Cape York Barramundi Fishing as seen on Fishin' Trip with Jason Kennedy!

Trinity Sportfishing started in Port Douglas 22 years ago. The most often asked question was "so Bill, where do you go fishing for your holidays?"

The answer - "I go barramundi fishing at Cape York"

The second most asked question was "And what do you do at Cape York?" The answer - " I catch really big Cape York Barramundi and let them go again."

The good news is that everyone can enjoy what Bill has been enjoying for the past 17 years in Cape York.

Bill the legend, his old mate Steve a barra fishing nut, long time professional guide and ecologist and  chef, along with fellow local barra nut, bird expert (reef skipper) and guide of many years James, take up to 6 clients for the biannual prime time Cape York bush barra camps. So yep, we've all been doing this a long time, we catch fish and we love it!     

Cape York is one of the most pristine wilderness fishing destinations in Australia. A Cape York barramundi fishing safari is the ultimate fishing experience.

HOW WE CATCH REALLY BIG BARRAMUNDI

There are a few good ways to catch really big barramundi and we employ them all!

1. Casting lures and flies into snags. The best fun way to outsmart them. Sometimes shallow twitching, sometimes deep slow jigs, sometimes popping but always explosive adrenalin rushing action when they hit and jump or wind you around the snag

2. Trolling deep water snags and rock bars with deep divers, or trolling sub surface lures as the fish move out to feed is always very productive and easy for less experienced crew. Often this takes the bigger fish (and the angler unexpectedly)

3. Live Baiting. We catch local cherabin or large freshwater prawns. These are like lollies to big barramundi, irresistible. The action here is fast, close, furious and brutal as we are right on the snags. They also taste great when we barbecue them in the camp!

Remember, you don't have to be a professional fisherman… but it helps if you go barramundi fishing in Cape York with one!

THE STORY OF CAPE YORK

The rivers that run through Cape York, where we mostly run our Cape York Barramundi Fishing Safari, are are the Normanby, Bizant, Hann, Morehead, North and South Kennedy Rivers.
These rivers weave their way right through the Cape York  National Park until they empty into the magnificent Princess Charlotte Bay.
With these deep rivers reaching so far inland, and also being part of a National Park, they are protected from netting by professional fisherman. The rangers presence all year round also gives you peace of mind that no illegal fishing can be carried out, thus protecting this valuable resource and ensuring extremely good fish stocks now and for future generations of keen anglers that come to Cape York for Barramundi Fishing. We practice catch and release except for dinner fish.
Cape York Barramundi Fishing Safaris have permits to fish and camp in several areas of the Cape York park. Dependant on water levels and fishing action, we can make an informed decision on which part of the park we will fish at any given time of the year. Being a mobile fishing camp our flexibility gives us a distinct advantage.
In addition, fishing inland waterways means that we are not governed by the restraints of having to fish the tide. We can fish for Barramundi all day and all night right from our back doorstep, authentic bush camping and fishing at its best!
The parks environment will also expose you to a tremendous range of wildlife, including estuarine and freshwater crocodiles, pigs, eagles, parrots, jabiru, brolga, geese, wallaby, dingo, scrub bulls, goanna, a vast abundance of birdlife (including may rare species) and of course enormous Barramundi! The flora of the region is extremely diverse and unique to this area of Cape York. For bird watchers, naturalists and keen photographers it is indeed a slice of heaven. As we only fish in the freshwater regions, bugs are scarce.

CAPE YORK PRIME FISHING TIMES

The Run Off- Mid April to Mid June

Just after the wet season, the Barramundi fishing at Cape York is full on fantastic. The rivers are flowing and the small creeks are all draining. The big females feed like crazy. These mature fish have just made the long swim back up the rivers after spawning down in the coastal reaches of Princess Charlotte Bay. The younger males up to 80cm are there too in good numbers These fish are fat with rockets in their pants.
They are all aware that the "dry" is coming and soon the rivers will slow and maybe stop flowing. So these Barramundi eat everything they possibly can in order to lay enough fat on to get them through the lean cool winter months. And that is why the runoff fishing here in Cape York is so good!

The Build Up - Mid August to Mid November

After the winter months the barramundi in Cape York spring back to life as the water warms again. In order to put on condition for the long swim back down the rivers to the salt water to spawn they begin to feed heavily again. The rivers are down and the food fish and bait schools are concentrated, so snag and fly fishing is at its prime. This is when the really big female fish start coming out of their deep lies to patrol again. At this time of year we might get slightly fewer fish but the average size can much bigger.
This period referred to as the build up, and occurs right before the wet season. Once the rain starts the whole area becomes inacessable for 6 or 7 months.

OTHER INFORMATION

We pick up clients from Cairns early on day one and do the beautiful four wheel drive trip up to our bush camp through some magnificent Cape York country and scenery. We have the boats in the water ready for the first barra by mid afternoon.  With a full camp we fish with only 2 clients per guide per boat so the fishing is personal, fun and exiting.

Our remote bush camps are set in shady pristine riverine forest, extremely comfortable with gazebo, camp kitchen, stretcher and matrass beds in full height tents, hot and cold running water, 240V power, a view to die for right on the river (up from the crocs!) and suits all ages. Steve the chef provides a great array of delicious meals and snacks including lots of fresh fruit and veggies. The morning bird chorus is to be heard!

Included in the trips are all meals, soft and alcoholic drinks (as long as the drinks come in a can). We can take limited bottles so if you have any special needs, please call or include this information when you book. We have all the best fishing gear, lures and equipment that you need but if you have your old favourites please bring them.

We have been doing this a long time, love it  and are really happy to teach you what we know about catching big barra, the local area, birds and animals, and to just have a yarn, a laugh an a good time.

  Essentially, we supply everything but ask you to bring:

• A soft bag with enough clothes for 7 days (shorts, long sleeved shirts, T shirts)

• Sandals or thongs

• One pair of long pants (jeans or tracksuits) for night time

• A windcheater or jumper (after May and before October) and one pair of good camping footwear

• A wide brimmed hat and sunscreen. We have bug spray that we rarely need.

• A pair of sunglasses (polaroids are highly recommended), camera and head torch.

• A towel and personal toiletries

• A sense of humour (we like a laugh)

Bookings must be made well in advance, as we can only facilitate a maximum of 60 people per year. Groups must consist of at least 2 people but no more than 6 at any one time.

ALL PRICES ARE GST INCLUSIVE WITH NO HIDDEN EXTRAS

OUTBACK 4WD FISHING CAMPING SAFARI
$3,500 EX CAIRNS

COMMENCING MAY 6th 2012
.

FLY IN FLY OUT FISHING CAMPING SAFARI
$4,500 EX CAIRNS
(MIN. 4 PEOPLE TO BOOK)

COMMENCING MAY 6th 2012

WINTER GULF 4WD FISHING SAFARI
OUTBACK CATTLE STATION
$4500 EX CAIRNS

COMMENCING JUNE 10th  2012