Great Barrier Reef/Whitsundays??
Submitted by PattyT on Thu, 2011-07-07 17:15
Hey guys!
My friends and I are possible thinking of hiring a boat (houseboat) for my bucks party to fish around the GBR/Whitsundays for a week next year..
this is the kind of boat we're looking at
http://www.charteryachts.com.au/charter/qld/whitsundays/highland-35-new
just wondering if anyone has fished the GBR without a guide and how'd you go? I know there is alot of marine sanctuarys and stuff like that to look out for but thats ok. From what iv seen the fishing should be crazy, might nail a big GT finally. I fished a few charters around the area so im pretty confident it will be a solid trip
Any other info on either the boat (if anyone has done something like this before) or the fishing would be great...
Cheers fella's!!
Iceman
Posts: 745
Date Joined: 17/03/09
Renegade Charters
I went out with Renegade Charters last year. Glad I did as the GBR is not an area I would like to try and navigate myself. A lot of isolated bommies out there that could get you into trouble. depending on what you are chasing can be tricky around the reefs. Around the Whitsunday Islands you need to be careful of the tides as they run very strong and can create some tricky conditions between the islands.
Have they advised if you are allowed to take out to the GBR. If only going out there for a couple of the days maybe worth paying for a skipper for those days and skipper the Whitsundays yourself.
On the fishing side caught heaps of GTs up to 35kg (need quality gear), Shark & Spanish macks. No Marlin or sailfish as I was there wrong time of year. Was told Aug/Sept best for these species. All manner of bottom fish were caught when taking a break from chasing the GTs. Take plenty of gear as can loose plenty on the bommies and big GTs.
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PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
Thanks for the responce mate,
Thanks for the responce mate, its still very early in the planning so I havnt done to much reading into it. It is possible to get someone to skipper the boat for us so thats an option. We'll be getting the boat for a min of 5 days so im pretty sure we'll be able to take it out to the reef.
As far as gear goes we'll be right to go, finally get to give the saltigas a good run. Would love to nail my first sizeable GT and mackie! Will be a better way to spend my bucks party than one night at the stripper anyway.