Tropical Sportfisher
+66Locally owned and operated, Tropical Sportfisher is a guided fly and sportfishing operation based in Cairns,Far North Queensland. Captain Rory Brookes specializes in lure and fly fishing targeting a range of tropical species including Barramundi, Mangrove, Jack, Queenfish, Gt and Permit. They operate from Cairns, Port Douglas and Mission Beach.
If you join them for a trip, the boat you’ll be fishing from will be a 17’ Cairns custom craft powered by a 70 HP Yamaha outboard. Restored in 2018, the vessel’s equipped with everything you’d need for a productive day on the water including Humminbird electronics and a Minn Kota trolling motor. There is also a YETI cooler for all your refreshments.
Tropical Sportfisher also offers unique guided walk and wade freshwater fishing where you’ll target Jungle Perch and Sooty Grunter. If the weather permits you can opt for fishing inshore wrecks and islands for pelagics and different reef species. The captain will supply all tackle and high-quality outfits for lure and fly fishing. Lunch, drinks, pick up, and drop off are all included in the price as well.
There’s little more you need to do apart from showing up and fishing. Just pack any special drinks and snacks you might want, grab your sunglasses and sun lotion and you’ll be good to go!
Now, take a look at the packages offered below, with so many to choose from, you’re bound to find one that’s just perfect for you. After that, just find an opening in the captain’s calendar that works for you, and your angling adventure can begin!
Charter Operator
Tropical Sportfisher
Most popular features:
Trip availability and prices
In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (143)
+140Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
93%
Appropriate for children
76%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
67%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
It was a trophy day!
Full Day Trip–River and Estuary on March 7, 2025
We booked with Rory to celebrate my husband’s birthday and we had a trophy day! My husband really enjoys fishing but had never fished for barramundi or queen fish; and I don’t fish very often, but Rory’s expertise and knowledge helped us catch trophy size fish! We felt right at home with Rory, and his down to earth approach helped us have a very enjoyable time. It was icing on the cake to identify some unique wildlife, and to spot a large croc on the bank! We would book another day in a heartbeat, if there were any openings during our stay!
We booked with Rory to celebrate my husband’s birthday and we had a trophy day! My husband really enjoys fishing but had never fished for barramundi or queen fish; and I don’t fish very often, but Rory’s expertise and knowledge helped us catch trophy size fish! We felt right at home with Rory, and his down to earth approach helped us have a very enjoyable time. It was icing on the cake to identify some unique wildlife, and to spot a large croc on the bank! We would book another day in a heartbeat,...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great xperience
Half Day Trip–River and Estuary on July 2, 2025
We had a great session today with Rory, caught a few fish and he worked very hard to get us to various locations. His boat was fully equipped with the latest equipment and technology and he takes great pride in his business. We will certainly head out with him again and highly recommend to anyone to spend some time with Captain Rory.
We had a great session today with Rory, caught a few fish and he worked very hard to get us to various locations. His boat was fully equipped with the latest equipment and technology and he takes great pride in his business. We will certainly head out with him again and highly recommend to anyone to spend some time with Captain Rory.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Half Day Blue Water Inshore Trip
5 Hour Trip – Inshore Bluewater on August 1, 2024
It was an absolute blast! I didn’t catch any fish but I had a great time. We were limited to the river due to the weather. I recommend trying to plan your trip according to the weather(which I didn’t), either way a great time! Really great guy and very helpful! Picked us up and dropped us off which was very nice. I would 100% recommend this tour if you have the chance to do it!
It was an absolute blast! I didn’t catch any fish but I had a great time. We were limited to the river due to the weather. I recommend trying to plan your trip according to the weather(which I didn’t), either way a great time! Really great guy and very helpful! Picked us up and dropped us off which was very nice. I would 100% recommend this tour if you have the chance to do it!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Absolutely spewing!
5 Hour Trip – Inshore Bluewater on August 23, 2024
Absolutely spewing I didn’t opt for a whole day charter! Rory is a great bloke easy conversation and easy to find common ground with a fellow angler. Hoping in the next few days someone cancels just so I can get on the boat again before I leave cairns. Thanks again mate hope to see ya soon!
Absolutely spewing I didn’t opt for a whole day charter! Rory is a great bloke easy conversation and easy to find common ground with a fellow angler. Hoping in the next few days someone cancels just so I can get on the boat again before I leave cairns. Thanks again mate hope to see ya soon!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Unreal Experience!!
5 Hour Trip – Inshore Bluewater on March 26, 2024
Fishing, Sharks, Crocodiles and the rest!! From moment one Rory was helpful and insightful. Picked us up from our hotel with boat in tow. Spent the first 20 minutes showing us crocodile hot spots. From there we were immediately onto some queen fish and GT. the action was non stop, Rory was very insightful. We managed a full boat of fish, lost a few to the sharks which added some extra excitement as we seen bull sharks come right up to the surface! Rory supplied food and drinks and plenty of conversation! Beautiful scenes from sunny tropical islands and mangroves. I’m more experienced but my dad is a novice which didn’t make the slightest difference, Rory taught us both the same on how to use the tackle needed and got us on the fish. I’ll be booking on again next time I’m in cairns as a must!
Fishing, Sharks, Crocodiles and the rest!! From moment one Rory was helpful and insightful. Picked us up from our hotel with boat in tow. Spent the first 20 minutes showing us crocodile hot spots. From there we were immediately onto some queen fish and GT. the action was non stop, Rory was very insightful. We managed a full boat of fish, lost a few to the sharks which added some extra excitement as we seen bull sharks come right up to the surface! Rory supplied food and drinks and plenty of...
FAQs about Tropical Sportfisher
What are the trip rates for Tropical Sportfisher?
Tropical Sportfisher offers the following trips to customers:
- AU $550 per group - Half Day – Rainforest Backcountry (5 hours)
- AU $650 per group - Half Day Trip–Guided Fly Fishing (5 hours)
- AU $650 per group - Half Day Trip–River and Estuary (5 hours)
- AU $880 per group - Full Day –Rainforest Backcountry (8 hours)
- AU $990 per group, additional AU $100 per person after 1 guest - Full Day Trip–Guided Fly Fishing (9 hours)
- AU $990 per group, additional AU $100 per person after 1 guest - Full Day Trip–River and Estuary (9 hours)
- AU $1,450 per group, additional AU $100 per person after 1 guest - Full Day Trip–Inshore Bluewater (9 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Tropical Sportfisher?
When you book a trip with Tropical Sportfisher, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
- GPS Humminbird Solix 12
- Fishfinder Garmin 8416 Live Scope& Humminbird Solix 12
- Snorkeling Equipment
- Wireless Trolling Motor Minn Kota 80 lb Pilot
- Ice Box YETI
What's included in the trip price with Tropical Sportfisher?
Trips booked with Tropical Sportfisher include:
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Lures
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Fishing License
- Lunch
- Fly Fishing Equipment
What types of fishing does Tropical Sportfisher offer?
Tropical Sportfisher offers the following types of fishing:
- River Fishing
- Lake Fishing
- Inshore Fishing
- Nearshore Fishing
- Offshore Fishing
- Reef Fishing
- Wreck Fishing
- Flats Fishing
- Backcountry Fishing
What fishing techniques does Tropical Sportfisher offer?
Tropical Sportfisher offers the following fishing techniques:
- Light Tackle
- Spinning
- Jigging
- Popping
- Fly Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Tropical Sportfisher?
Top targeted fish species with Tropical Sportfisher include:
- Barramundi
- Bream (Fingermark)
- Coral Trout
- Permit
- Queenfish
- Snapper (Mangrove)
- Tarpon
- Threadfin Salmon
- Trevally (Giant)
- Trevally (Golden)
- Tuna (Bluefin)
- Tuna (Skipjack)
Your operator
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
I've fished in North Queensland for over 30 years, I grew up fishing for Jungle Perch and Sooty Grunter along the banks of the Mulgrave river which eventuated into an obsession with Barramundi fishing. Then onto big Barramundi fishing which became my life for many years. These days other guides follow me around trying to find my barramundi spots. I started guiding to spend more time fishing and work in an industry I love. I've guided all across the top end of Australia for sport fishing lodges and multiple luxury mothership operations. I'm very fortunate to have grown up in the FNQ region with many different sportfishing options and being able to access the remote back country so easily.
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
River Fishing
Lake Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing
Which fishing techniques you can try
Light Tackle
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Which amenities are available onboard
GPS
Humminbird Solix 12
Fishfinder
Garmin 8416 Live Scope& Humminbird Solix 12
Snorkeling Equipment
Wireless Trolling Motor
Minn Kota 80 lb Pilot
Ice Box
YETI
What’s included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Snacks
Drinks
Fishing License
Lunch
Fly Fishing Equipment
How cancellations work
Deposit non-refundable
If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.
What the listing policies are
Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
Catch and Release Mandatory
How you can pay
Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
PayPal
Bank Transfer
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 5% charge will apply.
What’s biting in Cairns right now
Barramundi
Queenfish
Threadfin Salmon
Trevally (Giant)
Trevally (Golden)
Tuna (Bluefin)