Eight Spanish Mackerel in forty-five minutes, everybody was pumped and we decided to leave a hot bite, It was a tough call, I know, but everybody was impressed and Red Emperor were calling.

This was the start of a three day charter with Reefari onboard Mako, a big comfortable Steber 41 gameboat. Jason Kennedy from Southern Cross TV Show, “Fishin Trip”, as well as Steve Burns, and John Kavagnah were our Guests on this fishing adventure, all from Victoria.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=juKwJ64Vnwc

We fished our way out to Steven’s Reef for the first night, with plans to target a secret Reddy spot at Charlie’s bommie, plus check out a few new marks on the way.

The weather was holding nicely, as we cruised over some new marks, and we dropped a few exploratory rigs down in the hope of some good fish, but unfortunately, nothing in return.

They can be hit and miss, and it pays to keep on trying, which we did, until we came across the Motherload, an unexpected bonanza which blew everyone away.

It was of course appropriately saved and the waypoint called the Motherload, what else, with five and six way hookups the norm, and all quality fish including Nannygai, Red Emperor, spangled Emperor, Cod and Trevally coming aboard thick and fast.

Even XOS Chinamen of 10 Kilo’s plus gave everyone a back breaking workout, with calls of big reds, resulting in huge disappointment, every reef fisherman knows the feeling with these fish having to be released.

They’re well known for ciguatera poisoning, and now protected.

Trolling the reef edges is also a popular option, and great fun, with more Spanish Mackerel, Shark Mackerel and Trevally falling to the lures. One Monster Shark Mackerel worth mentioning pushed the scales down to 10.5 kilo’s and was one of the biggest I’ve seen landed, caught by Kevin Boyle.

Red emperor came on steady and even landed several into the night, with a mixed bag of Red throat and Spangled emperor also landed for those who persevered.

Special mention must go to Sally Vennick, Reefari’s new skipper of Mako, and good to see her outfish the blokes with the biggest fish of the trip, a Huge cod of approx 25 kilo’s. Matty Sutton, the Decky and Sally went to great efforts, venting the fish, and towed before successfully being released which was great to see.

Everybody was blown away with some great fishing, with about a dozen red Emperor to 8 kilo’s, and a great mixed bag, It was decided to chase some of the Big Nannygai that Mackay is famous for, for the Camera, Going to some of our old favourites failed to find a big Nannygai, believe it or not, more Red emperor and a quality Coral trout.

That’s fishing and not a bad consolation prize, with the weather now picking up and running out of time, it was time to head for the Marina.

Make sure you checkout the above fishing video at www.youtube.com/reefari and the “fishing Trip” TV Show in early October, will be a Red Emperor Spectacular.

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The much anticipated 2010 JG Marine & Mowers Spanish Mackerel Shoot Out was contested over the weekend of 10th and 11th July 2010.

The 15-20 knot forecast reaching 20-25 knots at times meant for trying times as 58 registered anglers did their best to land the best fish they could find.

Credit must be given to the team on board “Somewhere”, skippered by Dennis Breadsell, who managed to get Mick Rethus and Craig Breadsell hooked up to some monster spanish mackerel..

The first 2 fish they put on the scales were impressive:- Craig’s first a commendable 17kg while Mick’s first fish at 21.6 kg put him in front of the best fish weighed in on the Saturday that was 18.65kg from Jason Jenkins.

However, when the second mackerel bag was opened up it was clear the competition was just between Craig and Mick. Craig’s 2nd fish was weighed in at 30.50 kg and when Mick’s 2nd fish was weighed at 30.00kg Craig had found himself the winner of the $1200 cash 1st prize in the 2010 JG Marine& Mowers Spanish Mackerel Shoot-out.

Mick Rethus ended up with 2nd and third prizes in the Mackerel section to also take home $750 cash. Some quality Spanish Mackerel caught on Wolf herring, top baits for these big fish.

The Spanish Mackerel mystery weight section saw Chris Ellis score a Reefari one Day Reef fishing trip with his 10.75kg Mackerel being the closest to the 13.5kg mystery mark.

Mitchell Bridson weighed in 2 Spanish Mackerel (16.1kg & 15.4kg) to take out the Junior Heaviest Spanish Mackerel and junior mystery weight Spanish mackerel division to end up with $350 cash.

The new reef fin fish sections also generated a lot of interest this year, however, the strong winds also made it difficult for most people to fish where they wanted, with Coral trout, Nannygai and Red Emperor up for Grabs. Greg Reynolds from Reefari, took out 1st & 2nd prize in the coral trout section and the 1st prize for the nannygai section to walk away with $1000 cash and a $250 rod and reel from Nashys compleat angler.

The biggest of Greg’s fish were a Coral trout weighing 5.00kg gilled & gutted and a Large Mouth Nannygai weighing 7.80kg gilled & gutted, both quality fish in such rough conditions from the Shipping Channel.

A crowd of well over 100 people attended the final weigh in and presentations held on Sunday 11th July at the Mackay Surf Club.

Once again this year the Fisheries research team attended the weigh in sessions and showed the public how they go about their research into determining fish length, age and sex and how the public can get involved in their research activities.

Great to see, and help in Spanish Mackerel research. The other crowd pleaser for the Sunday prize presentations was the lucky draw prizes that included a $400 Tackle World voucher won by Ian Meads, a Tackle World rod and reel won by Warren Meads & Sebastian Evans.

Once again the Mackay Game Fishing Club would like to thank all of the tournament sponsors JG Marine & Mowers, Reefari, Nashy’s Compleat Angler, Tackle World, Hitachi, Sharps Heavy Equipment Repairs, CQMS razor, Sea FM, Hot FM, Zinc FM and Bullivants for their contribution to the event and the people of Mackay that made the event the success that is has been.

Thanks must go to the Organiser of the 2010 JG Marine & Mowers Spanish Mackerel Shoot-Out Ian Meads, the president of the Mackay Game fishing club and the committee for the time and effort in putting such an event together. No doubt we will all be lining up in 2011 to do it all over again, and hope to see you next year.

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SCAWFELL ISLAND WEEKEND

The Mackay Game fishing club had a social weekend planned for an overnight fishing trip to Scawfell Island, which is one of the best and most scenic anchorages on the East Coast.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6uXPR3CXM8

Scawfell island is located about 25 nautical miles to the North east from the Mackay Marina, an easy hour or so run.    Scawfell is a large island with a large horseshoe shaped bay, appropriately named Refuge bay, and  protected from our Prevailing SE Winds, with beautiful beaches and coral line bay, it’s hard to beat, plus of course some great fishing.

Reefari and Co, planned to fish the shipping channel, for the day, and come back to Scawfell for a bit of R & R, and spend the night, with a leisurely Sunday before heading home.

The weather gods must have known it was a Mackay Game fishing club event and the usually 15 – 20 knots forecast was standard, which of course makes things generally uncomfortable and the fishing difficult.   So in Marginal Conditions we set off In Raptor II, for some of our wide fishing marks.

Yohan can attest to that, being rather Green about the Gills, he still held his own and courageously fished on, although he did let quite a few go, and got plenty of ribbing for his efforts.   The tides were good, with not too much run, and the start of the build up to the full moon.

The fishing started slowly, getting some nice pan sized Nannygai, small and large, grassy sweetlip and the odd Coral Trout.

Luckily, things kept on getting better, moving to some wider marks and everybody getting their sea legs, some quality 5 & 6 kilo Nannygai now regularly were coming on board and everybody was enjoying the fishing, with the lumpy trip, now worthwhile.  We of course were the only ones silly enough to be out there.

The fish kept coming nice and steady, with a 8 Kilo Nannygai to the Skipper, Greg Reynolds a great highlight for the morning to take the fish of the day.   Jason Horton Landed a beaut 60 cm Grassy Sweetlip which pushed Reefari’s record of 63 cm, and everyone will agree is a quality fish at this size.

Yohan did finally manage to land a nice coral trout of about 3 kilo’s which was his first and was mightily impressed.

There was Plenty of Red emperor  on the chew, but being of the smaller variety around the 40 – 45 cm, they all went back for another day.

The fishing was excellent working a few new marks with one spot erupting into a 5 way hookup and Kaos, ducking and weaving rods, to end up with a mixed bag of five quality fish, 3 Largemouth Nannygai, Large Grassy sweetlip and Coral trout coming to the boat.

A top way to end a hot bite, with us deciding to move on and we left them biting, the Spanish mackerel esky was 3/4 ‘s full and a good feed for everybody.

We checked out a few new marks and then worked our way back to Scawfell island for the night with seas on our Quarter.   With calm seas, and a sheltered anchorage, the ice cold beers were very appreciated.

Definitely great fishing, great company and it doesn’t get any better.

The Mackay Game Fishing club’s next big event is the Spanish Shootout to be held over the Weekend of the 9^th and 10^th of July with heaps of Great prizes on offer, and not just Spanish Mackerel, with Reef fin fish species also now eligible, including Red Emperor, Nannygai and Coral Trout.

Make sure you get involved with everybody welcome, bring the kids and have a great fishing weekend.  Reefari is proud to be sponsor this event with some great mystery weight prizes up for grab.

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The Annual Mackay tourism awards were held at the New MECC (Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre) with over 120 people attending from Mackay’s tourism industry and community leaders on Thurs 25^th March 2010.

With several tourism categories up for grabs,  Reefari was awarded the winner of the Transport, tours and Cruises section.  An excellent award and recognises the hard work that has gone into the last few years, establishing Reefari in a competitive industry, plus not to mention some truly awesome fishing and trophy quality fish.

Reefari Pty Ltd is a proactive Fishing charter business operating from Mackay Marina offering a quality experience, fishing and cruising the islands and reefs off Mackay.

All efforts are made to ensure the highest quality service and assistance/instruction is given to our guests, with fishing equipment, and handling of their catch and enjoyment of their fishing charter.

All efforts are made to ensure vessels are of the highest standards with regard to presentation, maintenance and cleanliness.  All fishing equipment and tackle is serviced regularly and in excellent condition.

Reefari follows all Fishing and GBRMPA  regulations, and promotes sports fishing and the release of unwanted fish.   We also participate in a fisheries research project collating data on the Spanish Mackerel, with relation to length, location of capture and fish frames kept for further research.

Reefari restricts the vessel’s catch and has imposed stricter fish bag limits to help preserve our fishing  resource.  Reefari promotes release of all Giant Trevally caught, and careful handling practices to ensure the safe release of all caught fish.

Regular meetings and training trips are undertaken to further enhance our skipper and crews skills.  Reefari charters is actively pursuing the sports fishing market for Giant Trevally, with further research, training and gaining valuable experience in catching these prized trophy fish, and developing a new fishery for the Mackay day market to the local islands and extended overnight charters.

Regular review of crew’s performance to ensure high standards are met and if any improvements can made and implemented.

Reefari actively promotes fishing in the region and sponsors and assists the Mackay Game Fishing Club’s Spanish Shootout, and Barra Pro Barra Classic fishing events and other charitable events, such as the upcoming Dig Deep for Cancer for Breast Cancer.

Reefari has gone through significant growth with management of four vessels, offering a wide array of services and charters catered to all guest’s particular needs from a small group for a half day charter through to an extended Mothershipping charter for a large group up to 7 days or more.

Reefari has formed business arrangements with local Accommodation and has experienced strong growth in the travelling market specifically for our extended charters of more than two days from the southern Cities.  Future growth is being planned for our overnight charters, mothershipping charters and Giant Trevally sportsfishing.

Reefari strives for the highest service and standards possible and to improve further, with a high customer satisfaction level achieved from most charters and good repeat business.

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With a slight breeze blowing, calm seas and the confidence through the roof a good day was on the cards, Paul Rochford and crew from South Walker Creek Mine, Nebo.

We arrived at our first spot in the shipping channel around 8 o’clock,  the hooks were baited and on their way quickly to the bottom. The first two not even making it that far before they were engulfed and line started peeling off the reels.

This was the start of one action packed day, within 20 minutes everyone had caught at least two keepers and were sitting down for a breather and a hard earned drink.

All except one keen angler who stuck to his guns stating he wasn’t sitting down until he’d caught his first Reddy.

On one such drift it was non stop for about an hour as the skipper and I wondered why we hadn’t drifted off the mark.

I finally got a spare second I noticed we’d hardly moved at all the wind and the tide were fighting against each other making us do circles over and over our mark.

The Hot Steamy weather had certainly fired up the fishing and produced on hot session which no one will forget in a hurry.

With the esky starting to fill up, a change of spot was decided in the hope it might slow the boys down, Tuff I know.

This however was not the case with it being all systems go at the next spot with some good Grassy lipper and the first reddy being boated it was time for another breather and a bit of lunch.

I took this as an opportunity to put one in the esky for myself,  so I swiftly dropped a squidgy to the bottom only for it to get smashed within the first minute, with another nannygai in the esky.

It was back to work with some of the boys soon reaching bag limits on the large mouth nannygai and healthy ones being released, with an hour left and the persistent kiwi yet to take a break from finding that elusive reddy.

I jokingly commented it was a a monster reddy on it’s way up only to my surprise when it did surface and was a quality 5kg model.

With the rest of the boys reaching their bag limits and a nice coral trout to top it all off.

It was soon decided the beer was running too low to stay out any longer, the lines came in and we headed for home for some hard earned tales of the ones that didn’t get away and a few happy snaps.

A day that will never be forgotten by all on board that fateful day.

Regards,
Brent Stephenson

Reefari Deck Hand

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You Need To Be Prepared For Just About Anything Reef Fishing In Mackay

Raptor II, a 33ft Cougar Cat owned and operated by Reefari Charters was able to make the most of a break in the turbulent weather to head offshore and target a host of tasty reef species along some deep-water shoals off Mackay.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONl48LmwpJc

With a crew of eight punters aboard, including national fishing writer and photographer Lee Brake, the Reefari crew were able to locate some top table fish for the clients including a school of hard fighting Golden Trevally, some trophy Nannygai, a quality red emperor and some thumping great coral trout.

Lee Brake Had This To Say About The Charter…

According to Lee Brake the highlight of the day was when he and one of the other anglers literally caught the same Nannygai only to become engage in a game of tug-O-war with one of the deep’s giant predators.

The Double Hook Up

“I was testing out some soft plastic lures called Gulp Jerkshads when I had a solid hook-up.  It seemed like a quality fish, but after just a few strong runs my line suddenly went slack,” said Lee.

“Just as my line went slack, I noticed Bill Smith  suddenly bend over like he’d been punched in the stomach with his rod bucking and bending to ungodly angles.

There wasn’t much we could do except watch and take photos because whatever had his line didn’t even look like stopping!”

Luckily (or unluckily) for Bill, the line broke under the pressure leaving him to rub his aching arms.  The action however, didn’t finish there.

“I finished taking photos of poor Bill’s herculean battle only to return to my own rod and wind up the slack to reveal some weight,” reported Lee.

“The weight didn’t move much at first, but about half way up there was a small kick, so at least I knew it was a fish.

What I didn’t expect though was to pull in a very sizeable nannygai that was absolutely smashed!  The poor thing had been in the mouth of a giant, probably a huge cod, as it had visible teeth marks around the neck, but had also been sucked clean of scales.”

Even The Deckhand Brent Was Amazed At What He Saw!

The Raptor’s deck hand, Brent Stephenson was then completely gobsmacked because as he went to remove Lee’s lure from the fish’s mouth he found Bill’s hook and line still in place and protruding from the Nannygai’s mouth.

“I’d never seen anything like it.  The fish must have hit Lee’s lure then taken Bill’s bait as well, only Bill was winding faster than Lee; meaning Lee’s line went slack and he thought he’d lost the fish,” said Bill Smith.

When The Cod Attacks!!!!

After that, the massive cod must have smashed the poor thing which would explain why Bill was worked over so hard.

Once he was busted off though, the cod released its prize leaving Lee to wind up one very sore and sorry nanny!”

The other highlights for the day included a pair of double hook-ups one involving a pair of speedy golden trevally that made anglers hurt during a prolonged battle.

The other involved a very nice red emperor which came over the side first only to be followed by another golden trevally, proving that these bottom dwelling pelagics were well and truly on the chew.

Nannygai were a constant catch and ranged from just over legal to some serious specimens pushing the 7kg mark.  A pair of coral trout was also taken by Tony Block who was stoked with such top quality table fish.

Most fish were taken on fresh strip baits and squid; however Lee did take an early lead by using Gulp soft plastics jigged on a four ounce jighead.  His lead was quickly reeled in though, as a patch of sharks cleaned him out of jigheads and left him to man the camera.

Everyone onboard agreed that it was a very successful charter.  It’s always a great day if you have top folk, good weather and the fish are biting, but add when the weather has been as harsh as it has been, everyone, crew included really relishes the chance to get offshore.

Everyone on board Reefari agreed that it was a real eye-opener and it became a top talking point for what was a very successful boat charter.  It’s always a great day if you have top folk, good weather and the fish are biting, but add something special like that and you have a truly memorable Mackay fishing charter.

Check out all the great fishing charters we have available Boat Charter Rates.

Article written by Lee Brake

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Reefari Hardline Boat Charter 2009

After heaps and heaps of Planning, our Hardline Reefari 2009 has finally come around again, and it was once again with another keen group of Anglers uniting  from locally and all the southern cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Also Jason Kennedy and film crew from “Fishin trip” on behalf of Southern Cross TEN as well, we were off on another fishing adventure of a lifetime.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=O094kgCIhtU

With Centurion as our 80 foot Mothership, a 33 foot Cougar cat “Raptor” and 21 foot Centre Console, and three 15 foot dories, we had all bases covered and then some.  Expectations were high with vessel’s in tow, for 7 days and nights of awesome fishing and exploring the remote sections of the outer Great Barrier Reef, not for the faint hearted with distances of up to 200 kilometres offshore, and even on the edge of the continental shelf.

Fishing nirvana with Giant Trevally, Spanish Mackerel, reef fish, and heaps more on the agenda, the following is a brief account of this special trip.

Boats were fueled up, with enough diesel to keep a small country town powered, and OPEC very happy, it was an early afternoon start, with Raptor and centre console in tow, and we were off at a cruisy 8 knots, No speed records, but time and distance wins out with a cruise through the night to arrive at Bugatti Reef, nice and early.

GT heaven or is that fisherman’s heaven, probably both with a massive Coral lagoon with Kilometres and Kilometres of Reef, Bommies and great fishing.

The Weather was unbelievable with a week of light winds to 15 knots, with only one day with 20 knots winds at the end of the week, we were truly blessed, someone upstairs was smiling down on us.  Tenders and gameboats were dispatched, loaded up with an armament of tackle and off in pursuit of Fish.

Raptor II was off to Sharon Shoal, The guys from Fishin Trip chasing GT’s and the Dories assaulting the reef trip.

What a life, Some horse Red Throats were coming in thick and fast on the reefs and out on the wider shoals, and the film crew were getting a crash course in GT Fishing, definitely not for the faint hearted.   Losing more than they could land for the cameras, it was time to beef up the gear and tackle and swing things in there favour.

Life takes on another pace having a week out on the Great Barrier Reef with none of the stresses of the real world, Great food, Company and plenty of amber fluids, everybody quickly settled into the rythym of the trip.   Over the next week, we fished Whitetip Reef, Lipper Lagoon, Big and Little Bugatti Reef and numerous other unnamed and uncharted reefs, real adventure stuff, especially when we’re talking 200 kilometres offshore!!

Raptor II had a great week, trolling lures for Spanish Mackerel and Sharky Mackerel, Casting Poppers for Giant Trevally and bottom bashing with good quality Red throat on Tap, and Multiple hooks up on some quality fish.   One of the Highlights was a quality 4kg Barramundi Cod caught by yours Truly to make my day.

Decky Adam Shields, did the honours and in the diving gear, dived down and released the Barra Cod, as Baratrauma can be a real drama for these wonderful fish and successfully released.

Some real nice GT’s were caught by the film crew with some phemonemal footage and a great TV Show for Sure.  Check out Fishin Trip on Southern Cross on Sun 6th Dec, and Sun 13th Dec for some Phenomenal fishing action.  Numerous fish were caught and released with the best going 26kg’s.

Other Giant Trevally highlights were a  couple of 32kg monsters, one caught from the back of the Mothership “Centurion” by Adam, on a floating pilchard of all things, a battle royal with 80lb braid and the centre console was called into assist, check out the video on reefari youtube as Adam took off into the darkness to eventually return triumphant for the enjoyment of all watching, a heap of happy snaps and the GT was released to fight another day.

Another Monster GT was caught by Murray, trolling from the dories along the reef edge,  and of all things was caught on a Murray Cod lure after a 45 minute battle.  Not bad for his first reef trip. This great fish also went 32kgs and was a great introduction to the Great Barrier Reef for his Murray’s first time.

Cyclone Hamish’s damage to the outer reef was still evident with the reef badly damaged with coral littered on the ocean floor, plate and staghorn coral suffered badly and coral trout catches were well down.

Redthroat numbers were still good with Double Bag limits reached for all 20 anglers.

The last night was spent cruising into Scawfell Island for a bit of R&R, hard to believe I know, but a great way to wind down from a week out on the reef.  Bit of snorkelling and a nice afternoon cruise back to Mackay.

Bookings and expression of interest taken for next year and also putting together a 10 day charter to Princess Charlotte Bay, Bigger and Better, so make sure you get in early!! Contact Reefari for More Details here Charter Bookings

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