Tuesday, August 18, 2009

A Gold Coast Fishing Charter: A Great Day Out

By Kim Raymond

Hey, whose been to the Gold Coast in Australia? It's an absolute mecca for any serious international travel ling tourist. It's a place where man and nature meet. One of the best ways to experience the Gold Coast is to go on a Gold Coast fishing charter. So what do you get when you go on a Gold Coast fishing charter? Read on.

Before saying anything I want to hasten to say that Gold Coast fishing charter operators cater for the absolute novice when it comes to fishing whilst at the same time, they welcome the expert. Don't be trapped into thinking that you have to fish anyway. Most do but some don't. Those that don't fish have a wow of a time going on the ride, taking in the sights and all whilst being in the company of family or friends.

There are two basic types of Gold Coast fishing charters: calm water and offshore. Both have their attractions. For those who want a more gentle and sedate experience, you might choose the calm water option. For the thrill seeker type that wants it all, choose the offshore option.

Pricing for your off shore Gold Coast fishing charter, ranges from $85-$140 for a 5 hour trip and $140- $190 for a 9 hour trip. Like all products, you generally get what you pay for. There are different size boats on offer. The comfort level varies and the places that are accessed may be limited since some operators seek to cut fuel costs.

A common question is, what do we need to bring? Gold Coast fishing charters supply all the essentials for a fun day out which includes all the fishing equipment, bait, food and drinks. The equipment supplied is suitable for the style of fishing employed by the particular charter company chosen. If you want to bring your own equipment just speak to the crew beforehand who will advise you accordingly. There is one thing not provided for legal reasons, that is, motion sickness tablets. It is advisable to bring your own since they are a great insurance policy against the risk of sea sickness.

Most Gold Coast fishing charters operate out of the Broadwater, which is the large sheltered waterway at the northern end of the Gold Coast near Surfers Paradise. According to the weather conditions, time of year, style of fishing and length of the charter, boats will fish rocky reef areas ranging from 20-90 meters depth. Some will be constantly moving, drifting over the reefs, or anchor in one place.

When going on a Gold Coast fishing charter, the fish you can expect to catch include snapper, pearl perch, teraglin, cobia, spotted mackerel, tailor, amberjack and kingfish. It is not uncommon though to catch 10-12 different species on the same outing which include the more sporty fish like tuna, marlin and wahoo.

Gold Coast fishing charters are conducted all year round. However it should be borne in mind that the fishing conditions vary seasonally. Make sure that you choose a charter operator that provides an experience that matches the season. As a rough rule of thumb, target species are classified as being cold water or warm water. When the water is colder, this is the best time for bottom or reef fishing. During the warmer months, it is the opportune time to target the pelagic fish.

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