Fishing Trip Whitsundays
What You Need To Know To Book The Best Fishing Trip In The Whitsundays.
There is no better fishing option in Australia than a fishing trip Whitsundays. It is one of the top spots in the country for sheer abundance of fish and inherent beauty. The Whitsundays is a group of 74 islands just off the central Queensland coast that lie between the mainland and the Great Barrier Reef amid pristine waters and sunny skies. The good thing about fishing here is that there are a slew of boat charters on hand, where you can have anything from a dinghy up a virtual trawler. You can also rent yachts and motor cruisers to take in the islands at large as well as enjoy the fishing.
As to what to catch; there are all sorts of beauties out there, including mackerel, tuna, and marlin. The reef fishing is particularly good, with snapper, trout, and gorgeous red emperor all in abundance. The best fishing can be had on the outer edge of the Whitsundays National Park, beyond Hook and Hayman islands. The waters are pristine here and there are fewer boats around.
Airlie Beach is the main base for fishing trip Whitsundays. It sits on the Queensland mainland between Brisbane and Cairns, and although it doesn’t have much of a beach, it is a buzzing town with loads of hotels, cafés, restaurants and bars. Airlie Beach is especially popular with backpackers and there is a glut of hostels and guesthouses for this group, plus it is also family-friendly and has quality hotels and resorts. Airlie also has an abundance of tackle shops and a couple of launch ramps - Able Point Marina and Shute Harbor (around the headland).
If you fancy getting on a fishing day trip it is best to go from Shute Harbor, from where tours leaving every morning. They typically include pick-ups and drop-offs from your hotel, all equipment (including a choice of rods and bait) and a hearty lunch. The location of the fishing depends on the tides and wind conditions, with the areas around Hook, Hayman and Langford islands being the choicest spots. The MV Jillian is a regular out here and catches are sized, cleaned and iced so that you can get them cooked up in your hotel or local restaurant.
As well as paying to go on a fishing trip Whitsundays, you can of course also rent a boat and go from Airlie Beach or Shute Harbor. Many fishermen decide to go the bareboat route with several buddies to keep the cost down. Going whole hog, you could even book into the exclusive resort on Hayman Island (north of Hook and Whitsunday islands) and make use of their moorings. This way you will only be minutes from the best fishing grounds. Another option is to fly direct to Hamilton Island and then hire a boat from its established marina and go from there. Hamilton is just below Whitsunday Island and is the busiest in the chain. It lies in an area where there are fine beaches and lots of sightseeing and snorkeling options.
