Both our charter boats BROADBILL and BILLFISHER fished with mixed success on the weekend.The tuna run in Australia starts now and we catch tuna through to November The marlin season then commences and goes through until June.
Last year we had one of our best tuna seasons for a decade and the recent government buy out (220 million dollars)of commercial long line licences will see a major improvement in our tuna stocks . There used to be 120 registered long liners on our east coast but that has now reduced to less than 30 vessels and this will see a major improvement over the next few seasons. We worked an area called the Southern Canyons in 250 to 400 fathoms These canyons are a soft rise and fall with a little hard ground and over the years we have caught many big yellowfin, albacore and also blue marlin including the current record a 702lb fish which we caught (more by luck than good management) on 50lb test.That was a few years back. It is a great area and we target the tuna here during the season Last week we scored a few smaller yellowfin on bib less minnows and a heap of albacore. It was encouraging to realise that the season is now with us and I am sure there will be more reports forthcoming from now on.. There is a few hints on www.gamefishingcharters and some great photos of big tuna for any one interested.
