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Tours > Mothership Tours > Topwater Trips > Ribbon/Jewel Reefs

Topwater Trips

Ribbon/Jewel Reefs

The infamous Ribbon Reefs – there is not much else we can say about this truly amazing part of the Great Barrier Reef which spans across the northern cape york peninsular.

WATCH TOUR VIDEO

Group Size

9 max

Time To Go

Aug-Dec

Vessels

Mothership + Sportsfishers

Accommodation

Mothership

Tour Overview

As we fish our way up the ribbon reefs towards Lizard island. You can expect to catch large numbers of GT’s, Yellowfin tuna, spannish mackeral, coral trout, red bass and a large number of different reef species. There are ten reefs that make up the Ribbon reefs – number 1 starts in the south and number ten which is the largest of the reefs (around 30km long) to the north.

The exciting part of this trip is that you have the luxury of travelling around 150 nautical miles as you fish your way north towards the iconic Lizard Island. This really gives you the best possible chance at finding the best location for that week where the fish are most active. Travel trips are also a great way to see more of the reef during your stay with us which most of the other trips options dont have that Luxury.

Tour Details

Accommodation is aboard 80ft MV Savannah, all fishing is conducted from our fleet of Center Consoles. We will be fishing 3 anglers per boat and each boat is led by an experienced local guide who will guide you to fish properly, work on technique and making sure your experience with us is one to remember. The boats are 1x 32ft Custom built center console and 2 x 21ft Custom built center consoles, each vessel has been carefully planned and purposely built to a standard that is specifically designed around topwater casting.

Fly into Cairns and make your way to the private shuttle service centre at the domestic arrivals terminal at carousel 4. You will meet with the rest of the group here and travel north at 10:30am for approx 1 hour to the Port Douglas Super Yacht Marina. Once you arrive we will get you settled onboard and conduct a safety brief and go over the plan for your trip. We will depart at midday and travel overnight out to the reef. Enjoy the afternoon and evening with a cold beverage while rigging up and getting yourself organized for the following day.

During the fishing days, we will plan to have you out the door and on your way after breakfast which is at 7am. Usually we take packed lunches and intend to stay out all day. Arrangements can be made to return to the mothership for lunch, but this needs to be pre-arranged the day before, so we can plan for this in our fishing schedule. We have an amazing chef onboard with us. He will prepare breakfast each morning before heading out on the water. Each night you will enjoy canapes on the back deck before dinner.

The area we will be fishing is quite extensive so there is plenty of ground to choose from in your week aboard with us.

Inclusions

  • Professional and Experienced Fishing Guide
  • Accommodation on board the Luxury MV Savannah
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Canapes
  • Beer
  • Fishing Licences and Permits
  • 2 x 21ft Centre Consoles
  • 1 x 32ft Centre Console

Ribbon/Jewel Reefs Species

Wahoo

Istiophorus

50kg+

Power
Speed


 

Coral Trout

Plectropomus Leopardus

20kg+

Power
Speed


 

Sail Fish

Istiophorus

50kg+

Power
Speed


 

Giant Trevally

Caranx ignoblis

65kg+

Power
Speed


 

Dogtooth Tuna

Gymnosarda unicolor

100kg+

Power
Speed


 

Spanish Mackerel

Scomberomorus commerson

40kg+

Power
Speed


 

Black Marlin

Istiompax indica

1000 pounds+

Power
Speed


 

Our Fleet

Sportsfishers

Our range of custom center console Sportfishing weapons will get you where you need to go. Reaching speeds of up to 60 knots, our vessels gets you out to the grounds in comfort and style. Our boats have been custom built for our operation and we have made sure that we have paid attention to the fishability of the boats to maximize your experience with us on the water.
TOUR THE SPORTSFISHERS

Mothership

The Mothership we are currently using is 80ft MV Savannah. Savannah was designed and constructed in New Zealand with long range cruising in mind. She crossed the Tasman in 2012 and after completing a full refit in July 2014 she now calls the Great Barrier Reef home.

This luxury expedition style vessel has a 40,000 litre fuel capacity providing a 10,000 nm range, Savannah will allow you to travel to new destinations each day and will take you to the furtherest most remote reefs that very few have fished.

TOUR THE MV SAVANNAH

Itinery

Day 1

Fly into Lizard Island and board the Mothership

Day 2-8

Fish all day

Day 9

Fly back to Cairns from Lochart River

Each day you’ll depart our mothership MV Savannah around 7.30 and head out with a packed lunch for the day. You’ll spend most of the day if you wish, out fishing on the sportfishing boats or you can return to the mothership for lunch and enjoy a more relaxed lunch and head out again after lunch. We aim to return each day by 4:30pm. Our amazing chef will prepare a hot breakfast each morning before heading out on the water each day and each night you will enjoy a 3-course dinner.

Rod & Reel Hire Available

Rod and Reel Hire Available
  • Shimano Saragosa 6k
  • Accommodation on board the Luxury MV Savannah
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Canapes
  • Beer
  • Fishing Licences and Permits
  • 2 x 21ft Centre Consoles
  • 1 x 32ft Centre Console
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What Customers Say

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Have experienced 2 Offshore sport fishing trips this year with Nick at East Coast Angling, 5 days out of Cooktown and 5 days out of Port Douglas. East Coast Angling is a professionally run organisation with excellent equipment and along with the experience and knowledge of Nick we were put onto some large fish in some very difficult conditions. I have no hesitation in recommending East Coast Angling to anyone who enjoys the challenge of offshore sport fishing for large species of fish that inhabit the reefs of FNQ.
Brian Lay
I can't recommend East Coast Angling enough for the service professionalism knowledge and courtesy with my two young boys we had the best day ever and caught so many different fish including a shark we will be sure set to another charter when we return one day in the near future thanks so much.
John Brimacombe
Honestly cannot recommend the East Coast Angling guys enough! Karl was an absolute legend! He may look like he has no hairs on his chest but he has been fishing the reef since he was 18. His experience, knowledge and most importantly patience was second to none! Constantly encouraging us to keep slogging away and targeting important areas for the bangers! For me personally I ticked off a huge chinaman however not the GT I was after! I will be back! Thank you so much again Karl for the day! Your a true professional mate!
Jacob Every
Another amazing trip with East Coast Angling, these guys really go out of their way to make sure you are happy on and off the water. We did the Port Douglas Offshore charter and what a great location to visit and call home for a week of fishing. The accommodation and night life in Port Douglas is great with plenty of nice restaurants and bars to enjoy. The charter the guys at East Coast Angling run is one to be experienced, the boat Scutes, a 32 foot centre console is a beast and fishing from its platform all day is something every fisho should enjoy. Backing up the beautiful boat is Nick's Knowledge and experience of the reefs, he and his team will go to all lengths to try and put you on the fish, time and time again. If you looking for an operation that care about their clients and provide a first class service, look no further then Nick and Megan at East Coast Angling. You will not be disappointed.
Robbie Kirkwood
The crew at East Coast Angling went over and above to make sure everyone in our group was catered for. The boat is immaculate and crew were very knowledgeable on the area to maximise our opportunities on quality fish.
Nick Ham Smith
Had an epic day fishing with Nick at East Coast Angling! He put us on the fish and we were able to land 7 different species. The popper action was unbelievable and something we rarely see back home in San Diego. Thanks Nick for the amazing experience!
Sam Catch
Great week with professional and knowledge crew, the boat and equipment is outstanding. Caught some excellent fish and will be back for sure.
Simon Koawalinski
Nick took my son and I out. Such a great guide and experience on GBR is amazing. Did some popping and reef bashing. Smile on son's face pulling in some great species worth every cent.
Anthony Kravanski
I can't recommend ECA highly enough. Great service from Megan when booking your trip and Nick is easily one of the best fishing guides on the GBR. Do yourself a favour and experience some world class top water action with ECA.
Paul Finlay
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