Okay, so beautiful beaches are probably the last place you’ll expect to land a marlin. Sure, some of us have heard of the infamous black marlin off the beach at Fraser Island’s Hervey Bay, but even I believed one will need to be super lucky to actually catch one in the shallows. That’s why I never really bought into it, that is, until I finally gave it a crack.
Planning a Hervey Bay Getaway
I’ve talked it over with Charles from Hervey Bay Sport Fishing so many times, asking him over and over if we can go. Still, despite my enthusiasm, I wasn’t really convinced that the pretty beach could offer much. I assumed maybe we’ll have to get there and be really super lucky or even head out offshore to catch a decent billy. I couldn’t quite picture feisty blacks off a pristine beach. So, when Charles finally gave the trip the green light, I couldn’t get there fast enough.
Casting Doubts
But Hervey Bay went beyond being pretty. It has a beautiful beach and incredible fishing for a myriad of other species such as tuna, Golden and Giant Trevally, trout, salmon, bream and flathead. But these seasoned targets were not what I was after. I needed to experience for myself the chance of hooking up to juvenile black marlin known to congregate on the flats.
Catching Black Marlin off the Beach
Catching blacks at Hervey Bay is not overly well known and you’ll need to have a bit of luck on your side if it’s a black marlin you’re after.
It’s also kind of incredible. For many of us, marlin are a trophy target generally found offshore. Hervey Bay would have to be the only place I’m aware of that offers up the opportunity to target juvenile blacks on the flats.
The juvie blacks are known to congregate in the area, typically between October to December so there’s a specific window of opportunity. Of course, it’s not always guaranteed, so you’d want to be flexible and jump as soon as the blacks appear.
The trip itself did not take that much preparation in terms of fishing gear. I used a pretty standard rod/reel spinning setup, which included my trusty Zenaq Fokeeto Twitch 7’3-3 rod, paired with Daiwa Saltiga 4000 and BKK hooks.
In terms of the excitement and feeling catching my first juvi marlin on the flats, I think it’s best depicted in the video you can view below. But if I summed it up in one word it was UNREAL!
Definitely an angler’s paradise
Hervey Bay needs no introduction not only among anglers, but also for the uninitiated as it packs the perfect place for a getaway.
But if you are a self-proclaimed fishing aficionado looking for calm water, then Hervey Bay is the best you could hope for. Plus it offers up a massive number of sport fishing options.
Fishing with Jonny Brooks
Fishing, both as a passion and a sport, has greatly evolved through the years. It’s super cool to just go get your food instead of going to the supermarket. I think there’s a certain pride in knowing that you are that person who rocked up with fish for dinner, hunter and gatherer style.
Catching the biggest fish possible remains the ultimate goal, though I think there’s still a lot to explore out there. It doesn’t matter where or how it happens, I think everyone loves things they’ve never seen before, as I was lucky to experience on this trip.
I was inducted into fishing at a young age, but that was the first black marlin I caught this close to a pristine beach. It was an incredible experience.
RELATED
Peace and Paradise – Vanuatu style
So, if you’re watching my videos, but you’re finding it extra challenging to muster your enthusiasm because you’ve never been fishing before, just get out there and cast a line. You never know what could happen. If you are lucky, you might even catch something.
– Jonny Brooks
Take on New Experiences
Whether you experience your first billfish, like I did, or try stuff that you’ve never tried before or get into weird crazy situations, like I often do, make sure you enjoy life. Think of each day as a new adventure, which is what I always try to capture in my videos every time.
I’m always seeking out new adventures and capturing the essence of my experiences in my videos. When you go beyond your usual comfort zone, it just takes the satisfaction up a notch!
Checkout Jonny’s Youtube Channel
Watch out for his next fishing adventure on his Youtube channel Brooksy or his Instagram @frothcafe2
