Hello folks

Well as forecast the little marlin dominated the fishery out of Port Stephens this season, although some larger species up to 150kg were encounted,which were testing on the 10kg tackle, the small blacks were around in big numbers this season, the striped marlin as of yet have not turned up in the large numbers as previous years, although on some days, we had some great fishing with larger than normal striped marlin, but unfortunately the consistantancy was not there. The Viking 11 is still in Port Stephens until around the middle of this month, and still working and getting as usual great results, I am having a little break and will known Port Stephens Captain ShaneWilson is at the helm giving the clients some Great days. The South Alligator River is where I will be chasing Barra.

Speaking of Barra, I got a call from my eldest daughter Holly, 19 years old a couple of days ago. Daddy I just caught a 1.16 meter barra was her opening words, I was so stoked and proud as punch, Rhys Moore Holly’s Partner put her on the fish, and from all reports gave holly a hell of a fight, until the net  went under the fish.

http://www.fishingworld.com.au/news/port-firing-in-lead-up-to-interclub

Hello folks

Viking 11 is currently at Port Stephens, and as predicted the amazing small black marlin fishing on the East coast of Australia this year has spread down to this fishery. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Port Stephens, It is a got to go there place. My first true experience of Game fishing still in primary school, was at Port Stephens, and memories of giant fish hanging from the Shoal bay weigh station in the late 60′s are still in the depths of my mind.  My first ever marlin I caught off Port Stephens, and later in life The largest tournament in this country The NSW Interclub held off Port Stephens we won, and as history would now show have won a total of 4 times. It is also a destination regularly mentioned in the IGFA world record book many times for outstanding Captures on light, Ultralight, and Saltwater flyfishing tackle, The largest fish ever to be caught on flyfishing tackle ( 138 kg Blue Marlin on 10kg tippet ) was caught out of Port Stephens on Viking 11.

So as you can see, it holds as a special place for me, and many others who have experienced the sort of fishing this place can produce. Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin Grand slams .

Days of double figure striped marlin are not uncommon, and this season with the large influx of small black marlin, so much fun on lighter tackle, Both species big number days, will be possible.

The few days that I have already done out of Port Stephens, have produced some big number days, with the clients having a ball, some of this excellent fishing is only a few miles out the front of the Bay, making it very easy, The big tournament month of February is upon us, and itis peak season hear now, so come aboard for the Viking experience, off Port Stephens .

Capt Billy Billson

Hello folks

Sorry for the big delay since last blog, The boats wireless system had a hick up, so comunication has been hard. The viking 11 arrived back on the Gold Coast on the 10th of December so playing catch up with every thing, including my Children.

As per some previous years, the fishing moved a little out from the reef edge, during the later part of November, and besides marlin to entertain the guests ,we were also ambushed by some big yellowfin tuna. To move around and find the pods of fish, lure fishing was the go. One special day we had out wide we had all of the 130lb outfits screeming at once, marlin in the air as well as yellow fin over 100lb, it was mayham to say the least.

The giant blacks were amongst all the comocean, and some very large fish were encounted by some lucky anglers. Giant marlin on lures are a blowout!, and the water that these huge fish move when chasing down a lure, resembles a submarine, arriving to the surface.

Our season was spectacular, some mighty fish, great times with my clients and crew, and Viking 11 ran like the machine she was built to be.

Our score

Being conservitive we released 4 marlin over 1000lb plus one of these over 1100lb plus, 2 marlin 950lb to 1000lb, 3 marlin 850 to 950lb Total just below 50 fish for 62 days, we had other days were we were not chasing marlin.

I will be working out of the Gold Coast untill the middle of January, than off to Port Stephens, untill April.

May I take this oportunity to wish all a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. And look forward to seeing you aboard with us real soon.

http;//www.fishingworld.com.au/news/report–grander-no-5

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http;//www.fishingworld.com.au/news/report-and-video-marlin-girls

CLICK ABOVE

Fishingworld wishes to apologise to Kaorina for mis-spelling her name on video.

Hello folks

Beau finished his first trip, with 8 marlin good on a trip that half of it is dedicated to catching Coral trout and Red emperor. Beau’s Daughter’s first time trip caught Two and friend Sussie caught her first two as well.  Biggest fish of the trip was caught by Eduardo that I put at 800lbs.  We ae looking forward to having them on board again next week.

Started new trip from Cooktown with the Tatham’s from Karratha WA who are on their 4th trip on the Viking and day 1 started a blinder.  An hour after lines in, a nice fish took the stinger and Steve took the rod. Due to his wealth of experience, Steve has no hesitation in applying maximum drag and after a drenching going backwards, a 950lbs was released with a dancing salute back to the boat.  Day 2 saw the weather take a turn for the worse and the fishing became testing.  After a long and uneventful day, headed back to the reef to try again today.

http;//www.fishingworld.com.au/news/east-coast-marlin-season-shaping-up

EAST COAST MARLIN SEASON SHAPING UP

http;//www.fishingworld.com.au/news/cairns-big-girl-eludes-swiss-angler

CLICK ON ABOVE LINK.

Greetings to all.

Johan my new Swiss friend finished his 6 days on board with another big fish to his name, A little earlier start due to his last day and earlier finish saw us  catching some nice fresh Bonito. They were put in the water at 10.00 and soon after a very active 200lber was released.

Another fresh morsel was put out, and a quality 8oolber grabbed it. Johan was more than impressed, with his trip, 8 for his 6 days  a 900lber a 800lber and came close to keeping a fish well over 1000lb.

Beau my partner owner of the Shangri la chain of hotels, Started his trip on the 4th, Beau this time bought along his daughter for the first time and regular young couple Susie and Eduardo. A nice lunch on the Mothership Galaxy, and we started fishing at 13.30. What a after noon we had.

Sussie was put on strike first by Beau,  and a hot hour of fishing began. Susie who has never caught a marlin before was hooked up to a very active 600lber, than Beau’s daughter who also has never seen a marlin, got a 400lber, Beau jumped in the chair for a 300lber all in a very active hour.

Things settled down, and  Eduardo was wating his turn, and at 17.00 it happened a nice 800lber grabed the long bait, and the fun began again.

What a great afternoon Beau was ecstatic, He yelled up to me” Bill back to the mothership to celebrate ” Which of Cause I obliged!!

Love this job.