My wife, Jodi, Captain Nick Durham, and I left Kona to fish with Australian Sport Fishing, led by Captain Brent James and his crew. We headed to Australia for a seven-day bucket-list adventure on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). This place offers an experience like no other—making it one of the world’s unique fisheries.
Swimming, Snorkeling, and Spearfishing
Before breakfast, we’d dive into the water each morning to snorkel the reef—one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The vibrant coral, varied species, and sheer number of fish were mesmerizing. Throw in the occasional shark sightings, and you’re on your toes the whole time!
Breakfast and Bait Fishing
After snorkeling and spearfishing, breakfast was served. Australians don’t mess around with food, so there was always more than enough. Once breakfast was cleared, we’d spend an hour or two fishing for bait. Even this was thrilling, as we regularly caught mackerel, scad, kingfish, mahi, sharks, yellowfin tuna, dog-tooth tuna, and mac tuna. Mackerel, scad, and kingfish were our top choices for bait later. This action-packed fishing was all done behind the reef before lunch.
Hunting the Big Black Marlin
Tantrum Sportfishing Chases Giant Black Marlin starting in the late morning, we’d emerge from behind the reef to chase the “big girls”—the giant black marlin. We always fished with two dead baits: a skip bait about two to three feet long and a swim bait around one to two feet. Each was rigged to simulate different movements. All our marlin came on the swim bait except for the last, a massive one that devoured the skip bait.
The Ideal Fishing Time
No matter the moon phase, tide, or current, black marlin consistently started feeding between 4:30 and 6:15 p.m. Most of our time was spent off Ribbon Reef #10, except the last day, when we tried #4. The action was slow initially, but by day three, things heated up. Over seven days, we caught 13 black marlin, two of which were well over 950 pounds. I’ll share more about these colossal fish later.
Dinner Time
After fishing, we’d retreat behind the reef each night. We’d clean up and relax with hors d’oeuvres and drinks before dinner. The sunsets were stunning and trevally often appeared behind the boat at night. I liked catching a few before bed when allowed. Dinner was always a multi-course feast that left me stuffed for hours.
Cleaned up for dinner
Sleeping on the Boat
I was a bit nervous about sleeping on the boat. Would it be cool enough? Would the rocking bother me? My wife and I stayed in the cabin up front, which had a double bed and plenty of privacy. When we opened the hatches for a breeze, it was heavenly. I slept like a baby.
Settling Into the Routine
After a few days, we found a routine that was repeated daily. Occasionally, I’d mix things up to catch Giant Trevally or sharks, but the rhythm remained the same.
The Most Exciting Final Days
Fishing the reef was a completely different experience than Kona. Most of our fish hit the swim bait underwater, so we didn’t see the bite. It was like waiting for a surprise—only when the black marlin jumped did we know its size. Eleven of our thirteen catches were typical-sized males, ranging from 100 to 250 pounds. On the second-to-last day, we released our first massive marlin. On our final day at Ribbon Reef #4, a beast we nicknamed “Megalodon” took the skip bait. At the same time, a solid 400-pounder grabbed the swim bait. My wife was thrilled to reel it in, but we cut the line early to focus on the giant. I knew this one was special, judging by our captain’s reaction.
The Decision to Harvest (So We Thought)
Great Barrier Reef
Once we cleared the lines, we prepped the gaffs and started backing down. She was calm, allowing us to reel her in quickly—too quickly. I wondered if she even realized she was hooked. This could be my first Grander Black Marlin. Captain Nick is a big guy who knows his way around a gaff, and I wouldn’t want anyone else in that spot. Her calmness initially worked in our favor, but as we soon discovered, it wasn’t ideal.
She Had Different Plans
When the gaff sunk into her shoulder, she erupted. She straightened our titanium gaff, ripped it out of her side, and dislodged the hook from her lip—all in seconds. We’ll never truly know her size, but she was likely well over the mark. While the crew cheered, I felt a pang of disappointment. Heading back to Cooktown marked the end of our trip, and I knew I wouldn’t get another chance this time. This wasn’t meant to be, but the memory will stay with me forever. My quest for a Grander Blue Marlin and Black Marlin continues!
We need a bigger gaff
