Bernd Hess
Captain

Bernd Hess

Cairns, Australia
250+ reviews
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.

Charter

Rating

4.5
311 reviews
4.5
Boat & Equipment
4.7
Captain & Crew
4.3
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

84%
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
88%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
97%
Satisfied with the boat
64%
Caught fish

All reviews (311)

Showing 15 of 311 reviews
  • Michael Johnston
    Michael Johnston
    au
    Australia
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fantastic fishing experience

    Half Day Trip (PM) – Shared6 adults

    Booked the afternoon session with 6 friends, our captain Byrne ( not sure of spelling) was a great host, funny, helpful, knew the area, had some great stories, and had some feathered friends who knew his vessel which added to the experience, caught a few small fish and some that took out lines that put up a huge fight (must have been huge!!) esky with ice onboard because what’s fishing without beer right!!

  • Andrew Dean
    Andrew Dean
    au
    Australia
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Great trip ,great skipper Bernd, great group of people.

    Half Day Trip (PM) – Shared2 adults

    Had a great day, skipper catching bait, having great banter with him and the rest of the group. Beautiful weather . Fingermark snapper caught a few times.I wouldhighly recommend this down to earth, chilled fishing trip. take a few beers and relax.

  • Sharon Finlay
    Sharon Finlay
    au
    Australia
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    relaxing day out

    Half Day Trip (PM) – Shared2 adults

    even though we didnt catch fish personally, it was still a great arvo on the water. the group on the boat witb my partner and myself were a.good bunch and the captain was friendly and joined in the banter

  • Gyorgy Greg Nahoczky
    Gyorgy Greg Nahoczky
    au
    Australia
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great fishing experience

    Half Day Trip (AM) – Shared2 adults

    We had an amazing half-day fishing trip in Cairns! Bernd was fantastic, the boat was clean and comfortable, and we caught some great fish including cod, fingermark, and a queenfish. Everything was well-organized from start to finish, and we will definitely book again when we are back in Cairns! Thank you

    Reported catch:
    Queenfish
    Cod
  • Peter Goodman
    Peter Goodman
    au
    Australia
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fun fishing in Cairns

    Half Day Trip (AM) – Shared1 adult

    Great to be fishing in sheltered waters while still having a chance to catch some good fish. The skipper worked hard to ensure everyone had the best chance for a catch. I ended up with a good size Queenfish as well as a GT. A really good day and great value.

Real catches shared by our community

  • Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
    Paradise Sportfishing AdventuresCairns, QL
    Fishing with Bernd
    Paul T.
    Paul T.
  • Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
    Paradise Sportfishing AdventuresCairns, QL
    Great trip ,great skipper Bernd, great group of people.
    Andrew D.
    Andrew D.
  • Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
    Paradise Sportfishing AdventuresCairns, QL
    relaxing day out
    Sharon F.
    Sharon F.
  • Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
    Paradise Sportfishing AdventuresCairns, QL
    Fun fishing in Cairns
    Peter G.
    Peter G.
  • Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
    Paradise Sportfishing AdventuresCairns, QL
    Excellent
    Wayne C.
    Wayne C.
  • Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
    Paradise Sportfishing AdventuresCairns, QL
    Great fishing experience
    Gyorgy G.
    Gyorgy G.
  • Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
    Paradise Sportfishing AdventuresCairns, QL
    would go again
    Christopher O.
    Christopher O.
  • Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
    Paradise Sportfishing AdventuresCairns, QL
    Fishing with Bernd
    Noel W.
    Noel W.
  • Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
    Paradise Sportfishing AdventuresCairns, QL
    Mixed bag all good
    Greg S.
    Greg S.
  • Paradise Sportfishing Adventures
    Paradise Sportfishing AdventuresCairns, QL
    A really great trip
    blaise t.
    blaise t.

What's biting with Paradise Sportfishing Adventures in Cairns

Spring arrives, and with it comes humidity, which will build up until the rainy season arrives in December. Heavy tackle season starts as female Black Marlin come to the reef to spawn. 

Top catches for September

Fishing reports

A young angler proudly displaying a large fish while fishing with friends on a boat in a scenic river setting.

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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Two anglers proudly displaying a large Barramundi while enjoying a fishing trip in a mangrove setting.

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

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!!

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

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

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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