Chase the big ones
Reef · River · Estuary
Local knowledge. Big fish.
Blackout Sportsfishing is locally owned and operated in Cairns, Far North Queensland. Your guide, Kerry Bailey, has spent more than 20 years in the charter industry, working across many of the region's fishing operations, building an intimate knowledge of the local inshore river systems and the offshore reef and wreck sites along the way.
You'll fish from a beautifully fitted-out Badjcraft custom aluminium, powered by a 140hp four-stroke Suzuki. With a maximum of three people aboard, there's plenty of room to move, and the whole day runs at your pace.
We specialise in reef, river and estuary fishing — deepwater bait fishing, wreck bumper barring, jigging, light game fishing, pelagic trolling, lure casting, live baiting and more. We'll put you on the best times and tides, and with our local knowledge in your corner, the catch of a lifetime is at your fingertips.
Our reef fishing is amongst the best in North Queensland, with quality rods, reels and tackle all provided. So you can be sure to get a
Pick your water
Browse our range of available charters below.
Click to viewReef & wreck sites, table fish and light-tackle pelagics.
Fish various reef and wreck sites for the numerous pelagic and reef species that inhabit this majestic area. Catch delicious table fish such as red emperor, coral trout, nannygai, spangled emperor, sweet-lip and fingermark. Light tackle fish for Spanish mackerel, cobia, sailfish and giant trevally.
A true fisherman's paradise!
Click to viewDaintree, Mulgrave, Russell and Johnstone Rivers.
You choose. We fish the pristine Daintree, Mulgrave, Russell and Johnstone Rivers. All these rivers are surrounded by majestic mountainous rainforest. Targeted species include barramundi, mangrove jack, fingermark, queenfish, trevally and many more.
A true fisherman's paradise!
Click to viewSolo trips and extended multi-day adventures.
Individual private bookings ensure you fish when, where and for what you want.
G.T sports fishing — lure and popping (max 2 anglers) — or reef and wreck fishing.
Overnight and multi-day trips available by special request.
Tell us what you're chasing and we'll sort the rest. We can accommodate several forms of fishing within the one charter,
ie: Reef & River, Estuary & Reef etc.
All charters include:
An interactive reel-in — tap the water and see what's biting across our reef, river and estuary waters.
Recent catches
What our anglers say
Kerry put on an amazing day for me and without a doubt one of the best fishing charters I have ever been on. Great scenery, attention to detail, intuition, and most importantly, put us on the fish! By the end of the day I think we caught well over 15-20 fish, including some nice Mackerel, Trevally and Cobia. Sherryl provided a nice lunch and great communication in the lead up to the day. I will certainly be using Kerry’s services again in the future.
Have been out with Kerry many times now, the best in the business! not just a good operator but a genuinely great bloke too. Always puts us on to great fish. Highly recommended.
What this man doesn’t know about the reef and the target species…. is not worth knowing. Legendary and a great person to talk you through the fish of a lifetime. My young man just wanted a GT, that was completed first cast of the day on the right spot! The rest of the day was just chasing more of them and plenty of others along the way.
The highlight of the day was the popper fishing – hands down the best I’ve ever experienced! The action was non-stop, with incredible catches of giant trevally, Spanish mackerel, and even a massive cobia. The adrenaline rush of hooking such powerful fish in the stunning surroundings of the Great Barrier Reef is something I’ll never forget. I’ll definitely be back for another adventure soon!
I had a great day out fishing with my two boys. The boat is an open centre console with plenty of room for three passengers to fish and nice high gunwales to make you feel safe when fighting fish. We fished with live and dead baits, jigs and stickbaits. Sherryl packed us some lunch which was well received after a big morning of fishing. Thanks Kerry and Sherryl.
Absolutely fabulous day with Blackout Fishing. Just brilliant with only 3 on the charter. Kerry sure knows where to find the best fishing spots. Best fishing experience in Cairns. Thank you very much and we will be back.
Before you board
Tell us what you're chasing
