Magnificent Australian Marlin Fishing Destinations

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

Every year in September through December, the giant blacks return to the warm waters of the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef between Cairns and Lizard Island. These huge fish come from all over the Pacific Ocean, giant females to sizes in excess of 1,000lbs that attract numbers of smaller males with them as well as a bevy of international anglers.

It is well considered the best spot in the world to catch a "grander" black marlin. It is even possible for a first time marlin fisherman to catch a grander here. Novice anglers, junior anglers and experienced male and female marlin fishing anglers flock to the reef each year for the chance to catch some of the biggest marlin in the world. The charter fishing fleet is based in Cairns between the months of September and December.

Port Stephens, New South Wales

Port Stephens is just two hours drive north of Sydney and is home to one of the biggest fishing tournaments in the Australian marlin fishing calendar - the NSW Interclub. The Interclub tournament is held in February/March every year with more than 200 boats and 1000 anglers competing.

Blue, black and striped marlin are prolific in the waters off Port Stephens and a marlin grand slam - all three marlin species in a single day - is not uncommon. 5 or 6 marlin days are quite typical when the fishing is at its best, mostly stripies.

The fishing is best off Port Stephens between January and April.

Exmouth, Western Australia

The waters off Exmouth are famous for the variety of gamefish that call Exmouth home including all three species of marlin - blue marlin, black marlin and striped marlin - as well as sailfish, broadbill swordfish and even spearfish.

Again, the possibility of catching an Australian marlin fishing slam is great in these waters. Exmouth is also home to a another of the largest gamefishing tournaments in the country which is called Gamex which is held annually in March.

Gold Coast, Queensland

Australia's premier holiday destination, the Gold Coast in Queensland has some great light tackle grounds inshore as well as year-round marlin fishing for blue marlin offshore. Also, year-round there is also a lot of pelagic fishing on offer with the good eating fish such as wahoo, yellow fin tuna and mahi mahi numerous in these waters also.

Australian marlin fishing destinations such as these offer great opportunities for the recreational fisherman who dreams of catching a marlin. Some of the best days marlin fishing in these spots include 32 light tackle marlin and 9 heavy tackle marlin in a single day's fishing.