FISHING

Fishing in the Whitsundays can mean drifting along islands waiting to hook a coral trout or sweetlip; or it may mean trolling the deeper waters for the Molle Channel for big mackerel, queenfish and trevally, or rod fishing from rocks along the mainland shore.

The Whitsundays are perhaps most renowned for game fishing. It is Australia’s prime bill-fishing area, and during the spring and summer months game fishermen come from around the world in hopes of catching a record sailfish, or perhaps a black marlin or bluefin tuna. Over the years many light-tackle records have fallen in the Whitsundays. Amateur anglers do not require a fishing licence in Queensland, although it is unlawful to sell fish without a permit. Before dropping a line in the Whitsunday waters however, anglers must be aware of the marine park zones and the limits on fishing in some of these.