Fabulous Fraser Island
The New Marlin Mecca
In the period of August to December ‘Mistress’ pioneered an absolutely stunning heavy tackle fishery on the Continental Shelf off Fraser island.
We tagged our first 104 marlin in just 42 days of fishing and went on to tag 128 in 48 days before we returned to the Gold Coast in December for some maintenance.
We return in February and fished through to July Recording a total of 199 tags Marlin in just 92 days of fishing. These comprising:
- 140 Blue Marlin
- 29 assorted Heavy Tackle Striped and Black Marlin
- 30 Juvenile Black Marlin
During that period we tagged 2 daily slams (Blue, Black, Striped) without specifically attempting to do so and tagged Blues up to 500lbs. We also lost 2 Pacific Blues that we thought were potential granders!! And just to cap it off, we won the Harvey Bay tournament against a fleet of over 40 boats for the second time in three years (The other year we were 2nd on a countback).
Fraser island is the world’s largest sand island at approximately 100 miles in length. It is a national park with pristine rainforests, Lakes and streams. There is also a large dingo (native dog) population.
Fraser island is a four-wheel-drive paradise accessible from the nearest town Harvey Bay which is 3 1/2 hours drive north of Brisbane. He has a well serviced airport with direct flights from Brisbane and Sydney and a plethora of restaurants and accommodation.
Harvey bay is also full of humpback whales breeding in the period July to October. They keep us company at anchor. Breaksea Spit runs for approximately 30 miles onwards from the northern tip on Fraser island but has several safe crossings.
It has long been known that there was an exceptional Light Tackle Juvenile Black Marlin and Sailfish fishery just on the outside of the Spit with multiple tag days being the norm and the best being 30 by a visiting privateer.
Now we know that there are Blues and Stripes present as well a daily slam is relatively easy to pursue.
It is 38 miles from Urangan Marina to the nearest good anchorage at Rooneys Point, another 10 to the light tackle grounds, and further 15 to the heavy tackle grounds. Thus Fraser island is a live aboard fishery and we do 3 day minimum charters. Once that see we have a choice of several good languages depending on weather. Rooneys Point on the inside of Fraser, the Lighthouse at the very tip of Fraser (closest to the LT grounds) or Orchid Beach on the outside of Fraser which is closest to the heavy tackle grounds.
There are a few fisheries in the world where you can readily catch 3 mile and species year-round an average of 2.1/day overall and 2.7/day in peak periods. Fraser island is truly truly exceptional fishery by any standard with quality variety and size.
