The Kimberley region is the essence of the Australian outback. Base camp is El Questro, one of the world’s largest cattle stations. Larger than many European countries! El Questro is a million acre Wilderness Park that is open to tourists and fishermen who chase Australia’s premier sports fish, the Barramundi. Before arriving at El Questro host Marc Vincent learns how to fish for Barramundi with Greg “The Hairy Dog” Harman. He is one of the most unforgettable characters you would ever meet and a true outback legend! “Hairy Dog” operates fishing tours on the Ord River, an hour from where he picks Marc up at the Kimberley gateway, Kununurra. He works with his aboriginal mate “Black Jack” who claims to have no other name and has forgotten his age! The “Hairy Dog” is a very tough taskmaster but Marc is able to catch a Barramundi and also experience the sublime scenery of the Ord River. A memorable day’s fishing is capped of when a giant Salt Water Crocodile gobbles up what’s left from the days catch. Marc drives on into the heart of the spectacular Kimberley Region and we witness some of outback Australia’s most remarkable landscapes featuring giant Boab trees and glowing red cliffs. Arriving at El Questro he meets his fishing guide, “The Colonel”. After the “Hairy Dog” experience he is wondering how tough “The Colonel” might be. As it turns out “The Colonel’ and his off-sider “Kevro” (please note nicknames are mandatory in the Australian outback) are young suburban guys who have re-invented themselves as outback fishing guides. The pressure is on “The Colonel” to catch Barramundi and things don’t go well at first. Stunning scenery makes up for the lack of fish, but soon an alternate plan is devised. The boys bring in air support and Marc is whisked off Heli-fishing to the remote Durak River. The Heli-fishing is a huge success with everyone landing a good size
We venture to Port Lincoln in South Australia in search of the world’s most feared predator – the Great White Shark. Marc Vincent meets Rolf Czabayaski at the Hotel Boston (a classic Aussie pub). Rolf is one of Australia’s leading Great White Shark experts. He was once a shark hunter, but such is his fascination with these creatures that he now works with conservationists tagging and tracking them. Fours hours steaming due South on Rolf’s magnificent boat, the Calypso Star, Marc arrives at North Neptune Island. The colonies of seals are a good indication that there will be Great Whites as they love to “snack” on the pups. Rolf soon has a blood and burley trail from the boat. Not surprisingly Marc is a little nervous about getting into the flimsy aluminium cage with the sharks. The scene inside the cage is very surreal as the clouds of blood envelope Marc. The sharks don’t arrive. Over dinner Rolf promises an increasingly confident Marc that they will come tomorrow. Marc wakes to a stunning sunrise over North Neptune Island. He decides to explore the island. As soon as Marc leaves the Calypso Star the Great Whites arrive. They rip clean through the rope attaching the Tuna bait to a buoy. Marc returns to the boat and slips into the shark cage. A huge Great White appears and glides within inches of Marc in a chilling close encounter. For a while it’s uncertain as to whether the shark wants the tuna carcasses or Marc inside the cage! Then the shark makes it very clear as it tries to get at Marc in a memorable shark meets man sequence. Back at Port Lincoln Marc is still trying to come to terms with this remarkable experience when the publican at the Boston Hotel puts it all into perspective -“Don’t forget there’s more sharks on the land than there are in the sea”
Arriving at Nadi airport, the tourist gateway to Fiji, Marc Vincent catches a flight to the more remote and underdeveloped island of Vanua Levu. The principal town of Vanua Levu is the spectacular Savu Savu. The scenery around the bay and surrounding hill country convinces Marc that the unspoiled South Pacific still exists. There are rumors that a Kapena Nelson, a Hawaiian Big Game fishing legend has chased a girl half way across the Pacific to Savu Savu. He sounds exactly like the type of fisherman who could find Marc some Mahi Mahi fishing action. Mahi Mahi or Dolphin Fish are an exquisite fluorescent lime green. Marc meets Margie who manages the resort he is staying at. The beautiful and shy Margie directs Marc to meet Kapena at the Savu Savu Bay wharf, but neglects to tell him that SHE is the girl Kapena has chased across the Pacific! As expected Kapena Nelson is found on his boat getting the tackle ready for the next fishing trip. Marc and Kapena enjoy a couple of cold beers and plan tomorrow’s fishing as the sun sets on a remarkable location. The next morning Kapena and Marc are straight into the action. The conditions are perfect on the blue waters of the Koro Sea. It’s clear that Kapena is an amazing teacher with a very Zen way of seeing the world. He coaches Marc through every step. Marc catches an ideal Mahi Mahi for his training and then hooks a bigger Mahi Mahi. They also catch a very big Skipjak Tuna that they bring onto the boat. That night the Skipjak becomes delicious Sashimi. Margie, Kapena and Marc celebrate a fantastic day at sea and plan the next. Marc had recently completed his basic scuba training and was ready for his first open water dive, and what better place than Fiji. Soon Marc is in an underwater wonder world with his instructor Danny leading him through all the necessary steps until he is fully qualified. Back into the fishing with Kapena and there is more Mahi Mahi action. At dawn
The “razor gang” is a group of pelagic fishes known for their razor sharp teeth. They can travel speeds of up to 75kms under water. Marc is targeting one of the prized members of the “razor gang”, the Spanish Mackerel. Starting in Cairns Marc drives through Cooktown and then onto Munbah where he meets an aboriginal elder, Les Gibson. Les is a delightful, sprightly 65 year old who takes Marc under his wing teaching him how to spear fish as well as other traditional hunting methods. Along the way they catch Coral Trout and visit the haunting coloured sands, which are part of Dreamtime mythology. The highlight of Marc’s stay at the rustic beach shack is when Les leaps into the water to capture a turtle. Marc wonders whether he will be doing the same thing at 65! The journey then continues north to an aboriginal community at Seisa. As Marc arrives the sun is setting and everyone, young and old, is on the wharf catching huge numbers of fish. The next day and Marc meets up with “Mad” Tim Reilly (his words, not ours) who will be his fishing guide in the waters just off the Cape York Peninsula. It soon evident that fishing with Tim will be huge fun and this part of Australia is a fishermen’s paradise. Marc and Tim are immediately catching a variety of species including a small Spanish Mackerel. But the boys really want a big one and they plan the afternoon’s tactics as they lunch on just one of the many deserted islands dotted along the coast of this remote part of Australia. As the sun is fading Marc hooks a big fish, which after a challenging fight is a sizeable Spanish Mackerel. Satisfaction, as the boys steam back to Seisa wharf where the locals are still hauling in the fish! All that is left is for Marc to continue his journey to the northernmost tip of mainland Australia, which he does on foot. Standing at the tip of the top, Marc reflects on what’s important to him and how Les Gibson and Tim Reilly i
Marc arrives in New Zealand’s North Island to experience a truly unique form of angling, heli-fishing off the remote rocks of Great Barrier Island for Snapper. In Auckland, New Zealand’s international gateway Marc makes his way to the city’s heliport to meet his guide, Bill Hohepa. Bill is a strapping, part Maori “mountain of a man” with a grin as wide as his shoulders. The idea of heli-fishing is to reach inaccessible places that can only be reached by helicopter. Great Barrier Island and its wave-swept rocky ledges are a prime heli-fishing destination. Bill soon has Marc perched on the edge of spectacular rocks and is passing on his “Snapper Secrets”. Within no time at all Marc has reeled in a mini version of the target species and Bill looks happy as the fishing is starting to heat up. Unfortunately the weather starts to turn sour as the waves start to pound closer and closer to the rain soaked fishermen. After Bill recounts a couple of near misses while rock fishing (reckoned to be the most dangerous recreation in the world) the decision is made to lift off and call it a day. Great Barrier Island is a spectacular place, which earned its name from the fact that it literally is a barrier between New Zealand’s North Island and the wild Southern Pacific Ocean. Marc takes a dawn walk around the island while Bill explains the unique independence of the locals and Island’s geography. Later that morning Bill and Marc join the game-fishing boat, the Angie. With skipper Rob at the helm things are looking promising. The weather begins to deteriorate just as the Snapper begin to feed. Marc and Bill manage to bring in a few medium sized fish. Finally they catch one decent sized Snapper, which has everyone smiling. Just as well, as the conditions turn really nasty and they have to make a “bone-jarring” run for the safety of the harbour. Wild weather prevents any further fishing on Great Barrier Island, but Bill did pass on an
The Marlin is regarded as the ultimate game fishing experience and Marc sets of for three days of extreme fishing based on Lizard Island. Lizard Island is perched on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The island is an exotic hideaway for the rich and famous. It is also the home to a marine biology research station, which is where Marc is bunking down. With a day to spare before getting out on a boat Marc retraces the footsteps of English explorer James Cook. He climbs up to “Cook’s Look” the highest point on the exotic island. Before long Marc is back at beach level and enjoying a snorkel amongst the amazing coral and marine life of the Great Barrier Reef. At dawn Marc is picked up at the research station to meet skipper Steve Haggarth and his crew on the impressive “Force”. Without delay they start trolling several lures and baits in an attempt to raise and hook a Black Marlin. Over the next two days numerous big fish are caught, including a sizeable Spanish Mackerel and a huge Potato Cod, but no Marlin. There is a close call when the trolling bait is hit by a Marlin. On the final day of fishing with a new boat and a new crew, Marc is after a giant billfish with a man called Bill Billson. You soon learn that everything is bigger with Bill. He is a huge genial man with a reputation as “the” Marlin skipper working the Lizard Island area. Bill seems completely at ease with the pressure as Marc settles in with his new crew including the lively “Flash” (the Traceman). As time ticks away it seems as if even Billson is going to fail. Then when all seems lost, on the last afternoon of the last day, a Marlin is on. Marc who had been snoozing in the cabin is suddenly in the chair and hooked up to a feisty Black. The Marlin leaps and fights spectacularly and even though it is only approximately 200lbs it still almost manages to haul “Flash” over board. Marc is absolutely thrilled with the fight as the Marlin is released, and
Lord Howe Island is one of the most unique places off the East Coast of Australia. The species of fish we are targeting is Doubleheader Wrasse and it can only be found in the island’s spectacular blue lagoon. The Lord Howe locals have a reputation for fierce independence and that has helped them protect their Pacific Idyll from developers. Gary Crombie is Marc’s fishing guide and a sixth generation Lord Howe Islander. Gary is an impressive looking man with a striking mohawk hair cut. The water in the lagoon is so clear that Gary can actually spot the fish for Marc and coach him through every single step of the fishing process. In no time at all Marc is finding out why Doubleheader Wrasses are such a challenge. The fish actually pull the boat around in its effort to break off on the coral. With Gary’s expert coaching Marc is able to land a fish and marvels at their uniqueness and an appearance “that only a mother could love”. On the next day Marc meets up with another local Harry Rourke. Harry is a younger model of Gary and his family have also been on the island for six generations and established the famous Pine Trees Lodge. The family fishing boat is the Albatross, a fine old craft that once ferried passengers of the Flying Boats that stopped off at Lord Howe in the 1950’s. Nowadays the Albatross is Harry’s fishing boat and soon Marc is wishing he hadn’t taken on a bet with Harry over who could catch the first fish (using bread as bait). Marc settles up with a swim around the boat. Gary Crombie wants to try and get Marc a really big Doubleheader and they are soon out again after collecting some crabs for bait. The imposing twin mountains that are Lord Howe Island’s most recognisable feature (other than Gary’s Mohawk) are shrouded in clouds and mist as the fishing begins. Marc manages to catch and release several more Doubeheaders as his time is starting to run out on this fishing adventure. Suddenly a big one is on the
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s finest scenic drives but one of the most difficult places to fish. Marc’s trip is based around beach fishing for Australian Salmon beneath the spectacular Twelve Apostles rock formations. The trip starts well when Marc throws caution to the wind and rents an expensive convertible sports car. Along the way some of locals don’t think too much of the fancy car, but as Marc twists and turns along the Great Ocean Road he knows he has made the right decision. Marc’s first beach fishing training is at the impressive and windswept Levy’s Beach with Gary Warren. Marc and Gary persevere but frustratingly there is only one bite and Marc loses the fish just as he was beaching it. Marc had also planned to fish on the only boat that works from Port Campbell but when he arrives in town he finds out that the skipper is in hospital, and it’s rumoured to be alcoholic poisoning! In the tradition of country hospitality “Fuzz” and Vince, two of the sick skipper’s mates, agree to help Marc out and put the boat in, although Fuzz isn’t too sure he has made the right decision when he sees Marc’s fancy sports car. Once out on the boat the boys all get along fine and soon they are pulling up a wide and wonderful variety of fish species in the shadow of the magnificent Twelve Apostles. The next day they get onto a school of one of Australia’s best table fish and it is a “Flathead Frenzy” Later at the pub they decide to go beach fishing and surfing the next day and suddenly what looked like a disastrous fishing trip is turning into a beauty, courtesy of country hospitality. Cheers! As dawn eases in Marc meets Fuzz who takes him to his “secret spot” at the base of one the Apostles and soon Fuzz is showing off his moves as he and Marc surf an area usually reserved only for locals. That afternoon Marc is able to bring in his first beach fish and his first Australian Salmon and so the trip is comple
Marc joins a luxurious fishing boat that cruises one of the world’s few remaining true wilderness areas – The Kimberley Coast of Western Australia. Marc’s target species is the Queenfish The adventure begins at remote Faraway Bay where tourism pioneer Bruce Ellison makes arrangements for Marc to be picked up on the beach by the charter boat “The True North’s” own chopper. Marc’s fishing guide is the skipper and owner of the boat, Craig Howson. Craig is a real character with an extra “dry” sense of humour and a mischievous sense of fun. The helicopter lands on the top of “The True North” which is passing through some magnificent gorge country and Marc sets off on a reconnaissance mission on foot. At the top of one towering cliff Marc spots a school of big Queenfish, which really wet his appetite for the fishing ahead. Craig gives Marc a tour of “The True North” and then the skipper explains that Marc won’t actually be staying on the boat, but rather in the “outback suite”. Marc can hardly complain as he sets up his camp on the edge of Eagle Falls overlooking an idyllic billabong. The fishing from “The True North” is actually done from the little “tinnies” it tows behind. Soon Craig and Marc are skimming towards some of the best fishing and scenery you could imagine. Craig and Marc are soon jousting over hats, lures and who will catch the first and biggest Queenfish. No matter what Marc seems to do Craig always has him covered even when they race “first to five” catching another local species, Mangrove Jacks. The remainder of the trip is more spectacular camp locations and fantastic Queenfish action. When the trip finally comes to an end, Craig decides to let Marc stay on the boat for “one” night. Marc should have realised that Craig would have the last laugh as he sets his tent up on top of the boat, next to the chopper!
Geoff Thomas has written several best selling fishing books and one of these is “Trout Secrets” so who better to teach Marc the time honoured craft of fly fishing. Marc is to meet Geoff on Lake Tarawera a short drive from the steaming geysers and bubbling mud pools of Rotorua and home to abundant trophy size Rainbow Trout. New Zealand’s North Island is famous for its trout fishing lakes and that may have something to do with the mineral rich waters that feed these waterways. In fact Rainbow Trout were originally imported from California in the 1890s and the NZ side of the family has evolved so spectacularly they are now being exported back to the USA to improve their breeding stocks. Marc and Geoff are staying at a house on the lake owned by Geoff’s great mate, John Donald known as “JD”. The home is more like a hunting lodge full of sporting memorabilia. On the banks of picturesque Lake Tarawera Geoff proceeds to conduct a master class on casting. After a few early tangles Marc starts to gets the basic idea and Geoff reckons they are ready to chase a fish. The weather is poor, in fact it is soon pouring with rain. Marc quickly establishes that it’s important to have a good time as well as catch fish with Geoff. Mark and Geoff chat about the qualities of trout fishing and the serenity of mountain lakes and break into song. As they persevere the rain tumbles down and still they catch no fish. Although drenched they depart for JD’s lodge with high spirits. As the sun sets the three of them sit back with a relaxing drink and talk about what brought them to this place and the history of Geoff and JD’s friendship - even Jacko the dog listens with an attentive ear. Early the next morning and Geoff is down on the shores of the lake honing his casting as the dawn reveals the tranquil beauty of the lake in the shadow of Mount Tarawera, a now dormant volcano. Once they reach the location of the morning’s fish, no time is wasted in
The Cook Islands are a South Pacific paradise and the most beautiful of the islands is Aitutaki. Marc is targeting the Giant Trevally that inhabits the coral reef that surrounds the island. It’s immediately obvious that the Aitutaki locals are a pretty laid back bunch and why not? They live in one of the most idyllic places on earth. Marc’s fishing guide is Mark Baxter. Apparently if you want to get anything done on Aitutaki you need to talk to the Baxter Brothers. Mark is a huge “bear” of a man who puffs away on his cigarettes and keeps the conversation to an absolute minimum. The two boys leave the dawn calm of the lagoon to troll along the outside of the surf, which breaks onto the edge of the coral reef. Marc soon finds out that casting into the surf on a rocking boat is not as easy as it looks and after several unsuccessful attempts all he manages to hook is our sound recordist in the head! With casting technique under control Marc finally gets a bite, but the fish busts him off on the coral. The rest of the day (and twilight) is spent without a bite. The next morning Mark Baxter decides that they might need some help so he brings along his younger brother, Clive. However, the result is the same and big Mark seems on the verge of giving up on the un-cooperative Giant Trevally. After a pep talk the boys decide to fish on the other side of the island where the water is rougher. The change in location pays immediate dividends and soon Marc has a Blue Fin Trevally in the boat. Clive bags another Blue Fin and lunch is suddenly a celebration that continues on into the night at the Aitutaki Game Fishing Club. The boys take a day off from fishing and Mark snorkels the magnificent lagoon and explores some deserted coral cays with two local girls Tao Maao and Jeneta Baxter. On the final day of fishing the weather is a bit wild, but Mark is determined to get the boat into the fishing zone as close to the surf break as possible. Marc so
Marc is heading towards “The Bay of Plenty”, which also features the White Island active volcano and the world’s largest Yellowtail Kingfish. Before the tackle busting challenge of the Kingfish Marc gets some basic training with Wayne Wordsworth, fishing for Kahawai on his boat “Orsum” “The Bay of Plenty” is noted for its rich sea life and soon Wayne is trolling through boiling schools of Kahawai. Fishing with light tackle the Kahawai provide a great fight, but they are only baitfish and a warm-up for the main event, the Yellowtail Kingfish. Marc flies to White Island on a helicopter for a reconnaissance mission and walks around this remarkable landscape. White Island is an active volcano, which has a history of eruptions in the 20th century. Marc then joins Rick Pollock at Whakatane Harbour to begin his Kingfish adventure. Rick’s charters leave at dusk and he steams 3-4 hours into the night to reach White Island. Once at White Island Marc is put to work with the deckhand Matty to catch baitfish, including netting flying fish. As the sun rises Marc realises he is fishing at the base of White Island, which looms ominously over the boat. Rick begins training Marc up as they only have a four-hour window in which to land a mighty Kingfish. Pressure begins to mount as Marc manages to hook one and then loses it. Just as Marc is cursing his luck he gets another hit and this time there is no mistake that he has a big Kingfish, well and truly on. The Kingfish pulls so hard the rod seems to be about to snap and Marc seems to be at his absolute limit as he wrestles the big fish to the surface. Matty the deck hand proves to be very innovative when he leans over the side of the boat and hauls in a very big Yellowtail Kingfish by hand. There is only enough time for Marc to cradle the impressive fish for one photo before it is returned to the fertile waters surrounding White Island volcano. Marc is left spent, yet exhilarated, and as Ri
For Marc the best thing about Friday afternoons is that you can escape from the crowds and traffic of the city and “Go Fishing”. In this final episode, Marc is able to re-live that “get away’ feeling and reflect on the best moments from the series. The production team travelled throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in search of the ultimate fishing adventures and travelling to a fishing location is often as much of an adventure as the destination and fishing itself. The goal was always to catch a particular fish and Marc managed to hook a wide variety of target species from the exotic Mahi Mahi to the unique Doubleheader Wrasse of Lord Howe Island. There were many types of fishing that challenged Marc including fly fishing for Rainbow Trout, Helifishing and beach fishing. Boats play a huge part in any fishing adventure and Marc was out on the water in a wide variety of crafts. Nothing quite compared with “The True North” the luxury “live aboard” on the Kimberley Coast. Although the simple pleasures of fishing in aboriginal elder Les Gibson’s “tinnie” were hard to beat. The locations in which Marc fished ranged from tranquil mountain lakes to active volcanoes. For some reason fish seem to hang out in some of the most beautiful and spectacular places on earth. A highlight of “The Big Fish” was the fishermen who taught Marc how to fish and more than a bit about life as well. Who could forget “Hairy Dog”, the crusty Barramundi man from the Kimberley or the very Zen Kapena Nelson from Savu Savu in Fiji. The series title is “The Big Fish” and that is what Marc was always after. The series provided three outstanding examples of really “big fish” - The Great White Sharks off Port Lincoln, the Yellowtail Kingfish off White Island and the unforgettable Black Marlin on the Great Barrier Reef.