Captain Billy Billson
Captain Billy Billson has been game fishing since the age of 10. After finishing an apprenticeship as a Marine Engineer, and running successful businesses for years, Bill bought his first sport fishing boat. Though it was only 5.65 meters (18 feet) it was a consistent club Tournament winner in Sydney, at his home Port Broken Bay, and had some outstanding captures to its name. Bill’s 458 lb Blue Marlin on 30 lb test helped establish the now successful blue marlin fishery out of NSW; He was a pioneer in fishing the continental shelf off the NSW coast for Marlin
Bill’s boats and his ambitions grew steadily. After setting two world records and winning the largest game fishing tournament in Australia he set a goal of becoming a charter boat captain. The Great Barrier Reef became Bill’s second home as he travelled to Cairns for 4 months every year to work as a crewman fishing for Giant Black Marlin on some of Cairns most famous boats… After 5 seasons Bill had an offer to run a boat in Cairns.
Bill’s relationship with the 40ft Custom Woodnutt Viking began in 1986, and after six years of building up a business and a reputation, Bill bought the Viking and the business Australian Marlin Charters from his employer.
After a total re-fit and re-power (work which was all done by Bill) the original Viking became one of the most consistent and successful sport fishing charter boats working out of Cairns. Clients included such notables as Skip Smith (ex-skipper of the “Hooker” and one of the world’s best known world record charter boat captains), Dick and Marg Love (multiple World Record Holders), Tom Pfleger (multiple World record holder), and Tracy Melton (Melton International Tackle and famed stand-up specialist).
One of Bill’s regular clients, Tom Pfleger, who has fished with him consistently for 10 years, formed a partnership with Bill to design and build a new State of the Art Sportsfisher. Bill was commissioned by Tom to be the sole principal for the design and construction of the project. In July 1997, the new the new 46ft custom Woodnutt Viking II was launched. She is considered to be one of the most outstanding, practical and versatile sports fishers that Australia has to offer.
In 2001 Bill purchased the VIKING II and has maintained it in pristine condition ever since. It has been repowered and refitted; the vessel now in its 16th year has achieved some amazing fishing achievements with Captain Billy Billson at the helm.
Today the name Capt Billy Billson and Game and Sport fishing go hand in hand. Internationally renowned, with over 30 years as a professional Captain and crew. His Captain and marine qualifications are some of the highest in the industry. In his History as Captain of Viking and Viking 11, his outstanding achievements include winning the prestigious Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic 5 times runners up as many, also winning the largest fish award in this tournament numerous times. He has also been the winner of the largest tournament in the southern Hemisphere, The NSW Interclub, 4 times to name just a few of his tournament results. Billson who has now resided in the Gold Coast for 6 years has already caught one of his clients the largest marlin ever weighed off this Port ( 836lb Blue Marlin );
He has been Captain for world records of black Marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, and mako sharks. And was the Captain for the largest blue marlin and striped marlin ever to be caught on fly fishing tackle. Some of these records are still standing.
Billy Billson’s Bluewater Sport fishing workshops, started in 2001, and has set precedence in the training of new and seasoned sport fishing enthusiasts. He has spread his experience and knowledge to over 300 students, since the workshops begun, and has caught many of these students there first marlin.
Recently a great friend and long time client Beau Kuok (owner of the Shangri La Chain of hotels) became a part of the Viking 11 and Australian Marlin Charters team. Beau and his lovely wife Ying enjoy utilizing the boat on the Barrier reef as well as other destinations on the east coast of Australian when visiting.