LAST week iconic Australian actor Peter Phelps and I were spoilt by the locals while taking in the sights and sounds of Cairns, but it was now time to hit the water for the main event.
We had a big day ahead of us; you see Peter was helping me host the “Go Fish For Sick Kids” Charity Tournament that is raising funds for a children’s playground on the rooftop of the Cairns Base Hospital.
After a 5am start and the usual radio and press interviews we finally boarded Genie a 56-foot Riviera that looked more like something out of Miami Vice than a fishing boat.
The sail past was grand as seven big boats powered away from the marina, all pointing into calm seas and each one helping to raise over $1500 for the playground.
After several very unlucky cancellations earlier in the year thanks to strong winds, we were stoked this event was finally happening.
Some 45 minutes later we slowed off the plane wide off Thetford Reef and a spread of Rapala X Rap lures and skipping garfish hit the water.
Not long after one of the lures went off and Peter got busy reeling in a nice shark mackerel of around 75cm long that shined a brilliant emerald green when fresh from the water.
He was pretty proud of himself, as most newcomers to this scene are with a ‘sharky’… the pressure was already off but I had a strong suspicion there was even better fish to come.
It is amazing what a sunlight and calm seas can do for the backdrop, and after the last trip when the weather was bad I nearly had to pinch myself - this was the same place but bright coral and heavenly blue waters surrounded me rather than dull shades of grey.
Peter caught a few more shark mackerel and a mack tuna and was suitably impressed…we were getting there.
With a few runs on the board our skipper Troy Dallaman and boat owner Paul Barry decided to point Genie towards some bigger fish.
It was also time to give Paul’s better half Regina the next strike, which worried me…she was a lady, and they always have lots of luck…but to double her luck she was Irish…how could the boys compete?
Sure enough the next bite was a ‘big un’ and line peeled off the reel at an exciting pace.
Regina worked up a sweat on what turned out to be a stunning Spanish mackerel; a prize table fish and a great effort for the ladies...
Peter’s competitive side was out now, he wanted one, and was hell bent on manning the rods until the next one came our way.
Now I don’t normally equate calm sunny mid day weather to good mackerel fishing, but since the reduction in commercial mackerel fishing in Queensland was implemented a few years ago, they have made a big comeback.
And the proof was all around us: Peter soon hooked and fought two ripper Spaniards, not quite as big as Regina’s, but still stunning fish.
The boys had saved face and this was one happy ship for all aboard.
Quite a few other anglers fishing both near and far caught their first big Spanish, something they will long remember, and I was rapt to be able to host the weigh in later that evening.
The fireworks that topped off the Cairns festival in the back drop were a fluke, but the organisers and I happily took credit for them.
It is always good to see that fishing helps brings people of all walks of life together in wonderful environment that just seems so natural.
There were all sorts of great stories from the sea; one lovely lady who lost her husband earlier this year caught a ripper mackerel, it was the first day she had got out and enjoyed herself since losing her soul mate of some 40 years.
I would be speaking on behalf of many when I say that I was rapt that Peter could loan us his time and help see that absolutely everyone had an especially good time. Thanks again champ.
Likewise we were all glad to be able to show him a more typical day in this stunning part of the world.
See you on the water.
Rob Paxevanos
fishingaustralia.tv
• Special thanks to Rob Weeden and Staff at Shangri La, Tourism Queensland, Qantas, Paul Barry and family, Trinity Auto Group, the Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association, BCF in Cairns and the organising committee of the Go Fish for Sick Kids Charity Tournament.
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