Captains Log of Coral Sea Trip

Finally here is the daily report for all to read about with our 20 day trip to the Coral Sea.
Captain Ben Bright with Greg as crew

20th Nov
Depart Yorkeys at 12.30
Arrive Opal Reef & met up with "The Boss' mothership for charter
Rafted up

21st Nov
Light tackle fishing behind Opal Reef and then Marlin fished afternoon

• Mahi Mahi
• Yellow Fin
• Scaley
• Turrum

22nd Nov
Light tackle fished Opal Reef 1/2 day and then Marlin fished afternoon
Departed for Holmes Reef at 2100 hrs and travelled through the night at 7knots in 15-20 knot S/E seas

23rd Nov
Puttered through the night and arrived at Holmes Reef 1430 hrs
Fished last couple of hours

24th Nov
Fished Holmes Reef

• Dogtooth Tuna
• Red Bass
• Blue Fin T/V
• Blue Spot Trout

25th Nov
Fished east Holmes Reef

• Dogtooth Tuna
• Long Nose Emperor
• Green Jobfish

Departed towards Willis Island slow chug through the night

26th Nov
Slow chug till dawn then ran to drop off trolled edge
The Boss arrived in afternoon and fished till dark

• Dogtooth Tuna
• Yellow Fin Tuna
• Jobfish

27th Nov
Trolled teasers on E edge of reef - not many bites but eventually 18lb Dogtooth on fly

28th Nov
Towed tender to The Boss to N sand cay where clients John Ted & Michael fly fished in shallows
29th Nov
Ran to W edge of reef and trolled just teasers N

• Dogtooth Tuna
• T & R Sailfish

30th Nov
Ran to west side & trolled teasers ended up on east side

• Dogtooth Tuna on fly

1st Dec
Teaser fished S/E side

• Dogtooth Tuna
• Sailfish

2nd Dec
Fished N edge with fly - slow - teased a couple but no results

3rd Dec
Ran S and fished S/E edge

• Dogtooth Tuna - 1 40lbs on fly

Teased 15 or so - good conditions

4th Dec
Fished til mid afternoon and then ran to Herald Cay

5th Dec
Dept Herald Cay and ran to Heralds Surprise - teaser fished
Fished down to sand cay and Flinders

• Dogtooth Tuna
• Red Bass
• Blue Fin Trevally

6th Dec
Dept from sand cay at Flinders Reef - ran to middle of E Ribbons Reef.
Ran to top of Ribbons and Marlin fished

• 700lbs
• 400lbs
• 150lbs
• Scaley's
• Rainbow runners

7th Dec
Dept from Flinders Reef and trolled lures to Dart Reef
Ran to Mc Dermott Bork, then Flora Reef

• Black Marlin T&R 300 Ib

8th Dec
Trolled lures

• Jobfish

9th Dec
Dept from Flora Reef, trolled Lagoon, ran to Sea Mount, Jenny Louise and Flynn Reef
Dropped of passengers and headed home to Yorkeys Knob - arrived 8pm

• Blue Fin T/V
• Mahi Mahi

Merry Christmas & Big Marlins for 2007

The Wild Turkey team of Rob, Bernadette, Greg, Michelle & families would like to wish all those involved with our vessel Wild Turkey during the great 2006 year a very Merry Christmas.

This involves all crew though out the year, all the people behind the scenes making sure all was working and in running order at all times, and of course all those who fished with us.

Thank You to Captain Ben

NORAPMIS PTY LTD - Wild Turkey Charters

Would like to Thank our Captain for 2006 - Ben Bright for his services with us for the Heavy Tackle Marlin Season. We have bid him farewell as he heads back up to Weipa in Northern Queensland - back to the Barramundi country.

Ben has been a great asset to our team and helped ensure that all day to day runnings of Wild Turkey were at a high standard and maintained this way by himself and his professional crew. With the boat heading out from Cairns for long periods at a time - this was quite saddening for members of our team but knowing that Ben would care for Wild Turkey as if she was his own was very reassuring and to which we are very thankful for.

On a personal note: For our youngest member of the Wild Turkey Team, Ben has played a huge part with her keen interest in fish! With first ALL fish being Marlins - even the guppy's - to her knowing the difference between and pointing out Marlin, Trout, Tuna and Sharks and saying their names. This showed us a different side to Ben, but he may tell you he doesnt like kids - we think she won his heart ! !

2007 News: We are pleased to advise that we will be welcoming Ben back for the 2007 Heavy Tackle Season to once again be running our vessel Wild Turkey. In the mean time we are hoping that he will add the odd entry every once in a while and give up some up dates on his fishing adventures - especially with the Marlin Chase in Port Stephens - Jan, Feb & March.

Out in search of Marlin

With most of the fleet back in their southern home ports after being handed back for the season - Wild Turkey is still heading out and seeing what fish there are yet to be caught. Stories have it that there are still some large fish of the coast and that the chances of hooking up something big are in the 90% factor at present.

Today we have got a family of 7 on board - 4 adults and 3 small children - this will make Wild Turkey feel right at home.

Was scheduled for a relaxing day including lunch on the reef with a snorkle and fish added in there.

Wild Turkey is Home !

Wild Turkey has returned home safely after 20 days

in the Coral Sea thanks to Captain Ben & crew.

She is tied up, washed and clean - and the boys can relax ! !

Stories to follow !

Welcome home guys ! Well Done Ben !

Winds are up as Wild Turkey heads home

Some time this week-end I am expecting an SMS with contact being made from Capt Ben and Greg to say Wild Turkey is in range and heading home.

With the weather being overcast, rainy and some what windy, I thought I should just check the weather. I think Capt Ben will be ending his season with us in the same manner that he started it - STRONG WINDS ! ! Wow what a season for the winds and rough seas.

UPDATED North Tropical Waters, Cooktown to Cardwell:

Friday until midnight: SE winds 15/20 knots.
Saturday: SE winds 15/20 knots, increasing to 20/25 knots during the morning.
Sunday: SE winds 25/30 knots.

They will be glad to tie Wild Turkey up after punching home in larger seas once again. I am sure they will of had a great life experience but I am also sure they will be pleased for a solid non moving shower with unlimited hot water, to lay on the couch and to sleep in a still bed !

Updated Friday night:
Message from Captain Ben is that they are heading home - at Flora Reef 120 miles out still with the ETA being the early hours of Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Highlights from 2005 Season

Thought I would up load some of our great pictures from last season - since this site has only been running since April it will give those who dont know a chance to see some great fish caught.

Ribbons Ladies Tournament Results

The Ribbons Ladies Game Fishing Tournament is held the 1st Saturday in December every year. It is Australia’s only Bluewater Ladies Exclusive Game Fishing Tournament.

This year they celebrated their 23rd event and unfortunately due to work commitments Wild Turkey was not part of this for the 1st time since being launched. Our team was passed over to Mistress and they were in great hands to take out 2nd place – Well Done ladies.

Results as follows:

1st Mystique Over 7m
2nd Mistress Over 7m
3rd Corsair II Over 7m
1st The Edge Under 7m

Well Done to all those who fished and well done to the great women behind the fleet who put in a huge effort to make this event one of the most enjoyable and fun features to end the season.

Wild Turkey heading out 2005 with our then new slogan

"Get Hooked on Wild Turkey"

Bookings for Dec & Jan

Being a local owned and operated Game Boat of Cairns - Wild Turkey is very fortunate that we are not heading south or having the boat handed back over at the end of leasing periods this time of the year. Instead we are still taking bookings and out fishing ! ! ! As we love...

This gives us the opportunity to head out and continue to fish for the Marlins off the waters of Cairns for as long as they are around. Giving us the chance to not only be fishing for Black Marlins but to occasionally pick up the odd Blue Marlin on its travels as well as Wahoo and Dolphin Fish.

Interested parties give us a call as dates especially between Christmas and New Years are quite busy for us.

Group out in the Coral Sea

Well I must say that with all the comings and goings life gets a little busy especially as the season hits full swing and I cant wait till charters like this when I can have a sign of relief and wave good bye to Wild Turkey and the crew for 20 days..... but I must say when you dont have direct contact with the boat or the crew those 20 days become very very long.

The old saying is " No News is Good News ! ! So here's hoping to them.

This crazy group from all parts of America include the following:

• Hal Chittum
• Chris Cooper
• John Kipp
• John Donnell
• Mike Monier
• Robert Trossett (R.T)
• Michael Schwartz
• Buddy Sowers

I hope I have the spelling right.. I am looking forward to their stories and to see some great pictures in about 5 days or so.