Captain
Bernd Hess

Member since July 2014 Cairns, Australia
Background
Captain Bernd i am a local born and raised in Cairns. Started fishing since i was 8 years old. I have alot of experience with using live bait and try to teach what i know. I have been operating Paradise Sportfishing for 10 years.
Techniques
On a charter with Paradise Sportfishing we specialise in live bait. Each charter commences with Bernd the guide, throwing the cast net in search of Herring,Sardines,Prawns or Mullet. Sometimes it only takes a couple throws to get enough 'livies' to last the morning. Then it's time to anchor up on a wreck,snag,drain or rubble patch and put the live baits down. Simple but most effective gear: single hook and sliding sinker. Let your bait hit the bottom and.......WAIT!!

Hey, I'm Captain Bernd Hess

Cairns, Australia
Background
Captain Bernd i am a local born and raised in Cairns. Started fishing since i was 8 years old. I have alot of experience with using live bait and try to teach what i know. I have been operating Paradise Sportfishing for 10 years.
Techniques
On a charter with Paradise Sportfishing we specialise in live bait. Each charter commences with Bernd the guide, throwing the cast net in search of Herring,Sardines,Prawns or Mullet. Sometimes it only takes a couple throws to get enough 'livies' to last the morning. Then it's time to anchor up on a wreck,snag,drain or rubble patch and put the live baits down. Simple but most effective gear: single hook and sliding sinker. Let your bait hit the bottom and.......WAIT!!
304
Reviews
10
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

Paradise Sportfishing Adventures

Excellent
4.5 / 5
(304 reviews)
Cairns
 Last booking: 8 hours ago
Trips from US $108

Fishing Reports

Big blue salmon
Big blue salmon
Jul 3, 2026 Cairns
Such a great day out fishing this morning with some big salmon around and fingermark in the trinity inlet.
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QUALITY FISHING AROUND THE NEW MOON
QUALITY FISHING AROUND THE NEW MOON
Feb 20, 2020 Cairns
The fishing heated up around the recent new moon in Cairns' Trinity Inlet. Although the live bait was challenging to find,the extra effort with the cast net was well worth it. The morning incoming tide was the most productive. Fishing on pressure points,some solid Barras were unable to resist the live baits. Queenfish and Blue Salmon also made an appearance. As the tides are getting smaller,we will be able to target the deeper holes again. The Full moon is soon approaching and the Big Tides are sure to produce some hot action again. Cheers Paradise Sportfishing Cairns
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Summer Fishing Reprt
Summer Fishing Reprt
Feb 26, 2017 Cairns
It has been super HOT,WET and HUMID,but the fish have been biting. We've had plenty of rain in recent weeks and Trinity Inlet has had a solid,much needed flush of fresh water. While the live bait has been elusive at times,it's been worthwhile putting in the extra effort to get Sardines,Mullet and Prawns. The Black Moon is upon us once again with big incoming tides pushing hard in the mornings. Fingermark,Jacks and Barras have been hooked the past couple of charters. The pressure points right up close to the mangroves will continue to produce some solid predators during the next few mornings. Then, in a few days time when the tides get smaller ,we can get back to fishing the deeper runs and wrecks. The goal on every charter,is for you to end up at the Salt House Restaurant at The Pier getting your catch prepared for lunch or dinner. It's not a 100% success rate,but we put in a consistently strong effort on each outing. In the past couple weeks,Queenfish over a meter,Fingermark up to 70cm and Barras up to 80 cm have been landed. Cheers, John H Paradise Sportfishing Cairns
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SUMMER CONDITIONS HEAT UP THE ACTION!!
SUMMER CONDITIONS HEAT UP THE ACTION!!
Sep 21, 2016 Cairns
The recent northerly winds are a sign of the return to Summer Conditions. The water temperature in Trinity Inlet has been on a steady rise for the last couple weeks! The BARRAMUNDI are definitely becoming active and there have been a number of hookups on recent charters. The start of the peak Barra season is still another month away,but already we are getting consistent action. Taking the time to chase Mullet with the cast net has become worthwhile again! The other species,Queenfish,Mangrove Jacks,GT'S Fingermark etc have all become much more active. One of the recent highlights was Local Junior Angler Ruben from Edmonton landing hid first Barra. It was a 67cm very respectable Whopper!! Check out the smile in the photo. Tight Lines,hope to fish with you soon, John H Paradise Sportfishing Cairns
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Seasons Are Changing
Seasons Are Changing
Aug 26, 2016 Cairns
It came without warning! All of a sudden the last few days the temperature has been on the rise and the winter conditions are leaving us! I always look forward to the arrival of September as the fish in the inlet begin to switch on from the rising water temperatures. Sure enough the last few charters have produced some quality fish. Our friends Taylor and Chlorise from Canada and France caught a mid sized Barracuda.While not a table fish it did put up a great fight. Ted and Jill caught a nice Queenie that jumped several times.As they were caravanning it was just the right size for the evening meal. The best fish of the last couple days was Chad and Rachael's 80 cm Jew Fish! It put up a terrific fight and was cooked up tropical style wrapped in a banana leaf!! The live bait continues to be abundant and along with the usual sardines a few prawns have been collected as well. Once again the black moon and the incoming morning tides are but a few days away. Big baits on the pressure points in close to the mangroves should start to produce some early Barras! Cheers John H Paradise Sportfishing Cairns
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Tropical Winter Fishing in Cairns
Tropical Winter Fishing in Cairns
Aug 10, 2016 Cairns
We are in the middle of Winter here in Cairns and the conditions have been tough! Along with the low water temperatures we have had unseasonal rain thrown in to the equation. Quite a few mornings we have had the rain coats on during the entire charter. The good news is that the live bait has been abundant,and except for the elusive Barramundi the other species have been on the bite. Some solid Queenfish,Giant Trevelly,Fingermark and the occasional Threadfin Salmon have been landed. I have had to go to lighter leaders and smaller hooks as the predators are just a little more weary this time of year. Rather then the large live baits that work well during summer,the smaller herring and the occasional fillet bait have been producing. The Salthouse Restaurant at The Pier has done a fantastic job of cooking up the fresh catches for our anglers. Don't let the wet conditions discourage you as it is still in the high twenties and the fish are still active. The full moon is upon us tomorrow and the big incoming tides in the mornings will surely produce good action for the next 4 to five days. Cheers, See you soon. John H Paradise Sportfishing
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.5 / 5
out of 5 stars from 304 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.5 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (131)
Fun fishing in Cairns
Fun fishing in Cairns
Excellent
+128
Angler rating
194
72
22
6
2
Anglers claimed
Good experience
84%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
86%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
97%
Caught fish
64%
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Showing:
5 of 304 reviews
Gyorgy N.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great fishing experience

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (AM) – Shared on August 10, 2026
We had an amazing half-day fishing trip in Cairns! Bernd was fantastic, the boat was clean and comfortable, and we caught some...
Gyorgy N. recommends Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
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Peter G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fun fishing in Cairns

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (AM) – Shared on August 20, 2026
Great to be fishing in sheltered waters while still having a chance to catch some good fish. The skipper worked hard to ensure...
Peter G. recommends Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
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Peter G. recommends Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
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Michael J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fantastic fishing experience

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) – Shared on June 6, 2026
Booked the afternoon session with 6 friends, our captain Byrne ( not sure of spelling) was a great host, funny, helpful, knew...
Michael J. recommends Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
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Michael J. recommends Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
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Christopher O.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Would go again

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (AM) – Shared on August 2, 2026
windy raining wild weather didn’t stop us went and got some live bait with a cast net next thing it was fish on great fun...
Christopher O. recommends Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Christopher O. recommends Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
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Andreas F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Perfect day!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) – Shared on November 17, 2025
Perfect half day fishing trip with the fantastic captain John! captain John is just a great guy with lots of experience...
Andreas F. recommends Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
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Andreas F. recommends Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
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