Princess Charlotte Bay Expeditions

Princess Charlotte Bay is one of the most diverse fishing regions in Australia. Opportunities are simply endless with pristine river systems, headlands, islands, reef and shelf options all boasting a plethora of iconic Australian sportsfish – those “bucket-list” fish we have all dreamt about. One of the biggest attractions of Princess Charlotte Bay is its sheer remoteness, being located approximately 125 nautical miles from Cooktown.

Trip Dates

Our adventures to only operate from February to May with reef and shelf fishing available through these months (subject to weather).

Headland and Islands: February and March

Headland and Rivers: April and May

Departures

The picturesque and nostalgic Cooktown is the location where all our trips depart. The vessels leave port in the afternoon, steam through the night and arrive in fishing paradise – Princess Charlotte Bay, the following morning. This is done to maximize the fishing time on location. After all, pleasing the punters is the most important component to Northern Conquest Charters operations.

Our mini bus and trailer service undertakes passenger transfers from Cairns to Cooktown and back again. (If clients choose to fly from Cairns to Cooktown, this service will be reimbursed).

Fishing is undertaken during the complete trip days and departure occurs after fishing on the last day has ceased. This is then followed by an overnight return to Cooktown. Please note that some travel during the mixed reef and bay trips, may occur at night to the southern reef areas.

Reef Boats

San Miguel is our mothership for these adventures. She is a spacious 65′ Conquest that provides comfortable accommodation for up to 10 guests. By the term guests, this of course refers to you mad keen fisher folk! Bring as much gear as you like, we have ample space for it! This vessel has fish processing ability that is second to none. It contains freeze element storage freezers that serve as a holding pen before your fish are filleted, bagged, labelled and transferred to the deep freeze by our dedicated crew. Looking after your catch is paramount. We aim to keep your fish in top condition so that when you sit down to enjoy it in weeks or months time, it will taste just as fresh as they day you caught it. San Miguel is the jewel in our crown, cementing a solid foundation as the pinnacle of reef fishing vessels in our fleet.

Tenders and Barra Boats

Tenders and barramundi boats are an important part of our arsenal and are a service we provide to our customers. We offer combinations of our 6 metre Goodwin, 6 metre Southwind Centre Console and a 5.3 metre Barra Punt. These vessels are excellent barramundi/sports fishing platforms with the two 6 metre vessels coming equipped with latest in side-scan fish finding technology. For those people who have not yet had the pleasure of using side-scan sonar, these units are a complete revelation, worth their weight in gold and are a real game changer. With all that water out there, they really swing the advantage the way of the angler. These vessels are excellent barramundi/sports fishing platforms with the two 6 metre vessels coming equipped with latest in side-scan fish finding technology. For those people who have not yet had the pleasure of using side-scan sonar, these units are a complete revelation, worth their weight in gold and are a real game changer. With all that water out there, they really swing the advantage the way of the angler.

Inclusions

- Complimentary bus service from Cairns to Cooktown and return
- Quality cooked meals on board with all snacks and hors d’oeuvres between meals
- Non-alcoholic drinks which includes soft drink, juice, water, tea and coffee

- Linen and towels
- Trolling lures for reef and shelf
- Terminal tackle for reef and shelf
- Prepared baits for the reef. Live baits in the bay and squid/pilchards for bottom fishing

Not Included

- This is BYO drinks. However, we can have this ordered and delivered to the boat in Cooktown. Please note that local liquor supply merchants in Cooktown may not be as cheap as large liquor merchants in large cities so please allow 15% above metro prices.
- All meals including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
- Complete on-board service
- Refreshments including coffee and tea
- Expert knowledge of prime fishing, snorkelling, swimming and island hopping destinations
- Guidance and tuition, support to all members and full tackle preparation, enabling any first timer to relax and focus on the impending catch of a lifetime
- Selected catch is cleaned, filleted and packaged for you to take home
- Both casting and trolling (exception being reef trolling lures)
- Rods and Reels. However, these can be hired for a small fee if you d3o not have your own.

Princess Charlotte Bay Prices

Princess Charlotte Bay price list for 6 day trips.

Individual Bookings $5,350.00.

Payment terms are 25% at time of booking with the balance 2 weeks before trip departure.

Belows table is for full boat bookings:

Number of Guests Boat Price Tenders & Barra Boats Supplied
3 $28,582 6 metre Goodwin
4 $37,098 6 metre Goodwin and 5.3 Custom Barra Punt
5 $37,589 6 metre Goodwin and 5.3 Custom Barra Punt
6 $38,027 6 metre Goodwin and 5.3 Custom Barra Punt
7 $38,342 6 metre Goodwin and 5.3 Custom Barra Punt
7 $47,550 6 metre Goodwin, 6 metre Southwind and 5.3 Custom Barra Punt
8 $47,865 6 metre Goodwin, 6 metre Southwind and 5.3 Custom Barra Punt
9 $48,181 6 metre Goodwin, 6 metre Southwind and 5.3 Custom Barra Punt
10 $48,495 6 metre Goodwin, 6 metre Southwind and 5.3 Custom Barra Punt

The Rivers

The regions rivers include the Marrett, Normandby, Bizant and the Kennedy which all boast exceptional numbers of barramundi, mangrove jack, fingermark, queenfish, salmon and much more.
We visit these systems after the wet season and during the time
known as the “runoff”.

Essentially this is the time when baitfish and nutrients are draining the extensive wetland systems and predatory fish take advantage of this situation, gorging themselves. This can only be
described as fantastic fishing in estuarine paradise.


Headlands and Islands

This encompasses the locales of Bathurst Head, Bathurst Bay and the Flinders group of islands and boasts some of the best fishing the area has to offer, particularly when the rivers are still running. The dirtier water forces large numbers of big barramundi out to the headlands and islands as they seek clearer water. Mind blowing results can be had here if timed correctly.

All this, coupled with exciting pelagic speedsters such as queenfish, Spanish mackerel, Giant Trevally (GT’s) and more will make you kick yourself that you hadn’t planned a trip well before now. In addition, there is some great jigging and soft plastic options available around the islands where punters will often encounter coral trout, fingermark and other reef species.

For those people who appreciate the finer things and want to take in the cultural significance of the place, there are options for bushwalks and the privilege of viewing of some of the most significant aboriginal rock art in the country.

Reef and Shelf Fishing

The reef and shelf fishing based out of Princess Charlotte Bay is nothing short
of spectacular, with distances as little as 16 nautical miles allowing access to the
continental shelf from the anchorage. This allows day trips to be a great option for
fantastic reef fishing.

As an added bonus, some of our packages can be tailored for multi day trips exploring the extensive reef systems both to the north and south of the bay. We are happy to speak to you about these options upon your request.

Red emperor, coral trout, Spanish mackerel and many more opponents are encountered on the reef and shoals and dog-tooth tuna, wahoo, dolphin fish (among many others) prominent on the shelf



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