BIG THINGS EXPECTED FOR MARLIN SEASON

IT is a few months off but all signs are that it is OK to start getting excited about a good Gold Coast marlin season.

The juvenile black marlin that create such excitement for fisherman over the Christmas/New Year period are currently off Cairns slowly heading south and the news is there have been lots of them.

A mate of mine, Ross Fin- layson, got eight last week and better days are coming.

Before they arrive on the Gold Coast there is usually a month or two where they hover around Fraser Island.

It is not uncommon to hear of boats having days scoring 10 or more marlin off the island or, as was the case a few years ago, off the beach itself.

Anglers have become increasingly more attracted to sight-casting fly lures to the small blacks off the pristine water from the Fraser Coast.

If that sounds like fun to you, the good news is it’s only about a four-hour drive away.

If not hang tight and they’ll eventually arrive here on the Gold Coast.

There is a bit we can do now in preparation for the season ahead.

Get your lures sorted and hooks sharpened and start marking off the days in the calendar – all indications are we are in for a good season.

This jewie was caught onboard Lucky Strike Charters earlier this week off Jumpinpin bar on a live bait. Luke Williams scored an 89cm snapper fishing the 18 fathom reef with Fish the Deep charters. Jim Taylor visits the Gold Coast yearly from Melbourne...

Ross Finlayson’s small black marlin caught off Cairns.