Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Every year from September to December, the black giants return to the warm waters at the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef between Cairns and Lizard Island. These huge fish hail from all over the Pacific Ocean, giant females with sizes over 1,000 pounds attracting a number of smaller males with them, as well as a group of international anglers.
It is well considered the best place in the world to catch a “greatest” black marlin. It’s even possible for a first time marlin angler to catch a bigger one here. Novice anglers, junior anglers, and experienced male and female marlin anglers flock to the reef each year for the chance to catch some of the largest billfish in the world. The charter fishing fleet is based in Cairns between the months of September and December.
Port Stephens, New South Wales
Port Stephens is just a two hour drive north of Sydney and is home to one of the biggest fishing tournaments on the Australian marlin fishing calendar – the NSW Interclub. The Interclub tournament is held in February/March of each year with more than 200 boats and 1000 anglers competing.
Blue, black and striped marlin are prolific in the waters off Port Stephens and a marlin grand slam, all three species of marlin in a single day, is not uncommon. 5 or 6 days of marlin is pretty typical when the fishing is at its best, mostly stripes.
Fishing is best in Port Stephens between January and April.
Exmouth, Western Australia
The waters off Exmouth are famous for the variety of game fish that call Exmouth home, including all three species of marlin – Blue Marlin, Black Marlin and Striped Marlin – as well as Sailfish, Swordfish and even Marlin.
Again, the chance of catching an Australian marlin fishing strike is great in these waters. Exmouth is also home to another of the country’s biggest sport fishing tournaments, called Gamex, which takes place annually in March.
Gold Coast, Queensland
Australia’s top holiday destination, Queensland’s Gold Coast has excellent inshore areas for light tackle, as well as year-round offshore blue marlin fishing. In addition, plenty of pelagic fishing is also offered year-round with hearty fish such as wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and mahi mahi numerous in these waters as well.
Australian marlin fishing destinations like these offer great opportunities for the recreational angler who dreams of catching a marlin. Some of the best days fishing for marlin in these locations include 32 light tackle marlin and 9 heavy tackle marlin in a single day of fishing.