The second half of the year saw the reef really turn it on. Glassy days, bent rods, and full eskies—this was classic Eastern Voyager territory, with two standout charters delivering everything from first-time fish to unforgettable birthdays and big-water thrills.
One of the biggest moments? A red-hot session where the crew caught over 200 fish in a single day—so many, they had to pull the pin early because the esky couldn’t take another fillet. Red Throat Emperor were the stars of the show, with the boys bagging out more than once across the week. Surface lures got a workout too, with GTs smashing topwater—including 90cm brutes landed by Blake and Bert. Not to be outdone, Bert also hooked a 25kg Sailfish, making it a trip he won’t be forgetting any time soon.
What made it even better? For most of the crew, it was a week of firsts. First Sailfish. First Red Emperor. First time yelling “get the gaff!” with a heart rate through the roof. Every dory came home with stories—and dinner.
Then came another late-season charter that brought more than just fish. Tom celebrated his birthday in style, complete with good mates, reef-to-plate meals, and a lot of laughs (shoutout to Randle, whose laugh became part of the sountrack of the trip). Mike’s Mangrove Jack, caught just off the edge of the reef, made a few jaws drop—and not just because of its size. Meanwhile, Matt Weston locked in biggest fish of the trip with a 55cm Coral Trout on a stick bait, proving once again that persistence (and the right lure) pays off.
There were more firsts here too—like the crew hand-feeding a lure to a massive GT right off the back of the boat. The sharks showed up to say g’day, the weather played nice, and the reef gave everyone a reason to keep their lines wet. The trip was capped off by a magic session on the flats at Big Sandy that ended the trip on an absolute high.
Add in fresh sashimi, taco nights, sunset beers, and good company—and you’ve got the kind of trip that doesn’t just fill the freezer, but the memory bank too.
From the action on the deck to the vibes around the table, these late-year trips were everything we love about reef life. And if you’re booked for the next one—or still dreaming—this is just a taste of what’s waiting out wide.
With warm regards,
Tony and the team
