Aussie Rules – Story and Photography by Gary Caputi

CHASING BLACK MARLIN IN A NEW MARITIMO 550 IS A THRILL OF A LIFETIME

From Lizard Island south to Cairns and just a short distance offshore from where the Coral Sea throws itself relentlessly against Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, sea creatures of mythic proportions reside for a few months each year. Massive animals, graceful in form with incredible strength, that in turn entice a select group of fishermen from around the globe to converge here. In these fabled waters, home to the largest black marlin from late October through December, is a fairytale ecosystem most anglers will only dream  about, the largest coral reef in the world- 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching 1,600 miles, composed entirely of living organisms, inhabited by exotic fishes and colorful marine life.

Cairns, pronounced “cans” by locals, is the northernmost city in Queensland, the main access to the Reef and thus the epicenter of the big game fishing world in those months when gladiators in multimillion dollar sportfishing vessels take up residence with a common purpose: to do battle with a grander, or a marlin over 1,000 pounds.