Sydney
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $1,280
Captain
Ivan Bennett
Sydney, Australia
25+ reviews
I have been a fisherman since I was a kid, when I developed a love for the seas and everything that lives in and on the oceans. It's my passion! I have been a member of the Sydney Game Fishing Club for over 30 years, and have fished competitively along the East Coast of NSW from Bermagui to Ballina for the various game fish species found along our coast. I started my chartering business in the year 2000.
Charter
Rating
4.9
38 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.8
Fishing Experience
Anglers' gallery (45)
What anglers say
97%
Recommend this charter
77%
Caught fish
All reviews (38)
Showing 1 – 5 of 38 reviews
Jamey Gahner
North Dakota, US•Member since 20265.0VerifiedNEWBucket List Fishing Trip- Achieved
Half Day charter 7am. to 1 pm. • 3 adultsCaptain Ivan and crew (Steve) were great! He communicated with me prior to the trip and recommended changing the day due to weather which was not a requirement on his end. He wanted us to be happier and the trip more enjoyable. He also explained our trip wasn’t the best season (we planned it around the Sydney Marathon) but still put us on fish! After catching our bait (which was also fun) we caught Kingfish and “Pinky” (which is like a Red Snapper where we’re from). The day we went out all charters (on the radio) reported no or few fish. We even saw Humpback Whales multiple times. Definitely would recommend this charter and if we come back in sportfish season I’ll be booking through him hands down!
Response from CaptainThanks for the review Jamey, it was an interesting day but a shame we couldn't do better.
Charlotte Kieler
Australia•Member since 20255.0VerifiedAmazing Charter
10 Hour Trip – Game Fishing • 6 adultsI booked this charter for my partner and his friends, and they haven’t stopped talking about it since! From the moment they stepped on board, Ivan made them feel welcome, prepared, and excited for the day ahead. The captain clearly knew the waters inside and out, within no time they were reeling in beautiful tuna and powerful king fish. The boat was spotless, the gear was top notch, and the crew’s energy made the entire experience unforgettable. They not only put the guys on the fish, but also shared tips, stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. By the end of the trip, they came home with cooler loads of fresh catch and memories they’ll be bragging about for years. If you're looking for a charter that delivers incredible fishing, professional guidance, and a truly enjoyable atmosphere, this is the one. Highly recommend!
Reported catch:
Brooke MasseyTexas, US•Member since 20265.0VerifiedFishing with Ivan
10 Hour Trip – Tuna • 5 adults
Xinnan XiaoRepeat anglerAustralia•Member since 2025•2 trips4.7VerifiedFishing with Ivan
10 Hour Trip – Tuna • 6 adults
Qing LinAustralia•Member since 20255.0VerifiedOctober fishing trip
10 Hour Trip – Game Fishing • 4 adultsResponse from CaptainThanks Qing, it was a very memorable and exciting day with plenty of Marlin action.
Real catches shared by our community
- Ambition ChartersSydney, NS
- Ambition ChartersSydney, NS
- Ambition ChartersSydney, NS
- Ambition ChartersSydney, NS
- Ambition ChartersSydney, NS
- Ambition ChartersSydney, NS
- Ambition ChartersSydney, NS
- Ambition ChartersSydney, NS
- Ambition ChartersSydney, NS
- Ambition ChartersSydney, NS
What's biting with Ambition Charters in Sydney
The weather begins to feel a little more spring-like, with the bite transitioning alongside the weather. Flathead starts to liven up, with Bream, Tailor, and Salmon still putting up a good show at the beaches.
Top catches for September
Fishing reports
Ambition report 8th.October’26.
Sep 7, 2026 • Sydney
With the weather looking good on Monday we headed out with Michael and his son Max to see if we could find some Kingfish or one of those elusive Yellowfin. Up until now the ‘fin haven’t showed up in numbers off Sydney. However occasionally fish are turning up in just enough numbers to get you motivated.
We went out over the twelve mile without marking anything substantial so with the upcoming Southerly change in mind decided to go wide while the weather was good and have a shot at the Kingies on the way back.
I must say we covered a lot of ground, trolling North to the ‘Bait Station’ then out to a thousand fathoms. In all that travelling we only saw a school of Striped Tuna some Dolphins and Whales as well as some big splashes I assumed might be tuna but it was anyone’s guess.
I could see the clouds building up to the South and since we were nearly thirty miles from home I turned to head for the twelve mile.
When trolling on a glassy ocean in a following sea on a bright sunny day with the drone of the engines lulling you into a trance it is quite a start when a ratchet starts screaming as it did in about nine hundred fathoms East of Browns, it was a startling wake up call.
Max took the rod and was put to work by this fish, as Yellowfin do. I must say for someone who had never used this sort of gear and never been Game Fishing before he handled it well, very well indeed.
After a good twenty minutes of hard work he brought it to the boat where we gaffed it to his relief and amazement.
Tight lines,
Ivan
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SPRING FISHING
Sep 1, 2026 • Sydney
Welcome to Ambition Game Fishing Charters Sydney where Spring gives promise of Summer's arrival...
SEPTEMBER to DECEMBER :
During these months the offshore waters start to warm up. However there are still winter species around. It is a good time of year to target Yellowfin and Albacore. The Mako and Blue sharks are still around Browns Mountain and wider out.
Around the inshore and offshore reefs Kingfish ( American Yellowtail ) are taking up residence. Jigging and live baiting being the best methods to catch them. Schools of smaller generally undersized Kings can be found close in to the rocks around the Heads and at various other Headlands.
By November the warmer water has moved closer inshore and the first of the summer sharks turn up i.e. Hammer Heads, Tigers and Whalers just to make life more interesting. Slimey Mackerel and Striped tuna start appearing along the shelf attracting more of the pelagics, Striped Marlin though present all year become more common as well as Mahi Mahi, the bigger ones often arrive in November before the school fish take up residence around fish traps and FAD's. We will on occasion also find the bigger Yellowfin Tuna in the warmer currents.
The warmer currents continue to move in through December. Generally towards the end of December and usually around Christmas or Boxing Day the first of the Black Marlin show up. The Blacks are generally smaller fish but what they lack in size they more than make up in numbers out wider, over the continental shelf Striped Marlin become more prevalent with the occasional early season Blue Marlin crashing the party..
What I have described is a very general overview of what may be expected on the East Coast of New South Wales. As I have mentioned the currents are very fickle so finding the fish that travel in them is a matter of observation, perseverance and knowledge of what and where the currents are.
At Ambition, we offer fishing charters off Sydney and surrounding areas. So contact us today to find out more about the current conditions and what to expect.
Tight lines,
Captain Ivan
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Ambition report 26th.April'26
Apr 25, 2026 • Sydney
Its been a while since my last report for many and varied reasons not the least being weather and breakdowns, well not so much breakdowns but the time taken to get parts, thankfully all good now, except for the cost of fuel.
Anyway, I went out yesterday with Alvin and his partner who wanted to catch Marlin and Yellowfin, on an absolute stunner of a day.
On checking the charts you could see a good temperature break and around the Southern canyons some eddying also some interesting water to the North, so, which way to go ?
On the way out I heard that Ali on ‘Finfinder’ had caught a Yellowfin of around fifty kilo’s wide of the Southern Canyons which motivated all on board and made decision for me.
We found heaps of bait on the way out and when we reached the temperature break we could see Gannets diving in over a wide area on the bait. Continuing out and down to the canyons the temperature went up to 24.5C, we were expecting to see a big Blue come charging in at any moment but sadly it never eventuated and neither did the Yellowfin.
After several hours of frustratingly unsuccessful trolling in what appeared to be ideal conditions it was time to head for home.
I trolled back up towards Browns and in towards the shelf in the hope of finding a Striped Marlin. The bait was still there as were the Gannets and as before no results either. The frustration on board was palpable, so we pulled in the gear and headed in.
On the way a friend, Paul, on ‘El Pirata’ called to let me know that he’d tagged a Blue Marlin as well as taken two fifty kilo Yellowfin North of Browns. I can’t tell you how it made us feel. I’d made the wrong call, should have gone North instead of South, but that’s fishing, didn’t make me feel any better though. For a moment I thought about turning around but good sense prevailed, it was far too late.
To add to the frustration as I sit here listening to the radio there is a good bite going on North of Browns with several Blue Marlin and Yellowfin being taken. One could so easily be forgiven for giving this fickle, frustrating game away, but then what else would you do.
Tight lines,
Ivan
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Ambition Report 25th.January’26
Jan 25, 2026 • Sydney
Yesterday was an interesting day to say the least. A not to often weather event, a sea fog, shrouded the whole area off Sydney. Usually these things lift as the sun warms the area or the wind blows it away but this one hung around for what seemed like forever. Being quite a visual sport and with visual range down to a hundred metres at times it was quite hampering and potentially hazardous.
Anyway, we carried on regardless. However, probably what caused the fog to linger, had something to do with the VHF signal tunnelling ( a form of VHF propagation), by way of a temperature inversion. On VHF 22 we were receiving radio scheds from Bermagui which apart from being annoying was frustrating because of the numbers of Marlin being caught down there.
Off Sydney it seems the Mahi Mahi have taken up residence at all the FAD’s. Mostly small ones but enough larger ones to make it interesting. Usually though the bigger ones are caught while trolling wide for Marlin.
There appeared to be a bite around and North of the ‘Bait Station’ with lots of fish raised but from all reports the strikes were half hearted. The boat ‘On Call’ went wide and found good blue water and managed a Yellowfin out there, after having marked others. Also, it seems there are Gemmies and Blue Eye on the mountain.
We did eventually raise a Marlin and this one didn’t play around. In fact when it hit I all I saw was a flash and thought it was a tuna. After a short fight it was brought to boat, photo’s taken and released.
So that was it for the day. There is some very warm water out wide with fish in it and hopefully it will move in to the plankton rich water we are experiencing at present and get that food chain working.
Tight lines,
Ivan
• All lure used unless otherwise specified are Pakula Lures .
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Ambition Report 22nd.January’26
Jan 21, 2026 • Sydney
I went out yesterday not knowing what to expect. Prior to the weather last week there had been a good Marlin bite with both Blacks and Stripes along with Blues being found. So, the expectation was high but what affect had the weather had.
As we left the Heads the water temperature was good and the water dirty as to be expected. As we went out the colour changed from dirty green to a clearer green but even out at seven hundred fathoms it only got slightly better sadly never going blue. However the temperature did reach twenty-four point six.
We put the lures out just inside the Nine Mile to check out the FAD but nothing showed up except some small Kingfish so we headed for the 12 Mile.
As we passed over the reef we got a cracking strike on the Brad ‘J’ on the shotgun. I nearly jumped out of my chair, the last thing I expected was a hit in this dirty green water. But there you go, the last thing you expect when you least expect it. Anyway, no hookup. I did a couple of laps with no result so headed out to wider grounds hoping the water would clear.
We went out past Browns and headed North not having seen anything of any interest. No birds, only very scattered bait and no blue water but lots of dead plankton lines, what some call coral spawn.
In the distance I saw something popping up between swells. As we got closer I could see it was some sort of trap but it was in two hundred fathoms. Whatever it was it made for a great FAD. On the first pass while I was watching the lures I saw a fish leap out from behind the lure and hit it. My first thought was that it was a Wahoo as I’d seen this happen before, and until they brought it to the boat that’s what I thought. However, when it hit the deck it was apparent it wasn’t a Wahoo, it was a Barracuda, a ‘Great Barracuda’ of around twenty kilo’s. Normally found around reefs and tropical seas, what was it doing in two hundred fathoms down here. While we were fighting the C’uda some big Dollies came up to the boat and hung around to watch the fight, but sadly we didn’t have any bait so we just watched, thinking we’d get them on the lures later.
Later came and as we passed the ‘trap’ we had a hit but it was only a small Dolly, then as I slowed, the rigger went off with a bigger fish which we all thought was one of the big Dollies. But to our surprise it turned out to be a Yellowfin of ten to twelve kilo’s, dinner at least. I did several more laps around the ‘trap’, we caught a few more smaller Dollies but the big ones didn’t show.
On the way in I went past the Botany FADs and though I saw a couple of bigger Dollies they couldn’t be enticed. I know the fish around a FAD can be easily spooked but I’m pretty sure we were the first if not only boat in that area yesterday, so I don’t know why they didn’t come up. The water was definitely warm enough, maybe it was the colour or the algae, but that’s fishing, nothing is for sure.
**hidden content**
Tight lines,
Ivan
• All lure used unless otherwise specified are Pakula Lures .
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Ambition Report 1st.January’26
Dec 30, 2025 • Sydney
It was a real pleasure to go to sea the other day with Jack and his friends. The weather actually played ball which was a pleasant change from the last few days out.
Reports were varied off Sydney but there was a good bite happening to the South and listening to channel 82 was quite frustrating not just because of the chatter but because the bite was just that bit too far for me to get to.
However, we headed off in the general direction of the Southern Canyons after putting the lures in at the shelf. I was surprised at how much cooler the water was compared to the previous time I was out and the current was pushing up from the South.
After a few hours of nothing, hardly any bird life and only some scattered bait, I moved out to deeper water where the water temperature slowly rose and went that beautiful blue that we want to see. Some life showed up in the form of dolphins and the occasional mutton bird and small patches of bait.
Anyway, to cut a long story short after frustratingly listening to the reports now just a few miles South of us the ‘Lumo’ on the rigger screamed off with a good-sized Striped Marlin heading East. After the usual turmoil of getting the gear in order the fish was dutifully released and we set off again looking for another. Sadly though we did get another strike we didn’t hook up.
The bite was continuing South of us with a few Blue Marlin taken amongst the Stripies. I also heard there were a few fish taken around ‘Browns’ and further up the coast near the ‘Bait Station’ however South was definitely the place to be.
**hidden content**
Tight lines,
Ivan
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