Travelling South and all is well - Welcome to Townsville

It was a rough ride for Ben and Troy out of Cairns yesterday. They punched their way down in strong seas but they took it steady and both them and Wild Turkey travelled well. Dunk Island was the anchorage last night before being up early this morning and moving south. All going to plan they should be into Townsville area late this afternoon, where they may sit off Palm Island and head in tomorrow morning to Townsville.

UPDATE: Wild Turkey and crew arrived safely into the port of Townsville at about 4pm this afternoon. They had a great run today and the seas had calmed down a little for them. With Townsville being Bens home town and fishing grounds we are sure that they are going to have a great time there. Good luck Ben & Troy - Go Wild Turkey !

Charter Availability

For those interested - Wild Turkey has got the following dates and events available for Charter

• 8 - 10th September Inclusive Townsville to Cairns - Skad fishing Was $1650 per day NOW $1500 per day
• 13th - 16th September AVAILABLE
• 17th or 18th September Share Charter from Yorkeys Light Tackle $375 per person Max 5
• 19th - 20th September AVAILABLE

Welcome on aboard "Captain Ben" and "Troy" his crew - TOWNSVILLE HERE WE COME

This morning all packed up and ready to go, Ben took control of Wild Turkey heading south to the Townsville Billfish Challenge - GO WILD TURKEY ! He is planning on taking it steady with 2 days travel to get there.

Ben has just finished the long season Barra fishing in Weipa and is looking forward to catching record numbers of game fish - preferrably Black Marlin aboard Wild Turkey for us.

He has with him a different Troy as his crew for the light tackle - but he will be joined by Bruce for the heavy tackle sector.

We also have Troy the Skipper available to help out if needed still.

Ben will keep me informed and we will be updating this site as the 5 day Tournament progresses.

Preparing for the journey south to Townsville

After all the excitement of the past week or so we are now in preparation mode to welcome Ben on board and for him to head south for the Townsville tournament this week- end.

Wild Turkey is looking at taking 2 days to travel to Townville and leaving either tomorrow or Wednesday all goingto plan.

Day 2 ~ Norship Light Tackle Slam

The plan of attack today for the Wild Turkey team is to head out early and be on the wide grounds for the start of fishing at 8am. So with a 2 hour run - the departure was 6am! and with the party atmosphere at the club last night there are sure to be a few sore heads this morning.

What a great day of fishing. Wild Turkey had 2 great strikes by Marlin today - 1 was about 400 pound and the other was about 250 pound. This one was wheeled in just metres from the Tag Pole before it took off with some great jumps on display.

Everyone on board had a great 2 days even though Wild Turkey was not the winning team. Well Done .

I need to get final results but off hand

• Glen Simpson - Allure - Champion Angler, Champion boat over 7.5mt
• Dillion Simpson - Allure - Runner up Champion angler
• White Pointer Champion angler and boat under 7.5 mt

It was a great tournamnet and we look forward to it happening again next year.

Day 1 ~ Norship Light Tackle Slam 2006

There has been a buzz around the Yorkey's Knob Marina for the past few days but this morning the excitement was in the fresh crisp air. The Norship Slam was about to take place.

This is the first time this tournament has been run by our Marina and with a record 60ish boats there is plenty to be excited about. Boats ranging in different size and skill but all willing to get out there in support of the club but most of all to enjoy the fun of FISHING !

We are one of the corporate boats for the club with the
Norship Team on board. All the boats left the marina and what a fantastic sight it was to be seen.


They were all of the coast waiting in the waters for the shot gun start and the orange flare to enter the skies - then with the dulled sounds of the engines roaring, the wash from the propellors and the race began to find the best fishing spot for the day. Boats headed in all directions - and thankfully the seas are being kind.



UPDATE as at 3.20pm By Fishing Master ~ John Sutton

60 Boats confirmed only 1 boat has withdrawn
Very Good conditions for fishing

10 Billfish have been tagged

Numerous game fish

White Pointer in the lead with 1st Marlin of the day and another both on 6kg

UPDATE as at 5pm End of Fishing

• Heaviest Mackerel 21kg ~ Reel Nice
• Heaviest Tuna 13kg ~ Ms Kazue
• 12 Marlins Tagged
• Allure x 2 ~ Well Done Biggs, Sanity x 2, White Pointer x2,
• Bite Me x 1 ~ Well Done Troy(he has been running Wild Turkey for us), Heartbeat x 1, Fish Finger x 1, Pirate x 1, Tag Team x 1 & WILD TURKEY x 1 about 80 pounds on 6kg line at lunch time ~ Well Done Greg & the team.

Out on Charter - Marlin on but not upto date on the details yet

Tag flag was up on my trip to see Wild Turkey this afternoon

Black Marlin about 80 pounds will find out the details over the next days - we were a little busy getting things sorted for the big tournament tomorrow - Norship Slam - but well done anglers.

Day 3 - Final Fishing Day

10 knots - Lyndon Bank & Spur

Unfortunately there was no Marlin Flag to be seen - however the group of 5 had a great last day.

The catch today included:

• 5 Mackerel
• 1 Dolphin Fish
• 3 Mac Tunas
• 2 Yucky Barracutta

Theses guys are here to be fishing and we have suggested they be part of the clubs 2 day tournament that is this Saturday and Sunday since they have their own trailer boat here - luckily the club has let them be one of the very last boats to enter.

So good luck to you Paul, Damian, John, Tom and Gary. We have enjoyed having you all on board and look forward to your stories and pictures being added onto these posts. We are also looking forward to your return next season on your pilgrimage north.

Day 2 ~ Struck by Marlin Fever

LIKE A LAKE - Troy Dallman ~ Skipper Pixie Reef

The best thing at the end of the day when waiting for Wild Turkey, her crew and the anglers to return is to see her round the rock wall and turn into the marina itself with the MARLIN TAG FLAG flying proudly on the outriggers.

Today there it was ! ! So what a GREAT day - Mind you the 4 anglers who didnt catch this wonderful creature were more excited about the story than the lucky angler himself.

Catch of the day today included

• 4 Mackerel
• 1 Red Emperor
• 1 Bat Fish
• Loads of little fish
• 1 fantastic Black Marlin about 60 pounds

We cant wait to see the pictures and hear the stories as well. Well done Paul what a great teams you have on board - lets see what tomorrow brings.

Out on a 3 day Charter - ** Updated

10 - 15 knots seas coming down ~ Oyster Reef and Gorgies Patch

A great group of 5 men from South Australia have taken on their yearly travels to the northen waters in search of fish. This year their adventures also include the next 3 days aboard Wild Turkey.

With seas still a little lumpy the bottom fish were a little hard to find today but the catch included

• 3-4 Scaley's
• 1 Mackerel
• 2 Mac Tunas

Lazy Sunday catching Marlin

20 knots - still rough seas ~ Oyster Reef

A quick run in Wild Turkey to ensure that all is running well before it leaves Yorkeys Knob for the season to head on the long journey south to Townsville.

Seas were a little rough and unkind but the lines went out to see what was there.

• 3 lovely Mackerel where caught

After about a 10 minute battle there was also about a 60 pound Black Marlin to add to the catch report and some great photos to match before it was release for another day.

Happy Birthday

3 years old today

&

About to start her 4th season

Share Charter for Monday 28th August

We have 2 keen anglers who are looking at putting together a share charter for Monday 28th August with 4 other people.

Details are $290 per person Departure 7.30

Return at 5pm Yorkeys Knob Marina
Day includes Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea,

Light Refreshments, Reef Taxes and all fish equipment.

Interested parties call to book on 0400 015 902

Wind doesn't scare brave footballers

Monday, 7th August 2006

20 - 25 knots in the afternoon - Fished off Oyster Reef and Michaelmas Cay

A group of local footballers braved the winds and set out in search of fish today.

The morning started out alright but still was a little rough. They did well and braved the conditions. By lunch time the winds were up and Troy needed to find shelter behind the reef to get them through.

This gave the anglers a chance to hook up on a few nice Coral Trout. Heading home through the rough seas I think they were glad to step foot on land again.

Catch of the day being
* 3 Coral Trout
* 1 Scaley Mackeral
* 1 Spanich Mackeral - nice fish at 12kgs

Well done fellas