Cairns River Fishing
Your Cairns River Fishing adventures on the smooth waters of the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers and Mutchero Inlet. The day begins in the shadows of Mountains and takes you through Rainforest covered Russell River National Park; the rivers start out as freshwater but turn to saltwater as it moves closer to the mouth, before finally entering the ocean and flowing out to the Great Barrier Reef.
The Russell & Mulgrave Rivers and Mutchero Inlet is approximately 40kms South of Cairns, along the Bruce Highway in Far North Queensland, Australia is lesser known yet is nestled under Queensland’s highest mountain, Mt Bartle Frere. It has premier sport fishing on offer, from bait to lure to fly-fishing.
Why not come and join a Smooth Water River Fishing Charter for the experience of the REAL Tropical Far North Queensland fishing charter.
On all our river fishing charters we supply the following gear PENN 460 slammer reel on a 8-10 kg ugly stick with 10 kg mono fishing line. If you prefer you can bring along your own fishing gear.
On our popper fishing charters we supply is PENN 360 slammer reel on a Shimano raider rod with 10 kg braid fishing line.
The land and waters of Goldborough Valley are the traditional country of the `Dulabed malanbarra Yidinji speaking clan`. They called the Mulgrave River `Bana Baddi`.
Check out our fish gallery https://fishtales.com.au/fish-gallery/
River Fishing for Black Spotted Estuary Cod
River Fishing for Black Spotted Estuary Cod on board vessel `River Rocket` and fishing guide `Darryl`
River Fishing for Giant Trevally on Poppers with Rob Panevanos
River Fishing for Giant Trevally on Poppers with Rob Panevanos Caranx ignobilis
River fishing for Giant Queenfish on Poppers
River fishing for Giant Queenfish on Poppers 40 kms south of Cairns Scomberoides commersonnianus
River fishing on the Russell River
River fishing on the Russell River approximately 40 kms South of Cairns
Giant Queenfish aka Queenie caught by Joshua from USA
Giant Queenfish aka Queenie for Joshua from USA Scomberoides commersonnianus
Photo of the Day with Fish of the Day
Photo of the Day with Fish of the Day
Queen Fish Parker from USA
Queen fish on Popper for Parker from USA
River fishing for Trevally
Guided river fishing charters from Cairns Caranx ignoblis
River Fishing with the Kids
Fishing with the Kids on the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers
Giant Queenfish aka Queenie #1 for Tyson from USA
Popper fishing for Giant Queen Fish for Tyson from USA Scomberoides commersonnianus
Meet the Locals! at the Russell River Boat Ramp
Meet the Locals! at the Russell River Boat Ramp
River fishing for Giant Trevally using Poppers
Guided fishing charter for Giant Trevally Caranx ignoblis
River Fishing on the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers for Mangrove jack
River Fishing on the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers for Mangrove jack Lutjanus argentimaculatus
River Fishing for Golden Trevally
River Fishing for Golden Trevally on the Mulgrave & Russell Rivers and Mutchero Inlet Gnathanodon Speciosus
Giant Queenfish aka Queenie #2 for Parker from USA
Parker from USA and his second Giant Queen Fish Scomberoides commersonnianus
River fishing for Giant Queenfish on Poppers
River fishing on the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers for Giant Queen Fish on Poppers Scomberoides commersonnianus
River Fishing for Fingermark (Golden snapper) with mates.
River Fishing for Fingermark (Golden snapper) with mates. Lutjanus johnii
River Fishing for Giant Trevally on Poppers
River Fishing for Giant Trevally on Poppers Caranx ignobilis
River fishing on the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers for Mackerel
River fishing on the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers for Mackerel
Giant Queenfish#2 aka Queenie for Tyson from USA
Tyson#2 Giant Queen Fish from USA Scomberoides commersonnianus
River fishing for Giant Trevally on Poppers
River fishing for Giant Trevally on Poppers Caranx ignobilis
Giant Queenfish aka Queenie caught by George from USA
George from USA popper fishing for Giant Queenfish aka Queenie Scomberoides commersonnianus
Cairns River Fishing
Share Charter
Your Cairns River Fishing Charter is conducted on the Russell and Mulgrave Rivers and Mutchero Inlet (app. 40kms South of Cairns).
Whether it is a day of lure fishing for Mangrove Jack,
or a day of popper fishing for Giant Trevally
or lure fishing for Giant Queenfish,
or live-bait fishing for Fingermark,
or dead bait fishing for Barramundi.Selection of fishing spots maybe be choosen upon tidal movement, weather conditions as well as taking into account your fish target species for your Cairns River Fishing Charter. During the months of May, June, July and August this can fish extremely well with Giant Queenfish and Giant Trevally as well as Mangrove Jack, Fingermark and the famous Barramundi. This is a full day of fun, exploring and fishing!
Departure and Arrival details
- Pick up around 6.30 am from Cairns, to which we transport everything including the vessel and trailer to the Mulgrave & Russell Rivers and Mutchero Inlet.
- Drop off in Cairns around 4.30 pm (app.),
We supply on your fishing charter
- All the top quality rods & PENN SLAMMERS reels,
- All the bait (dead/live) & tackle,
- Cold bottles of water,
- A delicious lunch is provided
- Esky with ice on-board,
- and you will be guided by our experienced fishing guide for the day.
We ask you to wear
- Wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and wide brim hat.
We ask you to bring along
- Your sunglasses, sunscreen, camera and or action camera and a few beers are okay (cans only).
- Require more information? Email us
Full Day River Fishing
6.30am to 4.30pm (app.)
Maximum of 4 people per charter
Bait (live/dead) fishing and or Popper fishing
Your Cairns River Fishing Charter is a full day of fun, exploring and fishing on the river system of the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers and the Mutchero Inlet approximately 40 kms south of Cairns. This is a day of fun, exploring and fishing. Pick up from Cairns at 6.30 am (confirmation the night before, pick up point to be confirmed) for transportation. Drop of in Cairns 4.30 pm (app.)
We supply the following
- All top quality rods & PENN SLAMMERS reels,
- All bait (dead/live) & tackle,
- Including lures/poppers (supplied on basis if lost to be repalced),
- A delicious lunch,
- Cold bottles of water,
- You will be guided by our experienced fishing guide.
We ask you to
- Wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and wide brim hat
We ask you to bring
- Your sunglasses, sunscreen, camera and a few beers (cans only) are okay.
Require more information? Email us
$240 per person
Cairns River Fishing
Private Charter
FULL DAY RIVER FISHING
6.30 am to 4.30 pm (app.)
Up to 4 people lure/popper fishing
Up to 4 people bait (live/bait) fishing
Your Cairns River Fishing Charter is conducted on the Russell and Mulgrave Rivers and Mutchero Inlet (app. 40kms South of Cairns) with multi-fishing locations, spots, snags there is a multitude of fish species to catch.
Whether it is a day of lure fishing for Mangrove Jacks,
or a day of popper fishing for Giant Trevally
or using Surface Lures for Giant Queenfish
or live-bait fishing for Fingermark
or dead bait fishing for Barramundi–the day is tailored to include your fishing needs & wants including target species. This is a full day of fun, exploring and fishing!
We supply on all our river fishing charters
- All top quality rods & PENN SLAMMERS reels,
- All bait (dead/live) & tackle,
- All lures & poppers (supplied on basis if lost to be replaced),
- Cooled bottles of water & tea/coffee,
- Esky with ice,
- A delicious lunch,
- Transfers to and from Cairns Accommodation House or re-organised pick up/drop off location,
- and you will be guided by our experienced fishing guide.
We ask you to wear
- Your long sleeve cotton shirt and wide brim hat,
We ask you to bring along
- your camera, sunscreen, raincoat, sunnies and a few beers (cans only) are OK.
- Require more information? Email us
Full Day River Fishing
6.30am to 4.30pm (app.).
Maximum of 4 people per charter.
Bait (live/dead) fishing and/or lure/popper fishing
Your Cairns River Fishing Charter is conducted on the Russell and Mulgrave Rivers and Mutchero Inlet (app. 40kms South of Cairns) with multi-fishing locations, spots, snags there is a multitude of fish species to catch.
Whether it is a day of lure fishing for Mangrove Jacks,
or a day of popper fishing for Giant Trevally,
or using Surface Lures for Giant Queenfish,
or live-bait fishing for Fingermark,
or dead bait fishing for Barramundi–the day is tailored to include your fishing needs & wants including target species. This is a full day of fun, exploring and fishing!
We supply on all our river fishing charters
- All top quality rods & PENN SLAMMERS reels,
- All bait (dead/live) & tackle,
- All lures & poppers (supplied on basis if lost to be replaced),
- Cooled bottles of water & tea/coffee,
- Esky with ice,
- A delicious lunch,
- Transfers to and from Cairns Accommodation House or re-organised pick up/drop off location,
- and you will be guided by our experienced fishing guide.
We ask you to wear
- Your long sleeve cotton shirt and wide brim hat,
We ask you to bring along
- your camera, sunscreen, raincoat, sunnies and a few beers (cans only) are OK.
- Require more information? Email us
$960 for up to 4 people
COMMONLY CAUGHT
RIVER FISH SPECIES
Barramundi
Lates calcerifer
Barramundi also known as a Barra. Has a soft and delicate white flesh; size is generally to 150 cm and 60 kg. The minimum size limit of 58 cm to maximum size limit of 120 cm and has a closed season from 1st December to 1st February to allow for spawning. Starts life out living in Freshwater of rivers and creeks, then ventures downstream into estuaries and coastal shallows. They are well-known and sought-after for their aerobic abilities when hooked.
Blackspotted Estuary Cod
Epinephelus malabaricus
Commonly referred as `the coral trout of the estuaries`. The flesh is coarse yet creamy texture. Delicious table fish species. Size up to 180 cm and 100 kg. Minimum size limit is 38 cm to 120 cm. Usually lives alone or in small groups, covering a variety of habitats from rivers and estuaries to offshore reefs. Commonly caught is the gold spotted estuary cod and the black spotted estuary cod.
Blue Threadfin
Eleutherioema tetradactylmn
Are distinctive coloured from silvery blue, to silvery white or yellowish-white in older fish. Has four pectoral filaments that are short and thick. Minimum size 40 cm with a limit of 10. An excellent table fish.
Fingermark
Lutijanus johnii
Fingermark maybe known as Golden snapper. Can grow up to 10 kg in weight. Live mainly around mangrove-lined estuaries, to the rocky headlands, but are mainly around the bottom of the snag. Has superb fighting ability and excellent eating qualities. Has a distinctive finger mark on below anterior soft dorsal fin.
Giant Queenfish
Steph and her Queenfish
Scomberoides commersonnianus
Queenfish also called a Queenie; they are vicious feeder and strong fighters. Often get schools in shallow water but generally alone. Can grow up to 120 cm and 14 kg. Target species for Sports Fishing, the larger ones are preferred to cook fresh.
Giant Trevally
Carangoldes gymnostethus
Giant Trevally may also be called a GT. Can grow up to 170 cm and over 60 kg. Live mainly in schools. A sought after angling tropical fish for eating qualities yet the flesh quality can vary between species from pale & dry to dark & oily. Commonly called GT`s.
Golden Trevally
Gnathanodon speciosus
Easily distinguished by its fleshy, rubbery lips and unqiue colouration ranging from bright yellow with black bars as a juvenile to golden-silvery colour as a adult.
Golden Trevally uses its protractile jaw to suck out prey from the sand/reef to consume a variety of fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Can grow up to 120 cm in length.
Goldspotted Estuary Cod
Epinephelus coincides
Commonly referred as `the coral trout of the estuaries`. The flesh is coarse yet creamy texture. Delicious table fish species. Size up to 180 cm and 100 kg. Minimum size limit is 38 cm to 120 cm. Usually lives alone or in small groups, covering a variety of habitats from rivers and estuaries to offshore reefs.
Mangrove Jack
Lutjanus argentimaculatus
Mangrove jack commonly referred to as a `Jack. Can grow to 120 cm and 16 kg. Has a minimum size limit for 25 cm. The juveniles live in the mangrove estuaries then when matured they prefer the shelters inshore coral reefs. For the fisher person they have excellent fighting abilities, as well as being a good quality table fish.
Mudcrab
Scylla Serrata
Commonly called a Muddy. Prefer muddy bottoms amongst the mangrove, in swallow water. Pots or dillies are the main method of capture but will take bait from line fishing. In Queensland, only male are taken, with a minimum measurement of 15 cm across the carapace; no take for females. Mud crab possession limit reduced to 7. The cooked flesh is moist, flaky and sweet. Or chilly mud crab!
Tarpon
Megalops cyprinoides
Tarpon also known as Oxeye Herring, they are deep and skinny yet don`t let the silver fool you. While most species are around the 1 kilo mark, they can grow up to 2.5 kilos and be up to 60 cm in length. The reality is, Tarpon (Oxeye Herring) are hard hitting with strong fighting abilities. Make a note, Tarpon (Oxeye Herring) will jump and then throw the hook (as they have the hardest mouths). Not recommended as a table fish however they make the ultimate sportsfish species.
Mon 6:30am–8:30pm
Tues 6:30am–8:30pm
Wed 6:30am–8:30pm
Thur 6:30am–8:30pm
Fri 6:30am–8:30pm
Sat 6:30am–8:30pm
Sun 6:30am–8:30pm
4 Victory Close,
Edmonton, Queensland, 4869, Australia.