VIKING 11 is currently at Port Stephens where as predicted, this season’s amazing run of small black marlin has made its way.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Port Stephens, it’s a “got to go there” place. My first true experience of game fishing, while still in primary school, was at Port Stephens, and memories of giant fish hanging from the Shoal Bay weigh station in the late ’60s are still in the depths of my mind.
My first ever marlin I caught off Port Stephens. Later, we went on to win the largest tournament in this country, the NSW Interclub – also at Port Stephens. As history now shows we have won this event a total of four times.
The Port is also a destination regularly mentioned in the IGFA world record book many times for outstanding captures on light and ultra light tackle and saltwater fly fishing tackle. The largest fish ever to be caught on fly fishing tackle (138 kg blue marlin on 10kg tippet) was caught out of Port Stephens on Viking 11. And not to forget good friend Marilyn Petersen’s two world records on ultra light tackle were taken on the same day.
As you can see Port Stephens holds a special place for me, and many others who have experienced the sort of fishing this place can produce for black marlin, striped marlin, blue marlin – including grand slams.
Days of double figure striped marlin are not uncommon, and this season with the large influx of small black marlin, so much fun on lighter tackle, both species and big number days, will be possible.
The few days that I have already done out of Port Stephens this year have produced some big number days with our charter clients having a ball. Some of this excellent fishing is occurring only a few miles out the front of the bay.
The big tournament month of February is upon us, and it’s peak season now, so don’t miss out!
www.australianmarlincharters.com
