Cairns Fishing Charters
Cairns fishing charters cover everything from tight barramundi country in the rivers to reef fishing just offshore, and heavy-tackle marlin grounds that attract crews from across the globe.
Top Rated Charters in Cairns
TrustedFish connects anglers with proven local captains in Cairns, QLD—no commissions, no pay-to-play listings, no BS. Every charter on our platform is invite-only, vetted for skill, local knowledge, and reputation. If they’re listed, they’ve earned it.
Cairns, QLD Fishing Guide
Cairns is one of those ports where you can point the bow in any direction and hit serious fishing. Up the creeks, the mangroves hold barramundi, mangrove jack, threadfin salmon, and fingermark, all taken on live baits or lures around drains and snags. Push just a few miles offshore and you’re straight onto the Great Barrier Reef, where coral trout, nannygai, red emperor, and Spanish mackerel keep anglers busy. Run wider again and you’re in marlin country—the heavy-tackle season here is world-famous, with giant blacks taken every spring on skip baits and big lures.
Charters run the full spread—half-day estuary trips in smaller trailer boats, full-day reef trips out of Cairns Marlin Marina, and multi-day mothership operations working the Ribbon Reefs. For most reef fishing, you’re looking at a 15–25 mile run, while marlin trips may push further depending on where the bait is stacked. Inshore runs are short, with productive drains and channels within 10 minutes of the ramp.
The fishery here is built around seasons. Winter brings stable weather and a hot mackerel bite along the reef edges. Summer is barra time, especially after the wet season when river systems flood with bait. Spring and early summer are when the black marlin move through in numbers, drawing the international fleet. Fall is a mix, with trout and reds reliable on the reef and estuary fishing steady as the water cools.
Techniques depend on your target. Live baiting mullet and prawns is standard for barra and jacks. On the reef, anchoring and fishing baits for trout and nannygai is common, while trolling and jigging account for mackerel and trevally. For marlin, it’s heavy tackle trolling with a full spread of lures and skip baits. Cairns is a fishery that offers options every month of the year, and the reputation it carries in the sportfishing world is well-earned.
Fishing Seasons in Cairns
Spring (March–May)
Spring is marlin time in Cairns. The black marlin migration kicks into gear, with giant fish shadowing schools of tuna and bait along the Ribbon Reefs. Heavy-tackle crews troll big skip baits and lures, targeting fish from 200 to over 1000 pounds. On the reef, Spanish mackerel remain thick early in the season, taken on trolled garfish and live fusiliers. In the estuaries, barra feed harder as water temps rise, and mangrove jacks start to fire around structure. Spring trips often combine reef fishing with trolling sessions, or estuary mornings with offshore afternoons, depending on the weather.
Summer (June–August)
Summer brings wet season rains, which light up the rivers and creeks. Barra are the main target, taken on live mullet and prawns in drains, or on soft plastics and vibes in the snags. Mangrove jack and threadfin salmon join the mix, feeding aggressively in the runoff. Offshore trips are weather-dependent, but when the seas settle, GTs and reef species are active on the pressure points. Spanish mackerel taper off, but tuna schools keep light-tackle anglers busy. Night fishing in the estuaries is popular this time of year, with barra feeding hard under the cover of darkness.
Fall (September–November)
By autumn, conditions settle after the wet. Coral trout, nannygai, and red emperor dominate the reef fishing, taken on baits and vertical jigs. Mackerel begin to build again on the reef edges as the water cools slightly. Estuary fishing remains steady, with barra still feeding well in March before slowing later in the season. Trevally and queenfish start showing stronger inshore, especially around current edges and flats. Fall is a reliable season where most options are in play, making it a favorite for mixed-bag trips.
Winter (December–February)
Winter in Cairns is all about the reef. Coral trout, emperor, and nannygai bite consistently, while Spanish mackerel arrive in big numbers along the reef drop-offs. Bottom fishing with baits and jigs is the bread-and-butter approach, but trolling garfish or wolf herring produces mackerel all day. Estuary fishing slows a little for barra, but bream, queenfish, and trevally take up the slack. Clear skies and calm seas dominate this season, making it the most reliable time for offshore charters. Winter is when locals stock the freezer with reef fish and mackerel fillets.
Gamefish in Cairns
- Black Marlin – 200–1000+ lb. Peak September–December on the Ribbon Reefs, trolled skip baits and lures.
- Spanish Mackerel – 10–40 lb. Strongest winter and spring on reef edges, best on trolled garfish or live fusiliers.
- Barramundi – 5–40 lb. Rivers and estuaries, best summer after the wet, taken on live mullet or soft plastics.
- Mangrove Jack – 2–12 lb. Found in estuary snags year-round, best in summer on live bait or lures.
- Coral Trout – 5–20 lb. Reef ledges and bommies year-round, taken on baits, trolling divers, or jigs.
- Nannygai – 5–15 lb. Deep reef edges, year-round, best on cut baits and soft plastics.
- Red Emperor – 10–25 lb. Found on deeper reefs, strongest in fall and winter, taken on baits and jigs.
- Giant Trevally – 20–80 lb. Smash poppers and stickbaits on reef pressure points in summer and fall.
Cairns Fishing FAQs
Where do most Cairns charters leave from?
Most trips run out of Cairns Marlin Marina, with quick access to both estuary systems and offshore reef grounds. Smaller estuary boats launch from local ramps depending on the tide.
How long are typical charters?
Half-day charters usually work the rivers and estuaries. Full-day trips head offshore to the reef, while marlin trips are often 10–12 hours or longer to cover the grounds.
Do charters supply gear?
Yes, all rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included. Marlin charters carry specialized heavy-tackle gear, while estuary guides provide lighter outfits for finesse fishing
Is a fishing license required in Cairns?
Not for saltwater fishing. Queensland only requires licenses for freshwater impoundments, which isn’t the case for Cairns charters.
What’s the best time to fish Cairns?
For marlin, spring is the peak. Spanish mackerel and reef fish fire in winter. Barra and estuary species bite best in summer after the rains.
What techniques do guides use?
Heavy trolling for marlin, anchoring and bait fishing on the reef, live-baiting in estuaries, and lure casting or jigging depending on target species.
What fish are best for beginners?
Estuary trips offer barra, flathead, and bream. Offshore, coral trout and nannygai are dependable, with mackerel providing line-burning runs
How many anglers can go on a charter?
Estuary boats carry 2–4 anglers comfortably, while reef boats can handle 6–10. Marlin boats often limit numbers for space and crew efficiency.
Are night trips available?
Yes, mostly in the estuaries for barra, jacks, and threadfin salmon. Offshore night fishing is rare, though some mothership trips offer overnight stays on the reef.