Cairns is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, making it a great fishing destination. Fishing charters are a great way of exploring the waters at Cairns. The fishing charter chosen determines how well your fishing expedition goes.
Will it be a memorable day or an outright disappointment? It is imperative to take time to choose the best Cairns fishing charter. Here are some considerations to put in place when choosing a fishing charter:
Experience of the Captain
Different fishing charters specialise in catching certain types of fish. The success of a fishing expedition depends entirely on how competent or experienced the captain is at locating fish. If the captain is not able to take you where the fish is, you’re bound to waste a lot of time on the water doing nothing.
Safety
Anything can go wrong in the ocean. Boats could collide, the weather can change drastically or someone could fall overboard. Safety is therefore of utmost importance when choosing a charter. Is the captain and all the crew in the boat trained and certified? Are they also trained in first aid?
Does the boat have life jackets and life savers? Does the boat have twin engines? Does the charter have insurance? All these are aspects of safety meant to ensure you stay safe in case of an eventuality.
Type of Fishing
Troll fishing doesn’t give the same experience as fly fishing. The Cairns fishing charters offer different types of fishing. First determine the kind of fishing you think will give you the experience you want.
If you want to bond with friends and family, a charter that offers fly fishing might be the one for you. Some charters offer both trolling and tackle fishing, enhancing the experience for everyone in the boat.
Fishing Gear
Find out whether the charter provides fishing gear and if they do, the type available. The gear dictates the kind and size of fish you can catch. Big fish cannot be caught with simple rods. Therefore, heavier reeling gear is required. If they do not provide fishing gear, do you have the gear to fish with you?
Boat Size
The size of the boat and speed is an important consideration. When out in the ocean, the comfort of a ride depends heavily on the size of the boat. A big boat is comfortable for fishing and riding on the waves than a small boat.
Sharing or Private Charter
Most Cairns game fishing charters are available as either private or shared charters. For private charters you agree on the price, pay and the boat takes you to the ocean. It is fast, but expensive.
On the other hand, a shared charter boat charges every fisherman a flat fee to board the boat. Usually such boats have a schedule they follow because they only leave when a certain number of customers have booked.
With these considerations in mind, you will have a memorable day on the Cairns fishing charters. Also be sure to know about how the catch is shared.