyway, thanks for having me here and for your help in getting something set up. I really look forward to my visit to your country, and hopefully I will have some good fishing pictures to bring back home.
Cheers!
Kevin