Final Results Day 4

What a hard 4 days the fishing has been for many of the 60 odd boats competing. With the majority of fish being caught being small males - with only the odd few females tagged. There were some great stories at the wharf last night as only you could imagine.

Troy Dallman - driving the private boat Bite Me told a great story about having a fish about 800lb on and while doing so was watching 3 - 4 other fish swimming along side, all of which would of made the 1000lb mark!

Ben brought Wild Turkey home safe and sound with only the 2 fish to be recorded.
Greg brought Shakara back on a "wing and a pray", struggling with engine troubles. It least it was in great hands. They made it just in time to register their tags.

Complete unofficial results:

• Mauna Kea 1st - 9 fish
• Viking II 2nd
• Diamond Girl 3rd
• Shakara - Gregs boat coming in around the 7th place - within the top 10 boats and may have won first fish of the day on day 2 ! !

Gregs personal results were; raised 30 fish, had 13 bites with only 3 tagged. Poor success, but with his make shift and green crew, who struggled but tried their best, after all is yelling and screaming at them it paid off - maybe winning the anglers an awful lot of money of which hopefully they will be very thank ful for.

Bens personal results were; raised 5 fish and had 2 hook ups. Would of liked to of seen more fish but never mind.

Well Done Greg - see what the results say tonight. Well Done Ben and your crew Troy & Bruce, as well, Well Done Tom, Steve, Steven and Rob . It was a rough all round trip but always great fun.

Results Day 3

On a very hard to hear line - rumour has the following:

• 35 Fish Tagged today
• Mauna Kea - in the lead still with 8
• Diamond Girl & Viking II with 6 each
• Moana and a number of others with 4
• Champion Boat today was Andiamo, a private boat from the Gold Coast who tagged 3
• Wild Turkey x 1 today; small one about 100 pounds Total of 2
• Shakara has got 3 fish tagged in total - mmmm the competition will be mounting ! !
• Wild Turkey and Shakara are fishing on their own, sound like the pressure is on
• Sir Reel x 2 - 1 of these a beautiful fish about 950 lbs

Wild Turkey is heading back down, in phone range and is anchored tonight off St Crispins with about 7 others including Reel Chase, Kekoa and Tradition. Boy has it been rough. Where as the other Wild team with Greg leading the way on board Shakara have traveled further north. He would hate to think that he may miss one, two, three or four!

Final day fishing tomorrow, with cease fishing at 4pm and then they will all steam for home for the weigh in and registration of tags etc. Wild Turkey will head into the Marlin Marine with most of the fleet where as it will be a mad dash for the Shakara crew as they will moor at Yorkeys and then drive their results into the Marlin Marina.

Results Day 2

Once again phones have been ringing aboard both boats but no direct contact - Luck for other sources.

• 25 Fish Tagged today
• Sir Reel x 1
• Diamond Girl x 3

Most of the fleet is now north on the Ribbons Reef. So lets hope the weather calms down a little for them. Wild Turkey was with Reel Chase and New Moon last night and I can only guess that Shakara was close by as well.

• Reel Chase yet to score today as was Kekoa & Billfish
• Wild Turkey & Shakara ??

Results Day 1

Reports are a little sketchy but with the help from others I have the following:

• Wild Turkey x 1
• Shakara x 1
• Sir Reel x 1
• Kekoa x 1
• Sea Bay x 1 and 1 hook up as they were winding in on cease fishing
• Reel Chase missed one also at cease fishing
• Allure & Billfish yet to score
• Iona - first fish tagged - Ribbons 3 at lunch time
• Mauna Kea - in the lead with 3 fish tagged
• Moana 3 - Heaviest Fish approx 950 pounds
• Total fish tagged was 24

Pictures of Sail Pass

We have been unable to load up any pictures the last few days so here is a collection from the Sail Pass


Picture 1 Anglers Tom, Steve, Steven, Rob with the crew
Picture 2 Shakara & Wild Turkey heading out

Picture 3 Shakara
Picture 4 Wild Turkey

Picture 5 Wild Turkey, Shakara and the last of the fleet to leave

Cairns Black Marlin 40th Anniversary Tournament Begins

What a buzz of excitement around the Marlin Marina there was last night. "F" finger was FULL with all the big names in the Game Fishing world, boats and skippers. Of course Wild Turkey is there. It is great to see all these boats getting together and being part of this historical event.

A last minute dash to Tom's store - Cairns Tackle & Bait, saw the last of the supplies picked up before unloading enough to feed all for weeks I am thinking. But you forget with 7 men on the boat, how much they could actually be eating.

We are setting out early to see the Sail Pass, which will be pretty spectacular I imagine. Time to also bid them all Fair Well and Good Luck.

I am sure I will loose contact with them at some stage but hopefully should be able to keep you in on most of the action.

Greg and his crew are based out of Yorkeys on Shakara, so they had the long haul this morning - leaving at 5am and heading to Cairns to be part of the Sail Pass - so will keep you up dated on them as well.

GO TOM, STEVE, STEVEN & ROB ! ! GO WILD TURKEY ! !

Sail Pass was FANTASTIC ! They streamed out one after another all 60 odd boats - travelling all the way out through the leads. As they all powered up there was a wall of white water that covered the horizon. It was a beautiful sight to see.

Heavy Tackle

7am departure this morning out from the Marlin Marina once again.

With our UK anglers on board today we are out to see if we can bring some larger fish up.

By 10.30 this morning we had hooked up but lost a small back with another one hanging around.

Short Trip

We are right in with the action at the Marlin Marina at present. It was a great site to see Wild Turkey with the bigger boats of the fleet. Being 34 foot she is a little small but does the job and manages to keep up there with most.

We took a quick run out to see what the fish were doing today. With the weather not too kind for some, we returned a little quicker than had hoped but we were fortunate to hook up a nice Dolphin Fish to add to the tally of late.

Heavy Tackle again tomorrow and then all for go with the 40th Anniversary Celebrations begining Tuesday morning.

Heavy Tackle Charter in search of the Giant Black Marlin

7am departure from Yorkeys Knob

Wild Turkey will be returning this afternoon into the Cairns Marlin Marina. This is in preparation for the upcoming 40th Anniversary Tournament starting Tuesday for 4 days. We are working out of Cairns for the next 2 days heavy tackle but at least this way we can become part of the excitement and atmosphere that is fast mounting with this event only now days away.

We will be updating and keeping a close eye on many boats in the tournament including Shakara, southen boat that part of our team Greg will be on board, Allure - with Biggles, Reel Chase - Ben's boat for the last 6 years, Billfish - with Rick Eustace, Sir Reel - Laurie Wright, event co-ordinator and any others that people request. So feel free to send any results you know about to our blog to be posted.

We will also be keeping you updated on the daily results on aboard Wild Turkey. Our team this year is Captained by Tom Winkworth - Cairns Tackle & Bait and 3 fishing mates; Steven, Rod & Steve. They are all very excited to become part of this historical occation and celebrations.

Light Tackle - Share Charter

Great day on the sea.

3 groups made up our share charter for today - some of whom have been waiting almost a week for the winds to clear and for this spare day to come around - Thanks Paul.

Wild Turkey saw 7 Black Marlin and tagged 2 - both only small ones but they put on quite an energetic display.

Well done - update to follow.

Heavy Tackle Day

Report to follow

Winds are down Seas are calming and we are itching to get out!

What a terrible last 2 weeks we have had with winds 25 - 30 +. Very rough and very ugly. Finally the weather is showing some kindness our way. With the next 9 days straight booked for Heavy Tackle we were hoping the seas would let up soon.
Keep this page bookmarked and check back each day for results and hopefully pictures.

Begining of Heavy Tackle season

Knot 20 -25 Rough ! Linden Bank

Day 1 of our 2006 marlin season kicked off with some ordinary weather. With a keen angler from Victoria and his local mates, the day was a little slower then we had liked but they were interested and hung in there to find a few fish that scored.

We found a 150 pound Black Marlin on Linden bank. We also hooked up a large GT.

Wild winds are whipping up at present and this may be the last trip on Wild Turkey Charters for a few days until the weather in Cairns starts to come down.

Wild Turkey Heading Home - Due Today and Availability

Ben fuelled her up and left the port of Townsville early yesterday morning. The plan being to bait fish on their way home for the up coming Heavy Tackle season with Wild Turkey. They should according to plans be home to Yorkeys either late this afternoon or early tomorrow. Either way we are looking forward to their return.

We have 3 great days fishing coming up 1 Light Tackle and 2 exciting Heavy Tackle days - Look out Marlins.

We also have a the following dates available for charter:

• 13th September
• 15th September
• 16th September
• 17th September
• 18th September
• 19th September
• 20th September
• 21st September
• 22nd September

This is then followed by 3 days Heavy Tackle before we relocate into the Cairns Marlin Marina for the exciting Cairns Black Marlin 40th Anniversary Tournament - 4 day event begins.

We are also still able to enter the Lizard Island Tournament even though entires have closed for interested parites 15th - 21st October. Price was $15,400.00 We have discounted this to $14,000.00 all inclusive for the 7 days. I have 1 person interested in doing a share charter on this which may also be an option for those keen enough. Call us on 0400015902 to enquire.

3rd Place in Townsville for Wild Turkey!

With the tournament over and the excitement of the day shining through - it was then off to the presentation dinner to find out the final call of events over the past 5 days.

• 1st Place Reel Chase 18 Marlin tagged - Ben crewed on here last year with Jim
• 2nd Place Square Bear 12 Marlin tagged
• 3rd Place WILD TURKEY 12 Marlin tagged

It was decided on a count back since there were 2 boat with 12 Marlin caught but the earlier fish caught won the second prize. How fantastic for Ben and Troy and of couse us owners of WILD TURKEY. Thrid place first time out is just Brilliant.

We look forward to welcoming them home and congratulate them both.

Available dates next week for bookings include 13th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th September

Winner of CHAMPION BOAT ~ Day 5 ! ! !

What a great time Ben and Troy have been having in Townsville - there are fish everwhere apparently. Lets hope in the last day today that they find a great patch of fish and collect some big numbers.

Time: 09.45 The SMS read - 2 from 3 and just slowed up a little bit. So all is going well out there on the last day of the tournament today.

By Lunch time Wild Turkey was then hooked up on a double header - both of which were tagged.

Time 14.02 Followed by another double header that they have on at the moment. Got both of these tagged and into the boat. YAHOO!

Time 14.32 Another strike by yet another marlin - hang tight and see what this one brings..

WHAT A DAY THIS IS BECOMING

Finally the fishing has turned for Wild Turkey and the fish are there - earlier skeds reported 3 - 4 being caught so we may be up there with the numbers today - time to get the excitement happening. Ben has his Hat camera on to capture all while driving so loking forward to some great footage and some good photos - Well done Team Wild Turkey !

Wild Turkey has taken out

"CHAMPION BOAT"

~ Day 5 of TOWNSVILLE TOURNAMENT ~

Fantastic effort for not giving up.

Well done Ben, Troy and the Fishing Team.

First time out for Ben with Wild Turkey

First Tournament for Ben as Captain of Wild Turkey

Catch included 8 Marlin tagged

Billfish Challenge Townsville Tournament ~ Day 4

We were one of the few boats that headed back to port last night. With being a corporate boat we are changing anglers ever day so the long runs were there for us. Most of the other boats stayed out on Bowling Green fresh for fishing this morning.

First up this morning there were a few tuna being caught by Wild Turkey with more to come.

There was - 2 small Black Marlin were hooked up by us today with the third one there but not hooked up.

Today the paddock was flat calm and the conditions were great - There were buckets of fish caught today - story has it a large fish over 700 pounds seemed to be lost and became a hooked up there for a while but not caught. He must be on his way to Lizard Island - hopefully we will see him there.

Last day tomorrow of this grand event - at present it is said that Reel Chase is leading the way - Well done.

Billfish Challenge Townsville Tournament ~ Day 3

Weather is much nicer this morning with seas around 12 knots. It was a smooth run out to the fishing grounds on a steady 22 knots. Far nicer than it has been. There is a great chance that "Marlin Fever" might strick today! Fingers Crossed.

UPDATE as at 13.00:

• Sedative - Tagged first Marlin of the day
• Cleveland Steamer - First sailfish of the day

Weather has come down to about 5 knots and is looking great - but for Wild Turkey the fishing is a little hard at present. Fishing hasnt finished yet so there is still time yet.

14.52 - The SMS read: FINALLY! This is a great sign with the details to follow - I am taking this can only mean Marlin ! Yahoo ... Yes - but it was only a small one - never the less.

It was a productive day for most out there on Bowling Green with numbers being around the 50 odd - some very luck boats tagging 5 - 6 Marlin. I think that tomorrow is Wild Turkey's day.

Please excuse my lack of information from time to time - sometimes I dont quite get filled in on all the details.

Billfish Challenge Townsville Tournament ~ Day 2

We are out - at 8.40am the call from Captain Ben aboard Wild Turkey described the following:

At present we are punching out through 16 - 17 knot seas

In the middle of a squall, with rain all around

You aren't missing much yet, It's ugly ..

It only now can get better.

.

UPDATE:

• End of Fishing today saw Wild Turkey score points on the board with a 30 pound Black Marlin. Also catching a couple of Mac Tunas and had a couple of chop off's. Well Done Ben!
• Leaders Reel Chase got two Marlin, including the first catch of the day - Well done!
• Equal Leaders Castille also got two Marlin
• Utopia & Kanahoee also catching Marlin

It was a quiet days fishing with only 10 Marlin and 3 sailfish caught. For some the weather was far to tough to head out in - where as for us it will be hard to hold us back.

Billfish Challenge Townsville Tournament ~ Day 1

Day one of the tournament has been CANCELLED - Due to a Strong wind warning being current from Cardwell to Bowen. SE/E winds 20/25 knots, reaching 25/30 knots offshore during the morning. Seas to 2.5 metres in open waters. Showers and rain areas.
Nevermind - Always tomorrow.

Seas are coming down fast and hopefully will bring with it some great Marlin bites.
Sunday: SE/E winds 15/20 knots. Seas to 1.8 metres in open waters. Scattered showers.

Wild Turkey can relax and enjoy the buzz of excitement that goes along with this great event until tomorrow.