Gold Coast Fishing Blog

Hook up some fresh fish for Easter!

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:06:48 +1000

Good Friday is only a couple of days away. It's your last chance to hook up some fresh fish for Good Friday Lent! We are operating everyday over the Easter weekend so jump onboard FV Fat Hooker and join us for a bunch of Easter fun including easter eggs for the all kids (including the big ones!). The weather is looking great and the mackerel are biting. Call us on 0411 60 50 90 to secure your spot for the Easter long weekend.

The Newton family with their catch of cobia and mackerel

Sustainable Seafood Day | Friday 16 March 2012

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:22:50 +1100

Can you imagine a future without fish? Today is Sustainable Seafood Day. There are currently 4 MSC certified fisheries in Australia, with another 3 in full assessment. There are also more than 100 MSC certified frozen and canned seafood products available in retailers in Australia. Look for the blue MSC ecolabel or visit http://www.msc.org/ - Let's reward and celebrate the fisheries that have met the MSC standard and ensure we have a future full of fish. HAPPY SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD DAY!

Certified Sustainable Seafood Logo

Dolphin Footage

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:33:14 +1100

This friendly dolphin was checking us out on FAT HOOKER while deep sea fishing on a perfect Gold Coast summer's day. Just another day at the office for us! Footage by Gilly

'Coxy's Big Break' on Fat Hooker

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:06:09 +1100

We had the pleasure of filming a deep sea fishing segment for the Victorian hit travel show, "Coxy's Big Break" on the weekend. Despite the rough conditions, the sun was out and the boys had fun hooking up a few Spanish mackerel and mack tuna. The segment will be aired on Channel 7 later on in the year.

Joey being interviewed on "Coxy's Big Break

"Seven Degrees of Fun at the Sevens" Competion Winner - Congratulations!

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:55:50 +1100

Congratulations to Laura Burato, winner of the Gold Coast Tourism & Tourism Queensland "Seven Degrees of Fun at the Sevens" Competition. Lucky Laura's name was drawn out of 18,537 entries to win a trip to the Gold Coast with seven friends and the opportunity to enjoy seven experiences on the Gold Coast over seven days. Experiences included a round of 18 holes of golf at RACV Royal Pines and a Half Day Fishing Charter onboard FV Fat Hooker with Gold Coast Fishing Charters! Laura and her friends had a great time and caught a nice feed of snapper and flathead. Congratulations Laura!

Thumbs up!

Catch of the month | November 2011

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:49:55 +1100

This 10kg Yellowtail Kingfish was caught on FV Fat Hooker on Sunday morning, 27 November, on a half day deep sea fishing charter. Congratulations!

10kg Yellowtail Kingfish

Catch of the month | October 2011

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:17:14 +1100

Kane and his mates cleaned up on Saturday for his bucks party with this great catch of amberjack, pearlies, kingfish and snapper caught on the 50's. Good job fellas and best wishes for the wedding Townzy!

Christmas Functions on FV Fat Hooker

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:33:37 +1100

Why not opt for some outdoor fun this festive season and host your Christmas party aboard FV Fat Hooker for a deep sea, game or calm water fishing trip? We have many options and packages to suit all budgets and can organise restaurant bookings and accommodation upon request. Our friendly and professional crew will have your guests feeling welcome before they set foot on the boat.

To book your fun and memborable Christmas function this summer, call us on 0411 60 50 90 or email info@goldcoastfishingcharters.com.au.

Catch of the month | August 2011

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:03:00 +1000

Catch of the month for August 2011 goes to Reg Hodges with his 20kg Cobia! Caught on live tailor on the N/E 24 fathoms. Reg wins a $50 BCF gift card for his efforts. Great catch Reg!

Reg with a 20kg Cobia

Launch of Ladies Day | Every last Sunday of the month!

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:45:43 +1000

OK ladies, would you love to go deep sea fishing but feel intimidated by the guys? Why not join us for Ladies Day? Every last Sunday of the month! Jump onboard with a bunch of great girls who love fishing and having a laugh and our loveable crew can give you as little or as much help as you like. Our next Ladies Day is a full day fishing charter on Sunday 25 September 6am-3pm. Call us on 0411 60 50 90 for a great day with some great company.

The girls getting amongst it!

The perfect gift for Father's Day

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:08:52 +1000

Stuck in ideas of what to get Dad for Father's Day? Hmmm... Let me think... I know! A day out on FV Fat Hooker! We have gift certificates available for a full or half day fishing charter. It's a great way to spend quality time together and you can even benefit by treating yourself! Call us on 0411 60 50 90 to ensure you are Dad's favourite this weekend!

Father and son with a great catch to take home

Humpback whale getting in on the action

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:38:16 +1000

It seems everyone wants to get in on the action with Fat Hooker! This humpback whale was giving itself a relaxing belly scratch on AJ's fishing line while he was reeling in a whopper. Priceless!

More than 1 million plastic bags saved

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:37:10 +1000

Outdoor franchise BCF has saved an estimated 1.64 million plastic bags since the introduction of $1 green bags in January 2010.

In Townsville alone the amount of plastic saved from the removal of shopping bags has reached a phenomenal 27,400. BCF boss Steve Doyle says it's just another way for BCF to lessen the impact of its carbon footprint.

"Every business needs to step up and do all they can to help the environment, this is just one way we're trying to make a difference," he says.

"Protection of the environment should be second nature to everyone, whether they indulge in the outdoors like our customers or not."

BCF is part of an Australian Packaging Convenant Action Plan to reduce the impact of packaging and to increase recycling initiatives.

"We're going to continue to do everything we can to protect the future for the culture of boating, camping and fishing," says Doyle.

BCF environmental bags are available for $1 as an option to customers, with newspaper used for consumables such as frozen bait.

Launch of our BCF & BWS promotion

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:33:45 +1000

Gold Coast Fishing Charters are excited to announce the launch of their new BCF & BWS promotion. If you would like to book a private charter for your next special occasion, we want to help you celebrate! The Fat Hooker crew would like to make your special occasion even more special by throwing in a $50 BCF or BWS voucher for every private game fishing, deep sea fishing or calm water fishing charter. You can use the voucher as a special gift to the birthday boy/girl, the lucky groom-to-be, drinks for your Christmas party or anything at all! For more details or to make a booking please call us on 0411 60 50 90.

Ladies making the most of their free BWS voucher

Snapper Ban lifted by People Power

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:25:44 +1000

Queensland anglers have had a major win, as the State Government have announced they will scrap a six week fishing ban on snapper, pearl perch and teraglin species next year.

The Queensland Government received heavy pressure from recreational fisherman, charter operators and commercial fisherman after the controversial six week ban was set in place in February this year without any notice or hard evidence showing snapper stocks had plummeted by 65 per cent since the 1940’s or that the proposed ban would effectively replenish fish stocks.

Fishing charters on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and far north would lose income as a result of the ban from a decrease in customer sales and the Government’s plan to tax anglers for catching snapper. Fishing on the Gold Coast has been hit hard with the natural disasters earlier in the year and a decline in tourism as a result of the strong Australian dollar. The snapper ban would just be another major blow. With the ban lifted next year, snapper fishing on the Gold Coast will remain active for anglers and tourists all year round.

Acting Premier Paul Lucas said the future of snapper could be ensured without imposing bans. The Premier stated, “We have to balance the need to protect this species, the jobs the fishing industry provides and the right for Queenslanders to chuck in a line. We are still committed to rebuilding snapper stocks, but doing it in such a way that doesn’t threaten industry or the Queensland way of life.”

A new sustainability plan is underway, which will be reviewed in three years. Anglers can now take 4 snapper instead of 5 and only 1 can be more than 70cm. Also, a voluntary online monitoring program will commence and a new recreational fishing advisory group will be formed to advise the Government on fishing policy.

So let's go fishing!

Catch of the month! April 2011

Thu, 05 May 2011 13:30:49 +1000

This 18kg Wahoo was caught deep sea fishing on Fat Hooker using lures in mid April. Nice catch!

Nigel holding an 18kg Wahoo on Fat Hooker with Gold Coast Fishing Charters

Catch of the month! March 2011

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:10:49 +1000

Our March 'Catch of the Month' goes to Aliza Luck and her 20kg Mahi Mahi or Dolphin fish, caught on lures. What a great day out on the water!

A 20kg Dolphin fish or Mahi Mahi caught aboard Fat Hooker with Gold Coast Fishing Charters

Launch of our new Loyalty program!

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:27:17 +1100

To say thanks to all our customers we are proud to announce the launch of our new Loyalty Program! If you have had a great time on Fat Hooker, you can sign up to receive $20 off your next 3 fishing trips and get your 4th trip absolutely FREE!

Condtions: the program is non-transferable. The free 4th trip is to be of equal value to the least expensive charter during your program.

For more information please call us on 1300 GC FISHING.

Catch of the month! February 2011

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:20:58 +1100

We are pleased to announce the February 'Catch of the Month' goes to James with his 18kg Wahoo! The Wahoo was caught on lures and put up a pretty good fight. Well done James!

An 18kg Wahoo caught on Gold Coast Fishing Charters

New TV Advert for Gold Coast Fisihng Charters

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:45:24 +1100

Check out Gold Coast Fishing Charter's new TV advert! Time to get out on the deep blue sea fishing Gold Coast style! Make a day of it with Gold Coast Fishing Charters! Jump aboard our 41ft Stebercraft 'Fat Hooker'. 18 of you can head out for half a day, the full day or let us tailor a charter specifially for you. You can even keep your catch. Perfect for your mates, great for work, awesome for a bucks party and great for the family!

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