Smithy's Fishing Charters

As I write this, amazingly the Sunshine Coast is in the middle of a hot light tackle bite. We have not seen action this good for May or June since probably the super hot years of '90s. The negative is the blue marlin have been very hit and miss when everyone was expecting a good year. We are well overdue for a big run of blue marlin on the shelf.

The offshore boat used for fishing charters is a Reelax Capricorn Sportfisher built at Woongoolba between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. For Qld survey purposes the boat measures 7.7m and can carry 8 people in total (7 customers).

Its operational limit is 50Nm from land or partially smooth waters putting it in range of fishing hotspots like the Hards, the Barwon Banks, Cape Moreton, Caloundra Wide, the Caloundra 12mile, the 50m line, Chardons Reef, North Reef plus numerous wrecks and that is just off the Sunshine Coast.It is powered by a 240hp 4 cylinder Yanmar diesel engine maintaining a genuine 18knot cruise speed in most seas.

Your skipper Robert Smith has done it all in the field of recreational fishing from chasing 1,000 pound Black Marlin off the waters of Cooktown out of a trailer boat to Blue Marlin off Port Stephens in New South Wales, Red Emperor fishing at night 40 nautical miles off civilisation, even drowning shrimp for Golden Perch on Queensland's impoundments.

On longer trips your main meals. Bottled water supplied. Beer etc. is on a bring your own basis. Don't forget your sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and a camera to record your memorable catch. It would be worth having an ice box or similar in your car to transport your catch home once we get back in. The offshore boat is in survey for 8 people including the skipper but we realise that would be too crowded.

All charter times shown are the minimum duration of trip from leaving the jetty or boat ramp to returning again. A sole charter on the offshore boat "Capricorn" is based on the boat being full with 4 customers. 1-3 people if you want sole charter have to pay the price of 4. I'll book 2-3 people in at the per person price if you want to share with others.