When is the best time to fish in Australia?

[Reveille75]

My hard fishing wife has two free, round trip tickets to anywhere and bless her heart, she wants to go to Australia. We want to fish for black marlin and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. We have to use the certificates before the end of 07 but the tickets can be for an 08 trip. If somebody has some personal knowledge about time of year and who to fish and snorkel with and where to stay, I'd appreciate hearing from you. This will be a great trip for the two of us and I want to get it right.
David

[costaricasportfishing]

NOW!!! Go RIGHT NOW!!! You lucky bastard!!

[Caveman Sportfishing]

Now is when he was there last year and it was awesome. He caught the largest Black Marlin in the world last year at 1290 lbs. They releashed a few over 1400 lbs also. His girlfreind came down for a while last winter and got one over 500 lbs herself. They used rigged baits somewhere around 25 lbs for the big marlin I think he told me.

[Reveille75]

Caveman:
It sounds like your mate was were I need to be. Can I reach him by e-mail? I need some particulars to get the ball rolling.
David

[frankypettolina]

Look up Capt. Ross on the top shot. I think is website is www.cairnsmarlinfishing.com or something like that. If you search for Sea baby IV (that is his old boat) it will get you to his website. I just fished with him, and he does an excellent job. Oct, Nov, and Dec are the months to be there.

He does live aboard charters (which may not be up your wife's alley, living on the reef with 4 guys) or can make arrangements for a mothership (which is very pricey I have been told). Conditions permitting he can set you up for snorkeling and what have you.

Be ready for some long travel time, but well worth it.

[Reveille75]

I appreciate the lead and I am on it! Thanks

[Jared D]

Damn, great wife you have there! Around these parts, women cost ya money, not get you trips to OZ!

[reel fool]

try www.cpgfa.asn.au
this is the website for Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association.
there are also other excellent charters not listed here. send me a bmail that you want more info & I will forward you some more info.
Like Franky said, Sep-Dec is the time for giant blacks on the reef. Don't discount Sep just because this year it was slow in Sep. some years, its the best month. you should be able to arrange some snorkel time on each morning of your fishing charter. the better marlin action doesn't start until later anyways.