Ready to catch some fish in Cairns? Cairns Sportfishing is here to make it happen! With Captain Gavin at the helm, you're in knowledgeable and experienced hands.

The fish in these waters include Coral Trout, Giant Trevally, Nannygai, Wahoo, Spangled Emperor, Sweetlip Emperor, Barramundi, and more with any luck. You'll target your catch by light tackle fishing, popping, trolling, jigging, bottom fishing, or maybe something more specialized in this area.

Capt. Gavin welcomes children aboard, so the whole family can come and unplug for the day! Be sure to ask if child-sized life vests are available, otherwise you should bring your own. And, you can't go wrong with snacks so that nobody gets cranky on an empty stomach!

You'll be fishing aboard a 20' Eagle Ray center console with a capacity for 5 passengers however if it is a reef adventure we only take 4 pax .we also limit by age to reef to between the ages of 14years and 60 years for safety reasons . It has everything you need for a productive day on the water. There's a toilet on board for your convenience. Rods, reels, and tackle are covered by the charter, as well as lures. Live bait is available, but be sure to ask about it so you know if you'll be catching it yourself.

You might need to purchase a local fishing license before the trip. This information is usually available online, or you can ask the captain. Some species may be off-limits or require a special tag, so make sure you know what to expect.

It's always wise to bring sunscreen (non-spray), and sunglasses. Drinks are included, free of charge. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, just be sure to avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.

Now, come aboard with Cairns Sportfishing and get hooked!



Trip availability and prices

  • Shared trip
    Half Day Trip โ€“ Estuary Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    Price for 2 persons
    US $219
    Catching Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, Golden Snapper, and Golden Grunter. You have the choice of bait fishing ,luring or live baiting. Let our guides guide you to a memorable day chasing that trophy fish. From the novice through to the experienced, we cater to all.we do however we do require 4persons to move the boat
    Targeted fish
    Barramundi
    Barramundi
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Bream (Fingermark)
    Fingermark Bream
    Grunter (Javelin)
    Javelin Grunter
  • Shared trip
    Half day trip estuary fishing (pm)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    Price for 2 persons
    US $219
    Catching barramundi, Mangrove jack ,Golden snapper, and Golden grunter you have the choice of bait fishing ,luring or live baiting ,let our guides guide you to a memorable day chasing that trophy fish.from the novice through to the experienced ,we cater for all ,we do however require 4 persons at a minimum
    Targeted fish
    Barramundi
    Barramundi
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Bream (Fingermark)
    Fingermark Bream
    Grunter (Javelin)
    Javelin Grunter
  • Shared trip
    Full Day Trip โ€“ Inshore&Reef
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    Price for 2 persons
    US $533
    Great Barrier Reef and inshore wonky hole fishing, catching Largemouth Nannigai, Coral Trout, Red Emperor, and more, a truly memorable fishing adventure.This adventure is limited to 4pax
    Targeted fish
    Trevally (Giant)
    Giant Trevally
    Wahoo
    Wahoo
    Coral Trout
    Coral Trout
    Snapper (Red Emperor)
    Red Emperor Snapper
    Sweetlip Emperor
    Sweetlip Emperor
    Nannygai
    Nannygai
    Spangled Emperor
    Spangled Emperor
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip โ€“ Estuary Fishing(am)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $439
    Catching Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, Golden Snapper, and Golden Grunter. You have the choice of bait fishing ,luring or live baiting. Let our guides guide you to a memorable day chasing that trophy fish. From the novice through to the experienced, we cater to all.
    Targeted fish
    Barramundi
    Barramundi
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Bream (Fingermark)
    Fingermark Bream
    Grunter (Javelin)
    Javelin Grunter
  • Private trip
    Half day trip -estuary fishing (pm)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $439
    Catching barramundi,Mangrove jack jack ,Golden snapper,and golden grunter you have the choice of bait fishing ,luring or live baiting.Let our guides guide you a memorable day ,chasing that trophy fish ,from the novice through to the experienced ,we cater to all.
    Targeted fish
    Barramundi
    Barramundi
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Bream (Fingermark)
    Fingermark Bream
    Grunter (Javelin)
    Javelin Grunter
  • Private trip
    Full day โ€“ Topwater Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    Price for up to 5 persons
    US $1,066
    Throw poppers and stick baits all day over the flats for the Giant Trevally, Coral Trout, and more. What a day this is, what an adventure! Tick that Giant Trevally off the bucket list, with our experienced guides. Maybe we can mix the day up with some reef bottom fishing as well.this adventure is limited to 2pax
    Targeted fish
    Trevally (Giant)
    Giant Trevally
    Wahoo
    Wahoo
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
    Coral Trout
    Coral Trout
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip โ€“ Inshore&Reef
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    Price for up to 5 persons
    US $1,066
    Great Barrier Reef and inshore wonky hole fishing, catching Largemouth Nannigai, Coral Trout, Red Emperor, and more, a truly memorable fishing adventure.This adventure is limited to 4pax
    Targeted fish
    Trevally (Giant)
    Giant Trevally
    Wahoo
    Wahoo
    Coral Trout
    Coral Trout
    Snapper (Red Emperor)
    Red Emperor Snapper
    Sweetlip Emperor
    Sweetlip Emperor
    Nannygai
    Nannygai
    Spangled Emperor
    Spangled Emperor
There are 24 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.5 / 5
out of 5 stars from 25 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.4 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.4 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (31)
Great day fishing
Great day fishing
Great day fishing
+28
Angler rating
20
1
2
1
1
Anglers claimed
Good experience
88%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
84%
Appropriate for children
93%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
80%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 25 reviews
Janine H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Gavin

VERIFIED   NEW  Half day trip -estuary fishing (pm) on January 15, 2025
Captain Gav was great! Due to unpredictable tides etc we didnโ€™t get much action but still had a really enjoyable afternoon....
Janine H. recommends Cairns Sportfishing
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You found this review helpful
  Gavin Mcgahan Captain replied

Tim K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Well worth the experience

VERIFIED   Half day trip -estuary fishing (pm) on May 4, 2024
I am not usually inclined to give reviews unless it has exceeded my expectations, however, this occasion has done exactly that.
Tim K. recommends Cairns Sportfishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Gavin Mcgahan Captain replied

William S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great morning, great captain!

VERIFIED   Half day trip -estuary fishing (pm) on August 12, 2024
Unfortunately, we had a bit of a quiet morning out with Capt Gavin, although somewhat my fault for fishing in the estuary during...
William S. recommends Cairns Sportfishing
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You found this review helpful
  Gavin Mcgahan Captain replied

John C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day fishing

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Estuary Fishing(am) on January 2, 2025
Captain Gavin was amazing. Took time to explain all his tricks to catching target fish. I had the family onboard and Gavin...
John C. recommends Cairns Sportfishing
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You found this review helpful
  Gavin Mcgahan Captain replied

Weigao D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Good fishing experience

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Estuary Fishing(am) on January 1, 2025
The captain was very nice and provided us with a lot of fishing knowledge. Even though we were three rookie fishermen, the...
Weigao D. recommends Cairns Sportfishing
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You found this review helpful
  Gavin Mcgahan Captain replied

FAQs about Cairns Sportfishing

Cairns Sportfishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • AU $175 per person - Half Day Trip โ€“ Estuary Fishing (4 hours)
  • AU $175 per person - Half day trip estuary fishing (pm) (4 hours)
  • AU $425 per person - Full Day Trip โ€“ Inshore&Reef (8 hours)
  • AU $700 per group, additional AU $175 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip โ€“ Estuary Fishing(am) (4 hours)
  • AU $700 per group, additional AU $175 per person after 4 guests - Half day trip -estuary fishing (pm) (4 hours)
  • AU $1,700 per group - Full day โ€“ Topwater Fishing (8 hours)
  • AU $1,700 per group - Full Day Trip โ€“ Inshore&Reef (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Cairns Sportfishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Snorkeling Equipment
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Cairns Sportfishing include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures (Each lure used if lost must be purchased)
  • Drinks (We supply water and soft drinks )

Cairns Sportfishing offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing

Cairns Sportfishing offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Jigging
  • Popping

Top targeted fish species with Cairns Sportfishing include:
  • Barramundi
  • Coral Trout
  • Nannygai
  • Spangled Emperor
  • Sweetlip Emperor
  • Trevally (Giant)
  • Wahoo

Your captain

Gavin Mcgahan
Portsmith, Queensland, Australia
35 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since December 2023
I have grown up around boating and fishing, am very passionate about fishing, and love to show people of all levels and experiences in fishing and boating an absolutely awesome adventure.

The fish you can target

Barramundi Barramundi
Coral Trout Coral Trout
Nannygai Nannygai
Spangled Emperor Spangled Emperor

What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
5 persons
Boat length
20 ft
Year built
2003
Restored in
2023
Boat manufacturer
Eagle Ray
Boat type
Center console

Engine model
Suzuki
Powered by
1 x 150HP
Max cruising speed
20 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing

Which fishing techniques will you try?

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Jigging
Popping

Whichย amenities are available onboard

Toilet
GPS
Fishfinder
Snorkeling Equipment
Live Bait Well
Ice Box

Whatโ€™s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Each lure used if lost must be purchased
Drinks
We supply water and soft drinks

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Whatย the listing policiesย are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch

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
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 2.5% charge will apply.