A Gold Coast Fishing Charter: A Memorable Experience

Have you ever considered going to the Gold Coast, near Brisbane and experiencing a fishing charter? Gold Coast fishing charters work from two points on the Gold Coast. At the northern end from the Nerang River estuary called the Broadwater and at the southern end from the Tweed River. Read on to find out what kind of fish you can expect to catch and when as well as some other delights to behold.

Gold Coast fishing charters can be divided into two basic categories: calm water and deep sea (offshore fishing).

In terms of calm water fishing conducted by Gold Coast fishing charter operators, small boats are generally used with a limit of around 6 people on board. The fish that are usually caught include whiting, bream and flat head. Of course other fish are caught as well including even offshore varieties like tailor and snapper.

Most Gold Coast fishing charters are geared for deep sea fishing which makes it possible to catch some really large fish. Also it is common to view dolphins and whales as well as the opportunity to view the Gold Coast and mountainous hinterland looking from the ocean.

The types of fish caught when deep sea fishing varies from summer to winter seasons. Gold Coast fishing charter operators therefore make daily plans based on the seasons.

During the summer season, warm water currents flow from the north which can make fishing the deeper reefs (60-90 meters) for bottom dwelling fish quite difficult. On the upside though, the warm currents bring with them many fast pelagic fish such as black marlin, wahoo, mahi mahi and various species of tuna. The other alternative in the summer employed by Gold Coast fishing charters is to target the reefs closer to shore where snapper, teraglin, tailor and a variety of other bottom dwellers are typically caught.

What kind of baits are used by Gold Coast fishing charters? Live baits are used to catch the larger pelagic whilst pilchards, prawns and squid is typically used for reef fishing for bottom dwelling fish species.

When winter comes around, the fast traveling pelagic fish will have moved on. Now is the time for Gold Coast fishing charters to exclusively target reef fish at all depths. At the deeper reefs (60-90 meters) good catches of snapper, teraglin, pearl perch, amberjack and king fish are possible. Closer to shore, large cobia are target ted.

During the winter season, Gold Coast fishing charters become surrogate whale watching charters. Also during this season, more birds such as gannets and albatross appear, probably assisted by relatively less storm disturbances. Whatever your choice or time of year, your Gold Coast fishing charter experience will be unique with the ever changing ocean views, different types of fish caught and opportunities to witness whales, dolphins and turtles and other creatures of the wild.