Barrier Reef Fishing options and tours

Port Douglas Reef Charters specialise in all types of fishing tours in Port Douglas-heavy tackle game fishing, reef fishing day trips, sport fishing tours in Port Douglasand the Daintree River and surrounds, estuary fishing and live aboard fishing charters in Port Douglas Queensland Australia.

There are a myriad of different fishing vessels in Port Douglas , the choice of boats can be somewhat confusing to say the least! Let Port Douglas Reef Charters take all the stress out of making a tough decision, we know all the skippers and deckhands personally, we deal with all the reef fishing and heavy tackle fishing vessels on a regular basis.

With 15 years local Port Douglas fishing experience we can help you choose a boat thats exactly right for your fishing or angling needs. Port Douglas Reef Charters has a wide variety of vessels to suit every budget.

Reef fishing for the prized Coral trout or Red Emporer is easily possible on a share fishing charter basis.Most of the Port Douglas Reef Fishing tour boats use handlines..just like the commercial live trout line fishermen do. Some of the local Port Douglas Reef fishing boats also allow you the option of using rods, and float pilchards out off the back marlin board for larger pelagic sports fish. Some of the day tour fishing boats also have deck winches, which make it a whole lot easier to pull up Red Emporer in deep water. The day rate usually includes lunch, all bait and equipment, tackle and transfers from your accommodation in Port Douglas to the marina on the date of your fishing tour. The only extra to pay on board is Reef Tax of $5 per person and any soft drinks or alcoholic beverages you consume. The day fishing boats will gut and bag your fish for you to take home and enjoy on your BBQ. A day fishing tour on the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas is usually always a full day as it takes most of the boats 1.5 hours to get out to the reef for fishing.

Estuary Fishing in Port Douglas can also be arranged and is suprisingly productive. The local estuary in Port Douglas is home to the prized Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, Tarpon, Queenfish and a multitude of other fish. For best results the local operators use live bait. Most of the best estuary fishing tours are catch and release. The estuary sportfishing tours are generally a half day tour and cost around $90 per person for all bait, tackle and transfers from your hotel in Port Douglas to the departure point. Half day estuary fishing is a good option for those anglers that have a limited budget or limited time in Port Douglas. Morning and afternoon estuary fishing tours are available and most of the fishing tours take small groups of 6 anglers. These estuary tours are great for experienced and novice anglers alike.

For light tackle fishing in Port Douglas, a private charter is the best option. In regards to light tackle fishing, the targeted species can include Spanish Mackerel, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and even Sailfish...if you are lucky! A sole charter of a light tackle reef fishing boat also allows your to fish in the morning and snorkel in the afternoon or vice versa. These boats are usually quite fast so that they can get you out to the reef quick smart, thereby maximising your fishing time on the Great Barrier Reef.

For the Port Douglas and Cairns Heavy Tackle Marlin fishing season on the Great Barrier Reef, which generally runs from October to March, there are a few excellent game boats that operate out of Port Douglas. Heavy tackle game fishing for Marlin and Sailfish ex Port Douglas usually involves a higher charter rate due to the fact that the charter boats use a great deal of diesel to get out to the Marlin Grounds. Be aware that a number of these heavy tackle marlin boats book out up to a year in advance for peak times when the Lizard Island Tournament is on. Port Douglas Reef Charters has a number of industry contacts, so if you make a last meinute decision, we may be able to help you find a charte rboat in Port Douglas.

Port Douglas also offers an excellent selection of liveaboard boats for fishing that departs from Port Douglas Marina. This Port Douglas fishing mothership offers comfortable bunk style accommodation, great food and a wealth of local fishing knowledge with an excellent skipper. You can arrange a group of your best mates or work colleagues to go on the fishing trip of a lifetime. The cost varies according to numbers, but at around $330 per person per day, this represents fantastic value for money fishing in Port Douglas. Live aboard fishing charters are ideal for the angler that wishes to maximise fishing time. Once out on the reef, the liveabord fishing tour allows you the option to night fish for Red Emporer, as well as fish during the day. The liveaboard fishing tour operators also can fillet your catch for you to take home.

Luxury Live aboard Fishing Tours are also available, for those that want the ultimate in luxury and maximum fishing time.

Looking for Port Douglas accommodation? Try Queensland Travel

43 foot OBrien Game Fishing Boat in immaculate condition with Tournament winning crew and very experienced Skipper. This boat is the perfect choice for small group specialist reef fishing charters , a nice size for a small group or family. A beautiful fishing and Great Barrier Reef fishing vessel at a very affordable price. Very modern and comfortable boat with airconditioning.
		Specifications: Cruising speed – 22 knots Max passengers day –10 Max passengers ext.-4 Activities-pleasure cruising, heavy and light tackle game fishing, snorkeling,reef fishing, tournament fishing and sport fishing. This vessel is only available on a sole charter. Sole charter rate from $2500 per day . Charter rate is inclusive of all meals and equipment, BYO Alcohol.

Brand new 40 foot Blackwatch Custom Fishing and cruising boat. Skippered by local crew, immaculate boat, perfect for small groups and all types of cruising and fishing tours. 1100 horsepower means this vessel will quickly get you to the fishing grounds, maximising your fishing time. She has 2 airconditioned cabins and can sleep 4 confortably, making her perfectly set up for liveaboard and extended fishing charters. Top of the range Shimano gear used.
		Specifications: Cruising speed – 26 knots Max passengers day –8 Max passengers ext.-4 Activities-pleasure cruising, heavy and light tackle game fishing, snorkeling,reef fishing, tournament fishing and sport fishing. This vessel is only available on a sole charter. Sole charter rate from $2750 per day . Charter rate is inclusive of all meals and equipment, BYO Alcohol.

18 metre Cairns Custom Craft travels to the reef in just under 60 minutes. The experienced and professional crew will clean and bag your catch for you, ready for the BBQ. Fully equipped with galley, air conditioned cabin and flushing toilet. Transfers can be arranged ex Cairns at additional cost.
		Specifications: Cruising speed 22 knots Max passengers day 18 Activities-Bottom fishing using handlines and rods, some trolling included Sole charter rate from $3550AUD per day. Day share charter from $195 AUDper person

34 foot Cairns Custom craft purpose built for day fishing in comfort. Air conditioned cabin. Specializing in small, personalized groups of no more than 8. Shimano and Penn reels. Hand lines or rod and reel combinations available. Locally owned and operated.
		Specifications: Cruising speed – 20 knots Max passengers day –8 Activities- Comfortable cruising, heavy and/or light tackle fishing, bottom/reef fishing. Sole charter rate from $1980 per day. Share charter rate $215 per person.

36 foot Custom Game fishing vessel. Perfect for all types of fishing including reef fishing for those that do not wish to fish with many other people. Trolling also available on private charter. Top of the range Shimano Reels.
		Specifications: Cruising speed – 24 knots Max passengers day –8 Max passengers ext.-6 Activities-pleasure cruising, heavy and light tackle game fishing, snorkeling, tournament fishing and sport fishing. Sole charter rate from $2100 per day for light tackle reef fishing.

17 metre Randall Westcoaster purpose built for reef fishing. Spacious and roomy for extended charters. All cabins air conditioned.A fishing charter with this experienced operator very reasonably priced.
		Specifications: Cruising speed – 12 knots Max passengers day –15 Max passengers extended charter-6 Activities-pleasure cruising, reef fishing, heavy and light tackle game fishing, sport fishing. Sole charter rate from $2000 per day for light tackle reef fishing. Extended overnight fishing charters $2000 per day

72 foot luxury liveaboard with permits for many destinations on the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas to Lizard Island and beyond. Comfortable sleeping berths and speciality liveaboard fishing equipment.
		Specifications: Cruising speed – 12knots Max passengers extendeded charter-10 Activities-pleasure cruising, reef fishing, light tackle sportfishing, night fishing, deep sea fishing, bottom bouncing, snorkeling, island and coastal exploration. Sole charter rate from $4000AUD per day. Includes crew, meals, equipment, snorkelling tuition and bait/tackle

The tropical waters off the coast of Port Douglas Australia are home to some of the best reef and river fishing in the world. Offshore in the blue water you can fish for the elusive Giant Black Marlin, Blue marlin, Striped Marlin, Cobia, Wahoo, Sailfish, Yellow Fin Tuna, Mahi-Mahi and other prized sportfish.

Closer to the shore, you can bottom fish for Coral Trout, Red Emperor and Sweet lip; or you can target Spanish Mackerel and Giant Trevally with rod and reel.

On the estuaries and inland waterways you can fish for the elusive Barramundi, Tarpon, Fingermark and Mangrove Jacks.

You can fly fish, you can lure fish or you can try your hand at using live bait. Fishing in Port Douglas can deliver the best fishing experience to be had.

You can experience a weeklong adventure in Cape York fishing safari in pristine wilderness areas for the prized Barramundi and Saratoga.

Port Douglas is the ultimate fishing destination for everyone.

Oh and guys, if you need to find something for the wife or girlfriend to do while you're fishing...we can recommend a luxury day spa and menu in Port Douglas!