Black Marlin fishing north of Cairns reputedly is the best in the world. Skipper Dan McCarthy of Big Fish Down Under has many years of tales to tell about catching marlin and what an amazing experience it is to hook up a 900 pound fighting fish.

A man in sunglasses stands next to a large Black Marlin displayed on a boat, with a sign showing the catch date and location.
Lee Marvin with his trophy Marlin in
1980 at Cairns wharf. These days the
fish are caught and released.

Over the years some big names have visited Cairns to catch Marlin, from local amateurs to top sportsmen and movie stars such as Lee Marvin in the 70’s and 80’s who visited Cairns for a number of years.

The Marlin season typically begins in September and closes at Christmas time. Big Fish Down Under guide Dan McCarthy said he fishes outside the Great Barrier Reef based at Lizard Island in the Coral Sea where the big fish run.

Dan can be contacted at www.bigfishdownunder.com and he is posting a series of videos on Youtube about big game fishing which will be available soon.