Marlin competition a chance for bragging rights

Port Douglas Marlin Challenge

Shaun Hollis

Journalist

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Pat and Jim Hutton from Mossman Ice, Boat and Tackle Shop say they've heard some tall stories from fishermen. Picture: Bryan Littlely

One of your best chances is looming to reel in a legendary giant of the sea, with the annual marlin fishing competition to be held in the region this month.

The annual Port Douglas Marlin Challenge will be held from November 20-23, where game fishers from far and wide will be hoping to earn bragging rights by hooking a prized fish.

The area is known for being one of the best marlin fishing areas in the world, and all participants will be dreaming of catching a coveted 1000 pounder.

Long-term Mossman Ice Boat and Tackle Shop owners Pat and Jim Hutton say, although marlin are generally reserved for the high-end fishing market based out of Cairns and Port Douglas, a “select few” more grassroots local fishers sometimes pull one in.

Pat says her and husband Jim have heard plenty of tall tales of big fish - including marlin and mackerel - throughout their 38-year experience in the industry.

“You hear some stories,” Pat says.

“They’re all good ones, you’ve just gotta work out which ones are true.”

And people occasionally turn up to the shop with the real-deal marlin on board.

“We had two guys from Bermagui (in NSW) who wanted to store theirs in our fridge,” Pat says.

And one local recently posted on a Mossman Boat and Fishing Club social media page a photo of himself with a more than 1.5m mackerel.

Fishing in the Port Douglas Marlin Challenge will start at 11am on Wednesday, November 20, with the presentation night to be held on Saturday, November 23, at Salsa Bar And Grill.

For details go to portdouglasmarlinchallenge.com

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