Cairns
Trips from
US $209
Captain
Darryl Wilson
Cairns, Australia
50+ reviews
Captain Darryl grew up in Adelaide fishing with his brother from a very young age. 20 years later, he arrived in Cairns, and every possible moment became all about fishing and exploring. Captain Darryl became the owner-operator of Fish Tales Charters over 20 years ago, and after a decade of successful guiding decided to build the Don't Know to offer a variety of fishing charters due to the high number of repeat customers.
Charters
- CairnsTrips fromUS $104
Rating
4.5
83 reviews
4.5
Boat & Equipment
4.6
Captain & Crew
4.5
Fishing Experience
Anglers' gallery (65)
What anglers say
79%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
89%
Recommend this charter
89%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
71%
Caught fish
All reviews (83)
Showing 1 – 5 of 83 reviews
Snow Hu4.7VerifiedJuly fishing trip
Half Day Trip (AM) Share Charter • 5 adults • 3 childrenGreat experience, fantastic communication with captain as soon as we made the booking. Very knowledgeable and explained along the whole trip and very friendly to kids and funny. We caught 5 fish including 3 keepers. Fishing experience was good, unfortunately we had to move out the good spot because a cargo ship came in, but it was not something the captain could control. Otherwise we could have caught more for sure. Still, we highly recommend this trip!
Reported catch:
Response from CaptainThank you so much for taking the time to write this review! Very much appreciated. We loved having you on board! You guys were fantastic. Cheers Dazza and Raewyn at Fish Tales Charters
Danielle Grundy5.0VerifiedGreat day!
Half Day Trip (AM) Share Charter • 2 adultsEven though the fish weren’t biting, Darryl made our experience a memorable one. We had a great day and would definitely recommend booking a trip, I would however go a full day rather than the half day as the location sounds much more appealing for the big fish to play chicken with your bait. Thanks again for a brilliant day!
Response from CaptainHi Danielle, thank you for taking the time to write this review, it's very much appreciated. Great to met you and have you on board..until next time! Cheers Dazza and Raewyn Your hosts Fish Tales Charters
Manjula Ezra5.0VerifiedNEWGreat Charter!
Half Day Trip (AM) Share Charter • 4 adultsHighly recommend Daryl. He was friendly and knowledgeable. Did his best and he made sure we caught some fish.
Response from CaptainHi Manjula, Thank you for your review! We loved meeting you and your family and having you onboard. We do hope to see you again soon! Many thanks Darryl and Raewyn Your Hosts of Fish Tales Charters
Claudia Gan5.0VerifiedFirst Boat Fishing Trip! 🐟
Half Day Trip (AM) Share Charter • 3 adultsIt was the first fishing trip for the 3 of us and we loved it, even though we only caught a few fishes between the 3 of us. Captain Darryl is very experienced and funny 👍👍 Will come back again when we are back in Cairns!
Response from CaptainHi Claudia, Thank you for taking the time to write this review. We are so glad you had a great time; look forward to your return...until next time! Cheers Darryl and Raewyn Your Hosts of Fish Tales Charters
Emily Bolsom5.0VerifiedMarch fishing trip
Half Day Trip (AM) Share Charter • 5 adultsHad an awesome morning in the estuary with Darryl. He knows his stuff and is fun and easygoing, and as a group of mostly novices, it made the experience even better. Wasn’t the best fishing conditions but Darryl showed us how well he knows the area and everyone in the group scored a fish or two. If you’re in Carins and after a fishing charter, I highly recommend Fish Tales.
Reported catch:
Response from CaptainThank you Emily! Loved meeting you and your family as well as having you onboard! Many thanks Darryl and Raewyn your hosts of Fish Tales Charters
Real catches shared by our community
- Fish Tales Charters – River RocketCairns, QL
- Fish Tales Charters – River RocketCairns, QL
- Fish Tales Charters – River RocketCairns, QL
- Fish Tales – Don't KnowCairns, QL
- Fish Tales Charters – River RocketCairns, QL
- Fish Tales Charters – River RocketCairns, QL
- Fish Tales Charters – River RocketCairns, QL
- Fish Tales Charters – River RocketCairns, QL
- Fish Tales Charters – River RocketCairns, QL
- Fish Tales – Don't KnowCairns, QL
Our Fishing Locations
What's biting with Fish Tales – Don't Know in Cairns
Cairns is bustling with Marlin fishing charters, as visitors come from far and wide in the hope of catching a Marlin weighing over 1000 lbs. Inshore, Barramundi are biting actively. Mahi, GT, and Tuna are also caught.
Top catches for October
Fishing reports
Friday 5th September 2025
Sep 5, 2025 • Cairns
Congratulations to Jim and his 110cm Barramundi while estuary fishing in Trinity inlet, Cairns!
NOTE She was returned to the water safely!
One very happy fishing booker customer!
Cheers Dazza!
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August Estuary Fishing 2025
Aug 31, 2025 • Cairns
In Tropical North Queensland during the month of August not only do we see a change in the weather ie cooler nights, sunny days but can be very windy! Most of our charters are in the estuary of a morning. For the month of August the collection included Bream, small trevally, Queenfish, Hairtail, Javelinfish, Barramundi, Goldspotted Estuary Cod to name a few.
Cheers Dazza
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July 2025 Estuary Fishing in Trinity Inl
Jul 31, 2025 • Cairns
Estuary fishing in Trinity Inlet of Cairns over the cooler month of July was at times surprising.
At times our customers were able to see our resident estuarine Saltwater Crocodiles!
So cool to see back Long Head Hairtails in the estuary-it`s been too long! (definitely from the dinosaur era)!
Common caught fish species included Blue threadfin, Fingermark, Estuary trevally, Gold spotted estuary cod, Dusky Flathead, Mangrove jacks, Pikey Bream, juvenile Queenfish.
Loved having the kids onboard over the school holidays!
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Sunday 13th October 2019
Oct 13, 2019 • Cairns
Thanks so much to Laura and Michael for having the best day in Cairns. So good to meet you and to show you around. Target species Trout, Mackerel; caught and kept for dinner included Coral Trout & Spanish Mackerel-two of the best sportsfish with excellent eating qualities.
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Saturday 12th October 2019
Oct 12, 2019 • Cairns
Only takes one Spanish Mackerel for Dave while reef fishing from Cairns.
Guess the weight?
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Estuary fishing for Fingermark, Mangrove
Sep 27, 2019 • Cairns
Weekending Friday 27th September 2019
Estuary fishing in Trinity Inlet, Cairns has been producing Fingermark and Mangrove jacks all of good size as well as Queenfish; all caught on live-bait.
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