We are now accepting bookings for the 2012 season.

The skipper is off to the USA - says he's only looking at boats - yeah right!

The early part of the season sees action on some of the blue water pelagics.

If time is an issue the fast, turbo-prop Cessna Caravan will get you to the Redneck Riviera in just over 30 mins from Hamilton Island airport.

Check out our new R.I.B.

 

There is lots to write about in this report so lets get right into it . . . .

Our refit for the 2012 season is almost complete - we will be back in the water next week ready for the Summer Season. Keep an eye out for new crew member Taia Campbell - last seen swimming laps in the marina on a hot day. We are gearing up for a new instructional video which will be edited over the Summer break.

Beautiful Bugatti Lagoon - our base for the Redneck Riviera

As our regular clients know we fish the area we call the "Redneck Riviera".  This is the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef on the very edge of the Coral Sea.  We start at Bugatti Reef and work out from there.  Some of our regular spots include White Tip and Little Bugatti Reefs as well as Pikes Corner and other very remote locations.

Other charter operators advertise "special" trips to the area where we fish every trip.  Remember we are fishing over 200 km off the coast.  Other charter companies advertise they are taking you on a special "gamefishing safari" to Bugatti Reef.  For our clients this is just the beginning - where we start!  Our clients fish there all year round - and have a ball.

 

Cruising at over 250 km/h the big turbo prop Cessna Caravan will have you at the Redneck Riviera just over 30 mins after takeoff from Hamilton Island.  And it is big.  You can fly out for as little as $300 per passenger.

The big float plane can carry all your passengers and all your luggage with ease.

You will land on beautiful Bugatti Lagoon (pictured above).  This is our "headquarters" for the Redneck Riviera; and we know how to fish this area better than anyone.

All the reef species are there with lots of great night fishing adventures.  Everything from Sharks to huge Spangled Emperor plus Red Emperor and Red Throat are all part of the action in the beautiful big lagoons on the edge of the Coral Sea. And our anchorages are bullet proof - peaceful and calm.

And if you want to chance your arm on some of the biggest GTs on earth, we know where to find them.  Last year Ray Balks released this monster 44 kg GT - at night and on 15 kg line. 

 

And don't forget our fantastic record of Spanish Mackerel catches.  Clive Leeds' 34 kg monster mackerel was landed on the same trip (again on 15 kg tackle) and where else - the Redneck Riviera!

Our 2012 bookings are filling steadily supporting the theory that the tough times are behind us.  Some of our corporate clients feel that in tough times it is even more important to reward high value clients; and we agree . . . .  so here's the deal -

A free pocket tee for each of your guests!

As an added promotional incentive for 2012 we will continue our offer of a Black Samurai pocket tee for each of your guests - free!!  Plus a Black Samurai Trophy for the best fish of the trip.  Great artwork and great quality tees.

Tee shirt back features a colourful collage of gamefish

We are now accepting bookings for 2012.  March is already fully booked and there are just two weekends left in April. Some of the other months are also filling so if you want the best moon/tides it pays to get in quick.  

Depending on your priorities we can advise the best moon phase for what you prefer.  For instance if you would like to chase big Spanish as well as reef fish the big tides leading up to Full & New Moon may be best.  We have bookings available in April, June and September and just one weekend in August. October to mid November we are planning to be fishing the marlin season out of Cairns/Lizard Island.  Black Marlin Charters are minimum 5 days - contact us for details.

A few nice Spaniards are still being caught.  The Spanish Mackerel season is late this year and we scored some great sport last trip. One quad hook-up included 3 Spaniards plus a nice Yellowfin Tuna.  They are in spawning condition and fighting hard.  We have been using mostly big fresh gar.

Alex Goldston and his mates Tom Dreghorn and Ryan Anderson bagged these beauties.

As usual at this time of year we have been also catching our share of Wahoo.  These spectacular speedsters are great fun with the secret being high speed trolling at around 16 - 18 knots.  But beware - to troll at these speeds the only reel with a drag system smooth enough to do it is the Shimano Tiagra.  Our Shimano 50W's and custom rods are perfect for the job.  They are rigged with Dacron backing and mono topshots plus our own handmade wind-on leaders.

In the last month we have seen lots of "free jumping"  Sails out at the Redneck Riviera pointing to a good season this coming year.

We have just taken delivery of our new R.I.B.  We have upgraded to a brand new Southern Pacific 340. She is in Survey as a PFD and is faster and more roomy than the 310 which gave us great service. The new 340 is a huge rubber duck with extra carrying capacity for commercial work.

Payload is a massive 620 kg (1,340 lbs). 

Look out for the new Jimmy Buffet boxed CD collection - Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads. A fantastic collection of some of his best music which never dates with us boaties. Includes a Parrothead Handbook! for those that are still learning the magic of Margaritaville.

^{For the latest news from Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville simply click here: http://www.margaritaville.com}