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Darryl Wilson
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

Rating

4.5
84 reviews
4.5
Boat & Equipment
4.6
Captain & Crew
4.5
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

79%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
89%
Recommend this charter
89%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
70%
Caught fish

All reviews (84)

Showingย 1 โ€“ 5ย ofย 84ย reviews
  • Snow Hu
    Snow Hu
    au
    Australia
    Member since 2026
    4.7
    Verified

    July fishing trip

    Half Day Trip (AM) Share Charter โ€ข 5 adults โ€ข 3 children

    Great 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:
    Fingermark Bream
    Response from Captain

    Thank 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 Grundy
    Danielle Grundy
    au
    Australia
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great day!

    Half Day Trip (AM) Share Charter โ€ข 2 adults

    Even though the fish werenโ€™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 Captain

    Hi 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

  • Claudia Gan
    Claudia Gan
    sg
    Singapore
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    First Boat Fishing Trip! ๐ŸŸ

    Half Day Trip (AM) Share Charter โ€ข 3 adults

    It 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 ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘ Will come back again when we are back in Cairns!

    Response from Captain

    Hi 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 Bolsom
    Emily Bolsom
    au
    Australia
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    March fishing trip

    Half Day Trip (AM) Share Charter โ€ข 5 adults

    Had 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. Wasnโ€™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 youโ€™re in Carins and after a fishing charter, I highly recommend Fish Tales.

    Reported catch:
    Queenfish
    Fingermark Bream
    Black Jewfish
    Threadfin Salmon
    Response from Captain

    Thank 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

  • Katrina Atkinson
    Katrina Atkinson
    au
    Australia
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Caught my first Barra๐Ÿ˜€

    Half Day Trip (AM) Share Charter โ€ข 1 adult

    Rain, wind, sun and a Barra. Couldnโ€™t have wished for a better morning. Darryl was entertaining, knowledgeable, helpful and I would highly recommend this trip.

    Response from Captain

    Thank you Katrina for taking the time to write this review. We loved having you onboard and yes nothing like a little rain, a little wind as well as a little sun for a little barramundi! Congratulations to you! Many thanks Darryl and Raewyn Your Hosts of Fish Tales Charters

Real catches shared by our community

  • Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River Rocket
    Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River RocketCairns, QL
    Adult angler holding a large silver fish aboard a boat, with scenic tropical mountains and calm coastal water in the background.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Threadfin Salmon
    Manjula E.
    Manjula E.
    Highly recommend Daryl. He was friendly and knowledgeable. Did his best and he made sure we caught some fish.
  • Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River Rocket
    Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River RocketCairns, QL
    Adult angler proudly holding a large snook aboard a covered fishing boat in calm coastal waters.
    Katrina A.
    Katrina A.
    Rain, wind, sun and a Barra. Couldnโ€™t have wished for a better morning. Darryl was entertaining, knowledgeable, helpful and I would highly recommend this trip.
  • Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River Rocket
    Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River RocketCairns, QL
    Angler holding a large silver trevally or jack over coastal waters, with a fishing rod and shoreline visible in the background.
    Fish 1
    Giant Trevally
    Claudia G.
    Claudia G.
    It 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 ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘ Will come back again when we are back in Cairns!
  • Fish Tales โ€“ Don't Know
    Fish Tales โ€“ Don't KnowCairns, QL
    An angler proudly displaying a large fish while fishing in a serene river environment, surrounded by lush greenery.
    Fish 1
    Giant Trevally
    David W.
    David W.
    Darryl put us on the fish right from the start. Bull sharks were a problem but certainly a great day and I will be doing it again!
  • Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River Rocket
    Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River RocketCairns, QL
    A young angler proudly displaying a Yellowtail Snapper while fishing on a boat, showcasing a vibrant fishing shirt and a joyful smile.
    Fish 1
    Golden Trevally
    Adam J.
    Adam J.
    So apreciate the Captains time and energy wrangling 4, 10 year old boys and making it thebest birthday party our 10 yr old will be bragging about forever.
  • Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River Rocket
    Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River RocketCairns, QL
    Young angler proudly displaying a large fish while fishing in Cairns, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Mangrove Snapper
    Sondra K.
    Sondra K.
  • Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River Rocket
    Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River RocketCairns, QL
    Adult angler holding a large inshore fish aboard a covered fishing boat, with calm coastal water in the background.
    Chris C.
    Chris C.
  • Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River Rocket
    Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River RocketCairns, QL
    Angler proudly displaying a large Snapper while fishing on a boat, showcasing the excitement of a successful catch.
    Craig M.
    Craig M.
    Had a fantastic day out on the water with Darryl. Caught some delicious Fingermark Snapper. Would recommend Fish Tales Charters. Had a great day.
  • Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River Rocket
    Fish Tales Charters โ€“ River RocketCairns, QL
    An angler proudly displaying a large fish while on a boat, enjoying a day of fishing in a scenic location.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Giant Trevally
    Tia W.
    Tia W.
    My partner and I did a half day morning trip with Darryl and it was a GREAT! morning. We pulled in a few good fish and had an awesoke time chatting with Darryl, would definitely recommend!
  • Fish Tales โ€“ Don't Know
    Fish Tales โ€“ Don't KnowCairns, QL
    A young angler proudly displaying a large Red Snapper while fishing on a boat in open waters.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Gary G.
    Gary G.
    Great trip.

Our Fishing Locations

What's biting with Fish Tales โ€“ Don't Know in Cairns

Barramundi season closes until February. Billfishing remains excellent, with Sailfish being added to the mix of catches. The reef comes alive as the coral spawns and swimmers need to watch out for jellyfish.

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Angler proudly holds a large barramundi aboard a covered charter boat in a tropical Cairns estuary, with fellow adult anglers in the background.

Friday 5th September 2025

Sep 5, 2025ย โ€ขย 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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An angler proudly displaying a Black Bream caught while fishing in a scenic mangrove area.

August Estuary Fishing 2025

Aug 31, 2025ย โ€ขย 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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Adult angler proudly holding a large silver estuary fish on the water near Cairns, with mountainous shoreline in the background.

July 2025 Estuary Fishing in Trinity Inl

Jul 31, 2025ย โ€ขย 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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Adult angler proudly holds a large king mackerel aboard a boat in open blue ocean.

Sunday 13th October 2019

Oct 13, 2019ย โ€ขย 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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Adult angler holding a large wahoo aboard a boat in open ocean, with mountainous coastline visible in the background.

Saturday 12th October 2019

Oct 12, 2019ย โ€ขย Cairns
Only takes one Spanish Mackerel for Dave while reef fishing from Cairns. Guess the weight?
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Adult angler proudly holding a large snapper aboard a boat in coastal waters with mountains in the background.

Estuary fishing for Fingermark, Mangrove

Sep 27, 2019ย โ€ขย 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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