BLACK MARLIN CLASSIC HOOKS TOP ANGLERS
Tuesday, 20 September 2005
BLACK MARLIN CLASSIC HOOKS TOP ANGLERS
The Riviera Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic casts off from October 9 to 17. Recognised as the foremost tournament of its kind in the world, anglers will fish the famous Ribbon Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef near Lizard Island, hoping to tag one of the giant black marlin who gather at this time of year.
The annual event has been running for 19 years and will attract anglers from around the world, including London and New York. The 2004 tournament attracted 29 boats (many of which are the acclaimed Riviera series), and 77 participants who managed 294 strikes, 230 hook-ups, 132 tags, and one incredible black marlin that weighed in at 487kg.
Black marlin assemble in the waters off Lizard Island every year between August and December, with many guests returning to experience the adrenaline and excitement of the resort's "tag and release" fishing charters.
Fast, sleek, and enormously powerful, black marlin can grow as large as 4.5 metres and weigh up to 700kg; feeding off the tuna, mackerels, trevallies, and swordfish also found in the tropical waters off Lizard Island.
Voyages recently introduced "Fascination", a $1.2 million Riviera vessel for the resort's exclusive charters. As opulent as the award winning property, the sleek 51 foot platinum-hull fully enclosed flybridge cruiser offers a luxury experience of the Great Barrier Reef quite unlike any other.
Fascination operates year round thanks to the tuna, mackerel, trevally, and swordfish that escape the attention of the giant black marlin.
Voyages is an Australian travel company, providing experience-based holidays in spectacular wilderness locations including the Red Centre, Queensland, The Kimberley and Tasmania. Voyages operate award-winning properties such as Ayers Rock Resort, Longitude 131°, Lizard Island, Silky Oaks Lodge and Cradle Mountain Lodge.