Castille Charters deployed the first and only Satellite Tag in the “Great Northern Gold Coast IGFA Great Marlin Race” for the weekend into a blue marlin for our Champion Female Angler – Katie Ripper. This is the 3rd Satellite Tag Castille Charters has deployed with “The Great Marlin Race”. The first two tags were deployed in 2011, during the 25th anniversary Lizard Island Game Fish Club (LIGFC) Black Marlin Classic, identified as “fish 3″ and “fish 5″. These two tags were deployed into very health and large black marlins with “fish 5″ in first place traveling a massive 2,739 nautical miles and “fish 3″ in second place at 2,325 nautical miles. The “Blacks vs. Blues” competition with 25th anniversary Lizard Island Game Fish Club (LIGFC) Black Marlin Classic and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament was clearly won by the Lizard Island black marlin tagged by Castille Charters. Click here to view the map of the 5 satellite tags deployed during that race. It’s very interesting to see how far some fish travel and how some just stayed relatively close to where they were tagged.

The “Great Marlin Race” is a global conservation research collaboration. The concept of the race is a competition within the competition whereby out of all the marlins tagged with a sat tag during the respective tournament, the marlin that travels the furthest distance wins. The purpose of the tags is to collect research data on these fish, the race just makes it a fun way to get the fishing community involved. The satellite tags will pop off approx 180 days after being deployed and send valuable data back to the lab at Stanford University. The tags relay data regarding species movements, water temperate, data on the ocean and many other things so we can better understand these fish and the ocean they live in.

To keep up to date with our blue marlin tagged in the Great Northern Marlin Race, visit the Gold Coast Game Fish Clubs website http://www.gcgfc.com.au/ or visit the Great Marlin Race http://greatmarlinrace.org/.

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Up coming 2013 Port Stephens Season

“Catch a GRAND SLAM aboard Castille Charters.”

Yes you read that correctly. Marlin Fishing Port Stephens = Grand Slam Fishing! Last season, owner Mark caught his first Grand Slam during his 2012 Port Stephens Marlin Fishing Season. He caught a black marlin, blue marlin and striped marlin in the space of a few hours. That week turned out to be hot week with Mark and daughter Katie tagging over 30 marlin in 5 days!

With a bumper light tackle season up north and down south, the signs are looking great for the 2013 Port Stephens Season.

Don’t be fooled, the season may be short, late Feb to early April, but the action is red hot! If that sounds like something you want to tick off your bucket list then call Captain Brad Craft today to enquire about Marlin Fishing Port Stephens 2013. Click here to check out our photos from last year!

More on our Marlin Fishing Port Stephens Charters

February – March
Light and Heavy Tackle/ Fly Fishing

Port Stephens lays a 2.5-hour drive north of Sydney and is recognised as one of Australia’s most picturesque and action packed fisheries. Blue Marlin, Black Marlin and Striped Marlin are prolific in these waters and if you want to catch a grand slam this is the best place to do it. Also many world records have been caught here on ultra light tackle and fly fishing. My best day in Port Stephens is 17 marlin. The best way to fish here is switch baiting and is very exciting. Marlin Fishing Port Stephens = Grand Slam Fishing.

Come and enjoy the Castille Experience! Contact Captain Brad Craft to enquire about your trip of a life time. Email Brad on info@castillecharters.com or call him on 0428 772 950. “Tight Lines”

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Interested is catching Giant Black Marlin? Contact Captain Brad Craft today as next seasons bookings are already being taken and spots are filling up fast!

Black Marlin Fishing

Cairns/Cooktown/Lizard Island
September to December
Heavy Tackle

September to December every year the Female Big Black Marlin come into the Reefs of North Queensland to spawn. The area is huge over 200 Nm long. Most of the breeders are between 700 and 1300lbs. There are also many male marlin 200 lbs up with the females which give our angler plenty of chances to catch all sizes of marlin.

It is a fact that 70% of all 1000+lbs Marlin in the world caught or released each year are caught of The Great Barrier Reef. If you want to catch a grander marlin, fishing of Cairns is by far the best chance you can give yourself.

The action never stops from dawn to dusk. We usually start with a snorkel on the GBR, then some bait fishing, jigging and popper throwing for many different species. They include Scad, Mackerel, Yellow fin and dog tooth tuna, queen fish, coral trout, Giant trevally and of course Giant Black Marlin. We usually wind up and head to our anchorage behind the reef about 6 PM each night.

COME WITH US ON CASTILLE CHARTERS FOR THE ULTIMATE FISHING EXPERENCE.

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Marlin Fishing Lizard Island Style

What can I say… Beautiful, idyllic location, amazing snorkelling over the giant clam gardens, the famous Marlin Bar and of course, famous for Giant Black Marlin Fishing!

Lizard Island is a national park locate on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Australia, 1624 km northwest of Brisbane. Lizard Island is famous for many things but most importantly (well to fisher man / women alike) Black Marlin Fishing due to its close proximity to the ribbon reef. Many a Grander Black Marlin has been caught off the reef around Lizard Island which is why we happily charter from that location each year during the marlin season, September to December. The 26th Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic has a 1000LB tag and release club for that very reason!

Lizard Island is also home to a beautiful award winning resort for those who want a little luxury attached to their fishing charter. Lizard Island was named Best Resort in Australia at the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2012 Travel Awards and comes highly recommended by our charter clients. For more information on the resort, click here to visit their web site.

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Our season kicked off this year with owner Mark Ripper in Townsville for some light tackle fun. The juvenile black marlins were very active this year. Mark caught and released 5 from 8 bites, all fishing on 6 kg congrats to Mark!

Our next group to join us was Shane and friends Kyron and Darren from WA. Shane and Kyron both caught good mackerel and although we had a few Marlins on, they proved to be elusive. Shane and Darren both landed largemouth nannygai and red throat emperor. And of course there were plenty of laughs and good times!

Off to Cooktown for our first heavy tackle charter with kiwi’s Rowan, Mike, Paul and big Bazz. Although it was still early in the season we saw 5 Marlin and had a few bites. Bazz caught a 31kg wahoo and Mike an 18kg giant trevally. The boys enjoyed great food and great laughs and we look forward to hosting them again.

Next trip – off to the Coral Sea. Our charter from Woolongong Brett, Hughsy, Marshy, Stoney and Browny were off for their first spearing trip to the Coral Sea. Day one saw us hooked up to a 600lb plus blue Marlin on our way to Holmes Reef. Unfortunately we lost it but it was not long before Brett had a spear into a 450lb black marlin on his second dive! Day two saw many quality Dog tooth tuna and Jobfish come aboard as well as more sightings of Marlin and huge Sharks. The weather was glamour and the boys enjoyed great food and of course our famous Castille hospitality.

Our next trip is with old clients and good friends Barry Bird and John Kilgour. John won the Tom Bell trophy for heaviest marlin with me in 1999 and Barry landed a 1078lb Black marlin in 2002.

More updates to come………

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Marlin Fishing

Cairns/Cooktown/Lizard Island

September to December
Heavy Tackle

September to December every year the Female Big Black Marlin come into the Reefs of North Queensland to spawn. The area is huge over 200 Nm long. Most of the breeders are between 700 and 1300lbs. There are also many male marlin 200 lbs up with the females which give our angler plenty of chances to catch all sizes of marlin.

It is a fact that 70% of all 1000+lbs Marlin in the world caught or released each year are caught of The Great Barrier Reef. If you want to catch a grander marlin, fishing of Cairns is by far the best chance you can give yourself.

The action never stops from dawn to dusk. We usually start with a snorkel on the GBR, then some bait fishing, jigging and popper throwing for many different species. They include Scad, Mackerel, Yellow fin and dog tooth tuna, queen fish, coral trout, Giant trevally and of course Giant Black Marlin. We usually wind up and head to our anchorage behind the reef about 6 PM each night.

COME WITH US ON THE CASTILLE III FOR THE ULTIMATE FISHING EXPERENCE.

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Congratulations to the winning boats of the 2012 30th Townsville Billfish Tournament. A further indication that the juvenile black marlins have returned, a huge 160 marlins (approx.) were tagged over the four day tournament. I think it’s safe to say the season is firing on all cylinders!

Light Tackle Black Marlin Season Townsville Availability

August – Mid September
Light Tackle and Fly Fishing
We still have a few days available to get amongst the action. Light Tackle marlin fishing is a pure adrenalin rush! These little black put on a show like no other. Jumping, flipping and parading around for all to see. Reserve your date now, contact Captain Brad Craft for details 0428 772 950 or send him an email info@castillecharters.com.

Cape Bowling Green located 30 miles east of Townsville and is renown as one of the best light tackle marlin grounds in the world. Not only Juvenile black Marlin and sailfish but many other pelargic species are prominent in this area such as tuna and mackerel. The best day of Townsville is 36 marlin in 1 day. If you like light tackle this is a must fish destination.

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If great fishing, great food and the Great Barrier Reef interest you then come with Castille Charters III for a “trip of a lifetime”.

Tight lines – Brad Craft

To read our Castille Charters III Newsletter -2 August 2012 online, click here. Want to keep up to date with our travels through the black marlin 2012 season? Simply email us your email address and we will add you to our newsletter mail out. Our email is info@castillecharters.com.au

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Catch your Grander aboard Castille Charters III

1000lb plus black marlin are a plenty in the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and the crew on Castille Charters III have caught more than their fair share. It is a fact that 70% of all 1000+lbs black marlins in the world caught or released each year are caught off The Great Barrier Reef. If you want to catch a grander marlin, fishing off Cairns from September to December is by far the best chance you can give yourself. Our skipper Capt Brad Craft has spent over 30 years in the game fishing and diving fleet and has over 25 years experience as a captain. In 2004 Brad and angler Jay Teeter weighed the 10th heaviest fish in Cairns history 1304lb black marlin, a strong advocate for tag and release this fish was the last fish to be weighed.

Save money – No mothership needed!

Castille Charters III is a fully self-contained, custom build 47ft O’Brien with the range, comfort and safety to sleep 4 anglers for extended trips to the very best locations in the GBR. Castille Charters 111 was custom build for marlin fishing, chartering from Cairns, Lizard Island, Cook Town and Townsville. When all you do is fish, you get VERY VERY good at it! Click here to view our marlin gallery

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It’s a very rare sight for Castille Charters to have the Townsville Billfish Challenge tournament free. If you want to fish one of the first tournaments of the year, get in quick as this availability won’t last! The Tournament runs from the 31st Aug – 3rd Sep 2012.

Contact Skipper Brad Craft on 0428 772 950 or email Brad on info@castillecharters.com to make your dream of fishing the Townsville Billfish Challenge a reality.

Townsville Billfish Challenge

Download the tournament brochure and entry form here. The Townsville tournament is sponsored by Mike Carney Toyota.

About Black Marlin fishing in Townsville

The Townsville black marlin season runs annually from May to September.  Juvenile black marlin and sailfish congregate on the waters off Cape Bowling Green which is 35 miles east of Townsville.  The best day’s fishing at Cape Bowling Green was a massive 36 marlin tagged in a single day. You don’t get those types of numbers on every trip but its fair to say, Townsville is an unrivaled destination for light tackle black marlin fishing. To find out more about our marlin fishing charters our of Townsville, click here.

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