Bec-deckhand | Maryanne-bookings | Bob-skipper | Chris-deckhand and website designer.

Becki the decky at age 7 in 1994 and at age 19 in 2006.

Chris the decky at age 3 in 1987 and at age 21 in 2006.

Bec and Chris and a lota flake. 2007.

A personal invitation from Maryanne, Bob, Bec and Chris. G'day, let us extend to you our personal invitation to join us for a great fishing, sightseeing and boating experience on the Gold Coast Australia.

Please contact us to enquire about or book a trip at bk@bksfishing.com.au.

Our boat/yours for the day - Reef Cat 2.

Your boat for your adventure is powered by quiet, smokeless four stroke motors.

Your boat for your trip is a fantastically safe and stable fishing platform, as used by many rescue authorities, it is a 10 meter/33 foot, Cougar Catamaran, named "Reef Cat 2". It is licensed to carry 12 guests. Built to government survey regulations, survey safety equipped, and fitted with the latest fishing electronics, it is a fast, (33 KNOTS), stable, twin hulled, wide bodied, twin engine boat with ample seating under a large roof area.

It is powered by 2 quiet, smokeless Yamaha four stroke motors.
Of particular note for the ladies, there is an enclosed, modern, electric flushing, highly sanitized, private toilet in the forward cabin. It is complemented with an electric, fresh running water tap with basin, liquid soap, mirror and disinfectant deodorizers.

GOLD COAST INSHORE REEF & GAME FISHING Q & A with BK.

An example follows of one of the many questions we have fielded from new boat owners and fishos to the Gold Coast. Please feel free to email yours - BK.

Q. Is it normal to have no bird activity when fish show on the fishfinder? I was down on the Gold Coast on Sunday fishing the 24 fathom reef area with a friend and could see your charter near by - we caught some tuna and lost some halco lasers to toothy critters - good fun but expensive losses with the lures! One thing I noticed - although we sounded around and found fish in mid to top water (and on the bottom) there were no birds to make it obvious that bait was being harassed - is that normal for the area? Cheers Ian. Fisho from Brisbane.
A. Re no bird activity. Yes it is normal to have no bird activity in winter on our Gold Coast inshore grounds; this is the area in which we specialise all year round. Last Sunday when you saw us on the 24's the yacka/yellowtail scad, slimeys/slimey mackerel and the ever present tailor were schooling from mid water to the bottom. This winter (2006) we're seeing (and catching) leaping bonito and yellow fin tuna breaking the surface as they are being chased by whaler sharks. The main time that birds are a good indicator to us is when they are diving hard at whitebait and pilchards in summer and with them is all manor of pelagic and shark. Quite amazing at times, one time we saw mack tuna, black tip reef sharks, school, spotted and spanish mackerel, all feasting on the dense schools of baitfish when dolphins suddenly joined in, only to have 2 dolphin calves driven out of the water by a large whaler shark and have their tails taken clean off in mid air. A few months later we witnessed the same seen but it was whaler shark 'tailing" smaller shark close to the shark control net at Nobbies Beach - when all of this is happening we set one of our recently caught spotted mackerel on a 10/0 tuna circle with 48 kg Jenki as the main line so that us humans could play "top of the food chain", ie; do battle and catch the marauding whaler, the guests on board love it!
(oops, I think I got a bit carried away with that answer - bk) anyway -
A. Re the halco losses. To reduce you lure losses try rigging them with short leaders and small rolling swivels, this will keep the swivel and smaller bubbles closer to the hooked fish which makes it harder for other fish keen to get in on the feeding action to bite at when they are attracted to the bubbles or swivel, (it's just like seagulls scraping over the same morsel). We've seen every pelagic that we catch followed up by it's own kind, - solution?, distract it by casting a float bait or lure into it's vision to go for a double hook up. We have seen many different pelagic sever lines, the most amazing example was when after a 35 minute battle with a cobia that was just one metre from the business end of the gaff, a spotted mackerel at great speed opened it's mouth to engulf the swivel, it actually missed the swivel but hit and sliced through the line just behind to release the Cobia as if rescued on purpose. Tailor are another line cutting culprit along with many pelagic in the razor gang.
A. Re the three levels of fish found on your fishfinder. As mentioned before we/BK's Gold Coast Fishing Charters were on the 24's as well that day, but as we do, had the advantage of many different rigs in the water at different nominated depths, this then proves to us what is showing on the fishfinder, on your particular day it was yacka/yellow tail scad, cowanyoung and tailor showing on the sounder and being caught from mid water to 2 metres from the bottom, close to the bottom were the usual bait stealing and time wasting small mouth pickers, mado sweep, sweep, tarwhine and line cutting triggerfish. It's easy to prove what the top show is on the fishfinder - have a look over the side, it can be any thing from pilchards to marlin, a good reason to keep a float bait outfit at the ready. But remember when "sight" fishing, that if you can see the fish, they can see you, your shadow, your fast moves, casting, your eyes, sounds and heavy splashing from your cast bait or lure does make them head for deep cover. - How to over come all that? ~ Go ahead, make my day and ask BK.

Please feel free to send any Gold Coast inshore, reef, and game fishing questions to me at bk@bksfishing.com.au ... happy hook-ups ... from Capt'n Bob.

Our trips and prices

Our 5 hour ocean reef and game fishing experience fee is $90 per person.
First time or experienced anglers, sightseers, mums, dads, kids, grandparents or the girls' day out ~ all are extremely welcome.
Three boarding times are available ~ 6.00am, 11.15am and 4.30pm.
We build the party to a maximum of 12 guests, singles, twos etc are no problem or you can book the whole boat for your group only @ $1020 for weekends and public holidays, ie $85ea for 12 persons.
Our non weekend & non public holiday SPECIAL is $960 for a maximum of 12 guests, ie $80ea.

HOW DO I ENQUIRE, BOOK AND PAY? Our preferred enquiry and booking method is by email. To Secure your booking we do require your Visa or MasterCard details which are not drawn on unless you default on your booking. Cash is preferred, payable on the boat after boarding. Your credit card details are kept as a security only. If you prefer to pay by Visa or MasterCard you will need to bring it on the day of your trip. Our second preference for enquires and bookings is by Fax on 07 55375057. Alternately for enquires and bookings please phone us on 0414 293 034. Our cancellation policy is that no payment is required by you if you cancel 14 or more days prior to your boarding time. On cancelling within 14 days of your boarding time we will endeavour to replace your booking but if unsuccessful we will debit your Visa or MasterCard for the seats we do not fill that you had booked. Our email address is bk@bksfishing.com.au.