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		Big Game Fishing in Australia and New Zealand
		Australia Opportunities for big game fishing in Australia abound. Sailfish and Marlin (blue, striped and black) inhabit the entire east coast of the country. In the south these fish are found down to Bermagui (a small town 400km [300miles] south of Sydney. Almost all of the major population centres up the east coast offer big game opportunities and fully kitted out professional charter boats to put you in to fish. These include Bermagui, Batemans Bay, Jervis Bay, Sydney itself, Port Stephens, Brisbane and a number of centres up the Queensland coast. Further north there is plentiful game fishing opportunities throughout the tropical regions. This includes the Great Barrier Reef holiday destinations where it is possible to combine big game fishing with a family holiday at high quality tropical island resorts. And, of course, there is Cairns! This city in the far north of Queensland is the centre of the Big Game universe. With many opportunities for that magical 1,000lb Marlin. The scene varies as you travel from south to north. In the south from about the New South Wales/Victorian border the big game fishing is highly seasonal with the Australian summer December – March) being the prime time. Sailfish and Marlin are on offer in weights from 100lb to 400lb with the odd larger specimen. Mixed in with them are any number of medium to large tuna and other light game opportunities (see the light game article). As you travel north the water warms, the fishing is less seasonal and the size of fish gradually improves until you reach Cairns where the really big guys live. Fishing for large Marlin in Cairns is still seasonal (for the very large fish) to some extent but opportunities to tie into game fish exist all year round. Getting there For the business or family traveler Sydney offers many opportunities which can be combined with a general holiday and probably represents the best alternative. If you want to travel north or south from Sydney there are trains, tourist buses and small aircraft services that service most of the major centres. At some stage, however, you will need some form of automobile transport. You can hire cars from most places on arrival or you can hire a vehicle in Sydney and drive to your fishing destination. Bermagui is about a five hour drive down our spectacular coastline. Port Stephens another major game fishing port north of Sydney is also about 5 hours by car. Please be aware that both Australia and New Zealand driving is on the left hand side of the road. Further north, Brisbane is a 1 hour flight from Sydney. The Whitsunday Islands and Cairns is another two hours further north by commercial jet aircraft. Guide Services All areas in Australia where game fishing is practiced have professional, well fitted out guide and charter services available. Prices vary considerably but you can count on $US750 to $1,000 per day for exclusive use of a game boat, skipper and mate. Many operators will put together groups and if you join one of these the cost is lower. New Zealand The only two areas in New Zealand offering game fishing are the far northern tip of the North Island and Whittanga on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Fishing in the north west is centered on the Bay of Islands this area offers excellent big game and deep sea fishing for Striped Marlin and Yellowfin Tuna. The season is December to May for the Marlin and June to September for the Yellowfin. On the east coast the season is late December to April. Both areas are supported by numerous charter boats offering comfortable fishing, knowledgeable crews and well outfitted game boats. To get more information search the Fishing In Oz web site at www.fishinginoz.com.au

Copyright© Ray Gudgeon and Associates
PO box 892 Campbelltown NSW 2560 Australia
Phone: International - 61 419 274 264 from within Australia - 0419 274 264
Fax: International - 61 2 4626 8123 From within Australia - 02 4626 8123
Email: ray.gudgeon@rga.com.au