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WANT TO FISH THE CAIRNS GIANT BLACK MARLIN FISHERY?

All you need to know, as well as a whole lot more! Fishery resources and History at your fingertips brought to you by the Cairns professional Game Fishing Association.

The Great Barrier Reef, specifically the waters between Cairns in the south, and Lizard Island to the north, are world-renowned as THE BEST giant black marlin grounds in the world. In the years since the first grander black marlin in 1966, the Cairns marlin fleet has grown and the industry developed as conservation outweighs outdated techniques.

This website shares historical and modern-day in-depth information about fishing here, including years of fishing report archives. All together its why this part of the world is so very special and a bucket list destination for every angler!

Quick Links

Report archives

More than 15 years of Australian marlin fishing reports live here in the report archives. Search by dates. Cairns marlin season overview reports.

Cairns marlin history

When Captain George Bransford first visited Cairns in 1943 as an American Paratrooper , he was fascinated to hear the locals’ tales of enormous billfish along the Great Barrier Reef that smashed the professional fishermen’s gear and stole their catches.

Meet the Cairns marlin fleet

The boats that make up the Cairns marlin fleet in pictures as well as who ran them and when.

Significant catches

In the beginning, as the fishery developed, the World Records fell thick and fast. These days they are more challenging and bring anglers back year after year. This is a timeline of some of the more significant catches – mostly records – of the past 50 odd years.

ON the EDGE Doco

In 2019 the CPGFA commissioned the production of the ON The Edge to showcase our historical connection to the Great Barrier Reef together with those men and women who set out over 50 years ago to fish these waters. Over 50 years of Cairns marlin history.

KEY LOCATIONS

Starting with a map of the Ribbon Reefs to in-depth introductions to the key locations of the Cairns marlin fishery.

MEDIA Library

More about the Cairns marlin fishery written by others.

Faces of the gbr

From the captains and crewmen (and women) to the anglers and supporters who all combine to make this fishery great!

Cairns hall of fame

The Cairns Game Fishing Hall of Fame has been formed to provide a memorial for those individuals, living and deceased, who have made meaningful contributions over the years to Cairns game fishing.

Marlin memorabilia

Where to see the Cairns Game Fishing Association’s Giant Black Marlin Sculpture on the Cairns waterfront as well as other local places to see historical mounts and memorabilia.

tournament reports

A compository of tournament reports from the prestigious Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic to the Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association’s Black Marlin Championship.

Make a Submission

Do you have media (videos/photos) or information to submit to help us document the Cairns giant black marlin fishery? Submissions are welcome any time and can be done online via the submit page.