Cairns Marlin Charters
Black Marlin. Deep Sea Fishing. Great Barrier Reef.
The outer reefs of Far Nth QLD hold the greatest concentration of giant Black Marlin on earth. Heavy tackle. A 65ft mothership anchored in the grounds. Big game fishing the way it was meant to be.
The Marlin season is underway · Now Booking Oct-Dec · Enquire now for available dates
Our adventurous Cairns black marlin fishing charters are all about the fishing. You live aboard the 65ft Iron Lady vessel and fish each day from Wild Turkey, our purpose-built game fishing boat, working the outer reef from Cairns and Port Douglas north through the Ribbon Reefs to Cooktown and Lizard Island. It is a multiday, liveaboard deep sea fishing charter with flexible trip lengths and dates, built around where the marlin are biting. Alongside giant black and blue marlin you will find sailfish, wahoo, yellowfin tuna and Spanish mackerel, the pelagic fishing these bluewater grounds are known for. An adrenelin adventure. New to the methods? Read our guide to deep sea fishing techniques.
Best Skipper · Best Boat · Best Team · Most Marlin Tagged (Days 3 & 4) · Best Angler
1,000+ LB
grander marlin targeted
30 Yrs
Captain Dan on these waters
6
Max anglers — exclusive charter
2–7
Days on the reef
QLD Marlin Tournaments – Follow the action
Tournament Cancelled 2026
Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic
Queensland
Upcoming · November 2026
Port Douglas Marlin Challenge
18 – 21 November 2026 · Queensland
The Live aboard Advantage
Wake up on the reef. Fish all day. Sleep on the deep blue.
Most Cairns and Port Douglas marlin fishing charters motor out from the harbour each morning and motor back each afternoon. Ours doesn’t. The Iron Lady sits anchored in the Great Barrier Reef fishing grounds overnight — meaning you wake up already there, maximise every hour of prime fishing time, and never waste a moment of the season.
Anchored in the deep blue
While day boats are still heading out from Cairns and Port Douglas, you’re already fishing. The Iron Lady positions you overnight in deep blue water on the prime outer reef grounds between the Ribbon Reefs and Lizard Island — the same water where Grander Marlin are caught every season.
Wild Turkey — rigged for heavy tackle
Each day you transfer from the mothership to Wild Turkey, our purpose-built sport fishing vessel. Rigged with professional-grade heavy tackle, outrigger, and fighting chair — everything you need to bring a 700+ pound or grander marlin to the boat.
Championship-proven crew
The Wild Turkey team swept the 2025 Port Douglas Marlin Challenge — Best Skipper, Best Boat, Best Deck Team, Best Angler, and most Marlin tagged across the final two days. When you fish with ASFC, you fish with champions.
The world’s greatest marlin fishery
The Great Barrier Reef’s outer reefs — from Cairns north through the Ribbon Reefs to Lizard Island — are globally recognised as the premier destination for giant Black Marlin and Blue Marlin. The annual Oct–Dec migration brings the largest marlin on earth through these waters. This is why serious big game anglers come to Australia.
Who is this charter for
Young & Older, Experienced & Beginners
Anglers who want to fish, not just cruise. First-timers are welcome, and so are seasoned big game anglers. Charters run from 2 days and you choose how long to stay out. We don’t run day trips, just fishing adventures
Cairns Grander Marlin Fishing
two plus days on the water— here’s what it feels like
First. Departure Day
Board the Iron Lady at Bluewater Marina, Trinity Park. Get settled, meet the crew, and enjoy dinner as we steam out past the Great Barrier Reef lagoon and into the deep blue. By the time you wake up, the outer reef walls will be right outside the window.
First Light on the Outer Reef
Coffee, breakfast, and a quick swim in deep blue Coral Sea water. The crew briefs the day’s plan — which grounds to work, what’s been running, what the conditions are doing. Then it’s aboard Wild Turkey and heavy tackle out.
Morning Session
Before the marlin grounds heat up, there’s often outstanding reef bottom fishing right off the outer reef wall — Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Large Mouth Nannygai. Exceptional table fish and a great way to warm up before the heavy tackle comes out in earnest.
Marlin Fishing
Baits rigged, outriggers set, fresh Scad and Scaley Mackerel in the spread — because fresh bait is always best for Black Marlin and Blue Marlin. Trolling the outer reef edge and the deep blue drop-offs, watching the spread, waiting for that moment when everything goes tight and an enormous marlin leaves the water. There is nothing else like it in fishing.
The Rhythm of the Deep Blue
Each day on a multi-day charter builds on the last. Captain Dan reads the grounds — working north up the Ribbon Reefs toward Lizard Island if the fish are moving, or staying put when the bite is on. Between Marlin sessions, there’s Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi and whatever else these extraordinary waters decide to throw at Wild Turkey.
Last. Return to Marina
The Iron Lady departs the outer reef grounds in good time for a comfortable overnight steam back to Port. You leave with photos, stories, sore arms, and a very specific itch to come back next season.
What’s Out There
Black marlin, blue marlin — and everything the deep blue throws in between
The outer reefs from Cairns north through the Ribbon Reefs to Lizard Island hold some of the most diverse big game fishing in the southern hemisphere. Marlin is the headline act, but far from the only one.
Giant Black Marlin
The Grander Marlin – 1,000+ lbs. Cairns is the world capital. We catch them from late September through to December.
Blue Marlin
Fast, acrobatic, and airborne, a spectacular fight on heavy tackle. Blue Marlin prefer warmer water and are more common from November.
Sailfish
One of the ocean’s most electrifying game fish. Prized for its leaping and fighting. They typically weight around 36kg to 45 kg.
Yellowfin Tuna
Screaming runs and serious pulling power.
Wahoo
Blistering speed. One of the fastest fish in the ocean.
Spanish Mackerel
Lightning strikes and excellent eating.
Coral Trout
Reef bottom fishing — the finest table fish on the reef.
Red Emperor
Deep reef dweller. Prized catch and excellent eating.
Brassy Trevally
Powerful, aggressive, and unpredictable.
The Fishing Grounds
The most famous marlin water on earth
A string of outer reefs running from Cairns, Port Douglas, and Cooktown –North through the Ribbon Reefs to Lizard Island forming one of the great Big Game fishing corridors on the planet. Here’s where Wild Turkey works each season.
Cairns / Port Douglas Outer Reef
The southern anchor of the Marlin grounds. The outer reef wall drops sharply into deep blue water where giant Black Marlin and Blue Marlin patrol during the annual migration. World-class fishing right from day one. Bluewater Marina at Trinity Park puts us right at the door, just a short drive from Cairns CBD & airport and 57 minutes from Port Douglas. These waters hosted the 2025 Port Douglas Marlin Challenge, which Wild Turkey won outright.
Cooktown & the Ribbon Reefs
The Ribbon Reefs are a chain of narrow outer reefs running from slightly south of Cooktown, northwards, and they are the heart of the marlin grounds – among the most productive heavy tackle fishing water on the Great Barrier Reef. Black Marlin are on the Ribbons from late September to December. Blue Marlin peak November to December.
Lizard island
The northern frontier. Lizard Island sits at the top of the Ribbon Reefs in some of the deepest, bluest water of the entire corridor — and consistently produces the largest Black Marlin of the season. On extended charters, Captain Dan steams north to Lizard Island when the fish are there. They usually are.
What Guests Say
Don't take our word for it
What’s Included
Everything except your flights and drinks order
Your Cairns marlin charter is completely all-inclusive. Fly into Cairns, get to Trinity Park, and from there the crew takes care of everything.
✓ Min 2+ days — aboard the Iron Lady mothership
✓ All fishing from Wild Turkey, our dedicated sport fishing vessel
✓ Professional-grade heavy tackle — rods, reels, & all terminal gear
✓ Fresh bait sourced daily by the crew
✓ Experienced guides and deckhands throughout
✓ All meals prepared by our onboard chef
✓ Hostess service throughout the charter
✓ Air-conditioned cabins — 2 × 2-berth and 1 × 4-berth
✓ Starlink satellite internet and communication
✓ Catch and release — all marlin released
Charter at a Glance
Duration — Min 2 Days –Max up to you
Season — October – December
Maximum anglers — 6 Guests
Mothership — 65ft Iron Lady
Sport fishing vessel — Wild Turkey
Departs from — Cairns, Port Douglas, Cooktown, Lizard Island
Fishing license — Not required
Experience level— All levels welcome
Association— Cairns Professional Game Fishing Assoc.
Not included
Flights to/from Cairns — fly in, make your way to where the Wild Turkey is moored, and we take it from there.
Drinks — get your order in early! Legal requirements mean we can’t supply alcohol on the spot, so place your beverage order with us as soon as you book and we’ll have it waiting on board. Just a heads up: the nearest bottle shop is well and truly behind you once we leave the marina.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the marlin fishing charter depart from?
Our marlin fishing charter departs from the Port closest to where the fish are biting at the time of your charter. Bluewater Marina, Cairns, Port Douglas, Cooktown or Lizard island, QLD — We let you know prior. Bluewater Marina is 15-25 mins from Cairns CBD & airport, Port Douglas is 1 hr 10 mins drive or a short helicopter ride from Cairns, Cooktown is a 45 min flight from Cairns.
Do I need experience to fish for Marlin?
Not at all. Our crew caters to all experience levels including complete beginners. The guides provide full instruction on heavy tackle technique, fighting the fish, and working the chair. Some of the most memorable catches come from first-timers who’ve never held a heavy rod before.
What is a Grander?
A “Grander” is any Marlin exceeding 1,000 pounds (approximately 450kg). The waters between Cairns and Lizard Island are one of the few places on earth where Grander Marlin are caught with any regularity during the annual Black Marlin migration. It is the ultimate trophy for any big game angler.
How many anglers can fish at once?
Wild Turkey accommodates a maximum of 6 anglers, making this an exclusive and intimate charter experience. Smaller groups and private bookings are welcome — contact us to discuss.
Is marlin fishing suitable for families and beginners?
Yes — the crew is experienced with anglers of all ages and abilities, and the marlin fishing charter is genuinely family-friendly. That said, Heavy Tackle Marlin fishing is physically demanding. If you have any health concerns, please discuss them with us before booking.
How far in advance should I book?
The marlin season runs only October–December, and with a maximum of 6 anglers per charter, berths fill quickly — especially after the tournament periods like the CPGFA Black Marlin Tournament (Early October) and the Port Douglas Marlin Challenge. We recommend enquiring at least 6 months ahead for peak dates.
What is the Marlin season in Cairns?
Giant Black Marlin migrate through the outer reefs of Far North Queensland from October through December each year – peak season for far north sport fishing, when ASFC runs its Cairns Marlin Charters before the vessels head back to Arnhem Land for barramundi season in February.
What tackle is provided?
All professional-grade heavy tackle is included — rods, reels, terminal gear, and fresh bait sourced daily by the crew. If you have your own preferred gear, speak to Captain Dan before the charter about compatibility.
Are all marlin released?
Yes — ASFC operates a strict catch and release policy for all Marlin. We practice responsible, sustainable fishing and are proud members of the Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association. Other species caught during bottom fishing or opportunistic sessions may be taken for the table.
Can we fish for species other than Marlin?
Absolutely. Each day typically includes the opportunity for reef bottom fishing (Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Nannygai) and pelagic sessions targeting Wahoo, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Spanish Mackerel. Captain Dan plans each day around conditions, tide, and what you most want to target.
What pelagic fish can we catch on a Cairns charter?
Alongside black and blue marlin, the bluewater grounds hold sailfish, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi (dolphin fish) and Spanish mackerel. Captain Dan plans each day around conditions and what you most want to target.
What is the CPGFA 60th Anniversary Black Marlin Tournament?
The Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association’s 60th Anniversary Black Marlin Tournament was held in September 2026 — a landmark event in Australian game fishing history. This competition takes place each year on the outer reefs off Cairns, just before the peak of the annual Black Marlin migration. If you’re serious about big game sportfishing, this is an event worth planning your trip around. Contact us to discuss charter options.
Book your charter
Ready to chase your Grander?
Tell us when you want to fish, how many in your group, and what you’re after — Captain Dan will come back to you within 24 hours with availability and everything you need to know.
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Or call direct: +61 428 752 275
Australian Sportfishing Charters
Australian Sportfishing Charters is a premium Arnhem Land NT & Cairns QLD Barramundi and Marlin fishing charter operator. For those with a passion for fishing and seeking out Australia’s untouched, pristine waters.
Call Captain Dan, who will help you design your perfect tour
Contact
Address
- 1 Drimmie Head Road, Nhulunbuy, NT, 0880
- Bluewater Marina, Harbour Dr, Trinity Park, Queensland, 4879.
