Rec and Sports

A Gold Coast Fishing Charter: What You Can Expect

Hey, whose been to the Gold Coast in Australia? It’s an absolute mecca for any serious international travel ling tourist. It’s a place where man and nature meet. One of the best ways to experience the Gold Coast is to go on a Gold Coast fishing charter. So what do you get when you go on a Gold Coast fishing charter? Read on.

Gold Coast fishing charters especially target novice or even first time fishermen and fisher women. At the same time, fishing experts are welcomed and are encouraged to team up with others of like mind to tailor a charter just for them. Know too that fishing is not the ‘be all and end all’. You can enjoy the ride, the scenery or just being with your group

When you choose to go on a Gold Coast fishing charter, you need to choose between fishing in calm water or going offshore. The latter is the excitement adrenalin pumping option. The former is for those that prefer to feel like they are still on land.

So what’s the price of all the Gold Coast fishing charter deals? From $85-$140 you can take a 5 hour trip. If you pay between $140-$190 you can take a 9 hour trip. The other factors that separate the different operators include: boat size/comfort levels and the actual areas that are visited. Bear in mind that some operators will limit the areas accessed, to save on fuel.

What is provided on a Gold Coast fishing charter? All the fishing gear, bait, food and drink. It’s against the law for a charter boat operator to dispense motion sickness tablets. It’s advisable that you bring your own motion sickness tablets. If you want you may bring your own fishing equipment.

Most Gold Coast fishing charters operate out of the Broadwater, which is the large sheltered waterway at the northern end of the Gold Coast near Surfers Paradise. According to the weather conditions, time of year, style of fishing and length of the charter, boats will fish rocky reef areas ranging from 20-90 meters depth. Some will be constantly moving, drifting over the reefs, or anchor in one place.

What type of fish should one expect to bring in whilst on a Gold Coast fishing charter? snapper, pearl perch, teraglin, cobia, spotted mackerel, tailor, amberjack and kingfish. Having said that, you could very well catch a dozen or more different species on the same day including the fast swimming pelagic fish that occupy the surface areas of the ocean. These include: sharks, mahi mahi, marlin etc.

Even though fishing is a seasonal activity, Gold Coast fishing charters operate all year round. Generally speaking, target species are classified as “warm water” and “cold water”. During the warmer months of the year, it is a great opportunity to go after the fast swimming pelagic fish which occupy the upper reaches of the ocean. During the winter months, it is best to target bottom or reef fish.