Ever since Capt. George Bransford the pioneer of Australian marlin fishing, landed the first 1,000-pound black marlin off Australia in 1966, boats operating out of the north east Australian port of Cairns in Queensland have accounted for more big marlin than any other spot in the world. The area is of course also world famous for the magnificent Great Barrier Reel, and it been estimated that more than 800 ‘granders’ (marlin weighing over 1,000lb) have been caught here. The only thing missing is the world black marlin record, which at 1560lb was caught off Peru, in 1953. The IGFA says that 70% of granders caught anywhere in the world have been taken along the 150 mile stretch of the reef between Cairns and Lizard Island.

Trolled lures have of course accounted for many of the largest, but these days the top boats use big, trolled deadbaits in the hope of fooling one of these huge females. The crews look to return the marlin these days, thankfully, and many of them encourage ‘light’ tackle marlin fishing with 80lb or even 50lb class outfits, if you are brave!

FIND OUT MORE
www.downundermarlincharters.com
www.australianmarlin.com/cairns