Townsville Charters - Any suggestions?

[Ashleym]

Hi everyone

I will be holidaying in Townsville for the last two weeks of November.

Can anyone suggest a charter operator? I have only ever fished of the Vic coast so I would like to get amongst some fish that I haven't experienced before.

Thanks in advance

Ash

[Scott nthQld]

Unfortunately for you (and the rest of us), the East Coast Barra season closes next Thursday (1st Nov) so a barra charter will be out of the question in tidal waters, however you may find some charter operators that fish the stocked impoundments during the next 3 months. Otherwise any estuary charter will be targeting other species like Jacks, tarpon and salmon, which isn’t really a bad thing either.

Unfortunately, as yet I have not been on an estuary charter so I can give no info on them. However, you may want to get into a few reefies while you are here. There is a coral reef finfish closure from 12.00am November 2 to 12.00am November 11, but this probably won’t apply to you if you are here later in the month.

The reef charters will encounter many tasty morsel bottom bashing, including coral trout, red emperor, nanny’s, sweetlip, spangles and cobia, but some operators will cater to the style of fishing you want to do whether it be bottom bashing or chasing pelagics.

I, myself have been on 3 charters over a 6 year period, and the ones I have been one were well worth it. One operator has since closed his doors and therefore does not run charters anymore. Another I have been on was with North Queensland Maritime and the Owner/skipper Robin is a top bloke who really knows his stuff. His boat it a 9.9m fibreglass cuddy, with twin outboard (can’t remember hp) and takes him about 2 hours to get to his marks. He puts you onto heaps of quality fish and does do some trolling, but mainly focuses on bottom bashing, as that’s what most people ask for, and it the easiest to do, also cost effective for him. His charter’s are an all day affair and usually leaves around 5am and return 5pm. All fishing gear and food/drink is provided, unless you want to take along a few alcoholic bevvies. He can be contacted on (07) 4728 4499 or his website is www.nqmaritime.com.au for more information. Cost was $220 p/p.

The most recent charter I went on was with SV Charters, a really flash boat at 60ft long. This charter was a 24hr job and cost $375, everything except alcoholic drinks provided. These guys were a bit exxy, but in my opinion was worth every cent, they put me onto some awesome fish, including some big tealeaf trevally up to a metre long (hard to pull in when you get a double hook up), and all fish are bled, gilled and gutted for you, so no late night cleaning when you get home, filleting can wait till morning, so long as you have plenty of ice (which is also provided). Their deckies are good blokes and enjoy a good chinwag as much as the next man, though sometimes, they can be pretty tired and duck off for a kip, but there is plenty of help for everyone on board. They also do other charter packages which may be just a day trip, or if you’ve got a gold lined pocket, week long trips. More information can be found here http://www.svgroup.com.au/SV%20Boat%20Charters/index.html.

That’s it for the charter I’ve been on, and there are many more, so don’t discount them yet, a list of other charter services, both reef and estuary can be found here:
http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/qld/townsvillearea/townsville/directory/fishing.

Enjoy, do your research and ask plenty of questions before you make a decision, as most of these charter operator’s have very good reputations.

Good luck choosing just one,

Scott

[Ashleym]

Hi Scott

Thanks for the comprehensive reply.

We are here now and having a look around. Looks like NQ Maritime will be the go.

Cheers

Ash

[Scott nthQld]

good choice, let us know how you go.

Make sure you book a trip before the 2nd December as the coral reef finfish closures come into play for a week or so.