Tenders
the skiffs that get you into the fish
3-5
Fishing Tenders
1
Guide per tender
✓
Fish finders fitted
2
Ways to fish — rivers & open water
20+
Sportfish species targeted
What are the Tenders
The boats that do the close-up work
The tenders fishing skiffs used by Australian Sportfishing Charters to fish the rivers, creeks and offshore waters of East Arnhem Land. Each is fitted with a fish finder and skippered by an experienced fishing guide, and either carried aboard mothership Iron Lady or trailed behind her, depending on the day’s fishing grounds.
Each tender typically carries one guide and up to two guests, keeping the fishing personal and closely guided rather than a large group experience.
The Fleet
A closer look at the Tenders
Nimble, shallow-draft, and rigged for wherever the fish are — here’s what a day in the tenders looks like.
Barramundi held by guide in a tender. Garmin electric motor behind him.
Casting along side an island in the Arafura Sea NT
Tender nested on the Iron Lady ready for travel
Five Tenders behind Iron Lady in Arnhem Land
The tenders are very stable for standing, loading and unloading alongside Iron Lady. Note the Live Scope onboard(underwater radar)
Closeup of the Garmin Fish Finder found on the tenders
Built For The Water They Fish
Why tenders, not just the mothership
Iron Lady can’t get into the skinny water where Barramundi live — that’s the tenders’ job.
Fish Finders Fitted
Each tender carries its own fish finder, plus some of the tenders have live scope/underwater radar and electric motors, helping guides read structure, depth and fish activity in real time as they work a river or reef edge.
Guide-Skippered
Every tender is skippered by an experienced fishing guide, keeping each group’s fishing closely guided rather than self-directed.
Shallow-draft access
Built to get into tidal creeks, mangrove-lined rivers and estuaries that a 65ft mothership simply can’t reach.
Carried or trailed
Depending on the day’s grounds, tenders are either carried aboard Iron Lady or trailed behind her, ready to launch wherever the fish are.
Small-group fishing
With one guide and up to two guests per tender, fishing stays personal — more casts, more coaching, more one-on-one time on the fish.
Ocean ready
Equally at home offshore, tenders reach the Wessel and English Company Islands for pelagic species when the group wants a change of scenery.
What you’ll target
A tender puts you on all of it
From river Barramundi to offshore pelagics, the tenders are set up to chase whatever’s firing on the day.
Barramundi
Threadfin Salmon
Barracuda
Mangrove Jack
Estuary cod
Trevally
Fingermark
Spanish Mackerel
Tarpon
Giant Trevally
Queenfish
Coral Trout
Fleet Details
The tenders at a glance
Charter at a Glance
Fleet size— 3-5 fishing tenders
Crew— 1 experienced fishing guide per tender
Typical guests per tender— Up to 2
Electronics— Fish finder, Live Scope, Electric Motor
Deployment — Carried aboard or trailed behind mothership
Fishing grounds — Rivers, tidal creeks and estuaries; offshore around the Wessel & English Company Islands
Region— East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fish tender?
A fishing tender is a small support boat launched from a larger mothership to reach fishing grounds the mothership can’t access, such as shallow rivers and creeks. Australian Sportfishing Charters operates 3-5 fishing tenders from mothership Iron Lady in East Arnhem Land.
What fish can you catch from the tenders in Arnhem Land?
Species commonly targeted from the tenders include Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, Fingermark, Giant Trevally, Queenfish, Spanish Mackerel, Estuary Cod, Threadfin Salmon and Barracuda, across East Arnhem Land’s rivers, creeks and offshore islands, just to name a few.
Are the tenders suitable for rivers and ocean fishing?
Yes, the tenders are used for both river and ocean fishing. They fish East Arnhem Land’s mangrove-lined rivers and estuaries for Barramundi, and the open water around the Wessel and English Company Islands for pelagic species.
How many fishing guides are on each tender?
Each Australian Sportfishing Charters tender is skippered by one experienced fishing guide, typically fishing with one or two guests at a time (sometimes three).
Do the tenders have fish finders?
Yes, each of the tenders is fitted with its own fish finder, used by guides to read structure and fish activity while working a river, creek or reef edge.
The tenders are how you'll actually catch fish
Guided-skippered skiffs, launched from mothership Iron Lady, are what put you on Barramundi and sportfish across East Arnhem Land. For dates, pricing and availability, head to the Arnhem Land Charters page.
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.
