Ash (Suzie Q) and I went on an extended charter with Arafura for 4 days and 4 nights. It was on a new 52 foot boat which accommodated 12 people in aircon comfort. It also had hot/cold water shower as well.

Armed with 2 rods , 2 cases of XXXX and 2 bottle of red each we kicked off on Monday night and headed for the deep waters wide of Blaze. We got there around 3am.

We got up around 6am and started fishing. We got a dozen goldies on first drop and the skipper decided to move wide to look for some reds while the tides were still neaps.

Around lunchtime we were in about 60m and lines went down. It we got a couple of trickies and afew baby reds. Then the sharks turn up in force. We hooked 3-4 over the 3m mark which forced us to move. Another 3-4 hours cruising we drop again only to find more big sharks. Once again we moved another couple of hours to another spot. We did manage a couple keeper reds, nannygai and a nice trout before the sharks moved in again.

The next day we made a big moved for the perrons. It took about 6 hours to get there picking up some mackies on the troll. we arrive at the turn of the tide so the jewie we next on the list. The sounder was alive with arches so we got straight into them and got 12 before the skipper decided to move further south. We got there around dinner time so we had about hour fishing. The goldies were proven hard to find so we had to settle for some trickies.

The next morning the skipper decides to head back to the jewie hole so the 4 people who didn’t get one the day before can have another crack. The jewie weren’t there in numbers so we only got a couple. I hooked a ripper and handed the rod to Ash. It measured in at in at 136cm and the biggest for the trip. Once again the skipper made another 5 hour move to Blaze. We managed to get half a dozen big macks with a couple going 140-150 mark.

We got into Blaze around dinner time and did about an hour bottom bashing. The highlight was a couple of nice cods. We also pick up couple dozen squid of the back.

The final morning we head to the skipper favourite snapper ground. We had about an hour before we had to start heading for home. It was on as soon as the baits hit the bottom. We got about 20 on this drop which was the best drop of the whole trip. I hooked the best goldie coming in around 75cm.

We headed for home and arrive in Darwin around 3 pm.

It was a great experience to go on something like this. Justin (skipper) and Beth ( deckie) were both very professional . They both impose strict bag limit on jewie, mickies to roughly 1 per person and 5 goldies per person. We did manage 15 jewies, 12-13 mackies , 40 goldies and other reefies for the trip.

This was our first charter so we didn’t know if this was a coming practise. It seemed we were only fishing 30% and cruising for 70% of the time. The moves the skipper was doing was hours away every time.

This was the only downside of the whole trip. I understand the captain got to protect his marks from over fishing and fish caught in deep water are affected by barra trauma.
We could have easily moved in closer to practise some catch and release once bag limits have been met. Most of the southerner who paid big coin to come up for this trip would have been happy to pick up flags and trickies.

Although it was a 4 day/4night trip most people on board felt they did not get a lot of time to fish.

Apart from that I had a great time and would highly recommend Arafura Bluewater charters.

Got a few fish though yeah traveling in big boats is always a drama though take a while to travel any distance to move spots !

Great going, sum really nice fish

Be interested to hear other peoples thoughts on all the traveling side things, maybe they enjoyed driving there new boat to much

great post, cracker jewies mate

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Some sweet fish there Balou. Those jewies look the biz that's for sure. At least you had plenty of time to drink your beer with all the moving.

Nice post Balou


Top Mackies and Jews

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Nice post Balou

Some thumping Jewies there

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Its exactly the opposite mate. They hate burning fuel and the only way to presserve enough to go these distances that they do is to do it slowly. Generally they cruise on 6 to 10knotts so they dont blow there fuel budget in the first day. If they opened the throttles they can be there in half the time but not go any where near as far or long (fishing from tinnies give a false impression of distance because you can go flat out and cover distance quickly hence more fishing time ). It is frustrating as fishing time is limited (even for crew as it gets boring) but usually you get more then enough good eating fish to make up for the slow periods inbetween. Its one of those things. Do the miles to get the smiles or stay close and fish for long periods of nothing.

On top of this a lot of fish were caught. The problem with charters is that the number of fish between people doesnt seem like a lot due to this amount being divided between 10 people instead of two or three in a tinnie. The charter is still only one boat catching what is available on the reefs. Once enough is caught catch and release is pretty well killing fish off the reef. Reef species dont do that well at all. I know nobody wants to leave a hot bite (Me as much as any one) but sometimes it has to be done or we wouldnt be able to catch a fish at all in the future. : Its all a catch 22. Damed if ya do and dammed if you dont. At the end of the day if you have a good time with the people on board and get a few fish that should be what counts.

Oh and nice post Balou. Some good fish mate.

Pretty good fish there mate

CS that sounds like the biggest mob of rubbish I have heard in a long time. They are paying big money to steam around at 6 to 10 knots, if true, try another company, that is a cop out. When this post was openning up I sort of expected some charter boat boys club warm and fuzzy love to be happening and sure enough.... where is ghound when I need him.

By the way nice post balou, enjoy the seats

great post mate, I love the pics

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BALOU you forgot to mention it was 2cartons and 2 bottles EACH. Also thanks for posting the shot of the HUGE GUT on one of the fishos hooked up to a jewie. Was a great trip/experience and we should be saving for our next one to the timor box as you will encounter many different species and most of them for the first time as you dont catch them in local waters.
Great idea of yours and agree with everything you said. Bringing your own/favourite rod is wise although the gear supplied was fine and good quality outfits. The only thing missing was a barra buy it is a BLUEWATER trip so no complaints. Great food, Comfy aircon beds, TV, COLD BEER and great people. Highly recommended for the experience and COMFORT.

WELL DONE VESTITE.

some good fish there Balou!! well done, good sized Jew and Macks.

When was the trip?? Neaps or Springs?

Looks like everyone had a ball and got their share and a good feed to take home anyway, well done!

some great pics