Day Fishing
Six hours on the coastline and the local reefs. Enough time to fish properly without committing the whole day to it.
Scott fishes these waters rod and reel, year round. The same knowledge that plans an offshore day plans this one.
$660 per person
6 hours · Minimum 3 · Maximum 4 anglers
This trip sells by the seat, so you do not need a group to come out. Book one seat or book all four. It runs with three or more. We leave from the Lord Howe Island jetty.
Day Fishing or Offshore
We run two fishing trips and they are built for different people.
Day Fishing is this one. Six hours on the coastline and the local reefs, with the gear and the rigs matched to whoever is holding the rod. If you have never fished, this is where you start. If you fish often, it is a good six hours without giving up the day. It sells by the seat, so you do not need a group.
Offshore Fishing is eight hours on the far grounds and the outer reefs, heavier gear, and the day planned around where the fish are rather than around the clock. Whole boat only, on request, because it takes the whole day and the whole boat. That trip is for anglers who came here to fish.
If you are not sure which suits, tell us who is coming and how you go on a boat, and we will give you an honest answer.
How the day runs
Scott works out the run on the morning. Close in that usually means jigging or casting for kingfish along the reef edges, plastics over the drop-offs, or live baiting, depending on what has been going on that week.
Six hours is enough time to move if a spot is not working, which is the difference between fishing and just being out on a boat.
Four rods maximum. That is not a marketing decision, it is what works when a good fish is on and everyone needs room.
What you are fishing for
Kingfish are the main event. The ones here are their own fish, thick skinned enough that chefs who have worked with both cannot cut scale them the way they would a mainland fish. Trevally and reef species come into it too, depending on the day.
Winter is the best of the kingfish. That runs against the visitor season, which suits anyone willing to come outside summer.
You will lose fish to sharks. Hooked fish get taken here more often than they used to, and there are a few techniques we can try to avoid them. Scott will move you off a spot when it starts happening. It is part of fishing this place.
Your skipper
Scott Wilson grew up on Lord Howe Island and has fished these waters his whole life. When he is not running charters he is fishing rod and reel, supplying the island’s restaurants. Same water, same methods, same fish.
What that means for your day is that the plan comes from being out here week in, week out, rather than from a chart.
New to it, or been at it a while
If you have not fished before, Scott will rig you up and talk you through it, and you will be fine. Six hours is a good way to find out whether you like it.
If you have fished a lot, you are on the boat with someone who jigs, pops, live baits and deep drops for a living. Tell us which when you enquire and the trip gets planned accordingly.
What is included
- Rods, reels and tackle supplied
- Bait and lures included
- You are welcome to take your catch, within bag and size limits
- Bring your own gear if you would rather fish it
- Marine toilet on board
- Food and drink are not supplied — bring your own, and there is room to keep it cool
What to bring
Water, something to eat, sun protection, soft-soled shoes, a light layer, and your camera. If you are prone to seasickness, take your preferred remedy the night before rather than on the morning.
Alcohol
Enjoy yourself but do not ruin it for other people. No glass on board either way.
In the water
We do not offer snorkelling or any in-water activities on our charters.
Weather and conditions
Trips are weather led. Scott makes the call, and on the morning he decides whether the trip goes, whether it runs somewhere different, or whether it does not run at all. That decision is his and it is final.
If we cancel
We will offer you another date within your stay if we can. If nothing works, or you would rather not reschedule, you get a full refund.
If we cut a trip short
Sometimes conditions change once we are out. If we come in early because of weather or a safety issue, we will work out a partial refund with you based on the time you had on the water.
If the trip does not reach three
Day Fishing runs with three or more. If we do not reach three we will tell you as early as we can, and you can move to another date or have a full refund.
If you cancel
More than 14 days before your trip, full refund. Between 14 days and 48 hours, we will refund you less a 20% booking fee. Inside 48 hours, no refund, although we will always try to move you to another date if we have one.
If you do not arrive
We wait 30 minutes past the departure time. After that the trip is treated as a cancellation inside 48 hours.
Getting to the island
Flights to Lord Howe are affected by weather more often than most. If your flight is cancelled or delayed and you cannot make your trip, tell us as soon as you know and we will move you to another date within your stay if one is available. If we cannot, the cancellation terms above apply.
A note on the marine environment
These waters are part of a marine park, and they are our home. We fish to sensible limits, follow the marine park rules, anchor on sand rather than coral, and handle fish destined for release with care. The goal is simple: these waters should fish this well for the next generation of Islanders and visitors.
Common questions
Where do we meet, and what time?
The Lord Howe Island jetty. The time moves through the week, because Fin cannot get out of the lagoon on a low tide. Your departure time comes with the Sunday email, once the week’s tides and forecast are set. If you are working around a flight or another booking, tell us and we will flag anything tight before you commit.
Can I book a single seat?
Yes. That is how this trip works. Seats are $660 each and the trip runs with three or more. If we do not reach three we will tell you as early as we can and either move you to another date or refund you in full.
Who else will be on board?
Up to three other anglers, sometimes fewer. If you would rather not share, take all four seats and the boat is yours for the six hours.
Do I need fishing experience?
No. Scott will set you up and talk you through it. Tell us when you enquire whether you are new to it or fish often, so the trip fits.
Can I bring my own gear?
Yes. Plenty of people prefer to fish their own rods. Tell us what you are bringing and Scott will plan around it.
Can we keep our catch?
Yes, within bag and size limits.
Is it suitable for kids?
Better suited than the offshore day. It is shorter, closer in, and easier if someone is not enjoying themselves.
Children need to be at least four years old and at least 15 kg, because that is the smallest lifejacket we carry and it has to fit properly before we leave the jetty. A parent or guardian comes aboard with them. Tell us their ages and rough weights when you enquire so we can sort this out before you pay rather than on the morning.
What if we do not catch anything?
It happens. What we can tell you is that Scott puts you in the best water available on the day.
More questions are answered on the FAQs page.
Other trips
Offshore Fishing
$3,300 per charter
8 hours · Whole boat · Maximum 6 guests, 4 anglers
Scenic Cruises
$1,100 per charter, or $275 per person
2 hours · Minimum 2 · Maximum 6 guests
All prices include GST. Trips are weather led. Scott makes the call on the morning.