Ballina Byron Fishing Charters

Charter Fishing - Ballina Byron Fishing Charters

Deep Sea Fishing Adventures in Ballina.

Ballina is situated at the mouth of the Richmond River. A large coastal town, Ballina has all the facilities you would expect with extensive shopping, food outlets and accommodation.

Fishing is excellent in the surrounding area, a large river which is navigable for all the 88 miles to Lismore, offering Bream, Flathead, Mulloway, Whiting and the ever-present Mud Crabs. Freshwater fishing is popular for Australian Bass from about Woodburn upstream.

Beach fishing is abundant with the beaches to the south able to be driven on by 4wd, and rock fishing to the north from Ballina to Byron Bay.

OFFSHORE

Offshore the fishing is superb, some close reefs like Riordans, and Lennox are great for Snapper, Teraglin, Mulloway and Flathead with the mackerel here from December to April. Wider reefs are where Ballina comes into its own. The local DPI Fad is famous for the quality Mahi-Mahi during summer and autumn. The 32-fathom reef runs from Broadwater in the south to Lennox Head in the north. Catches of Snapper, Teraglin, Venus Tusk Fish, Mulloway, Pearl Perch etc are common. The wider reefs of the 36, 40, 42, 48 and 50 Fathom reefs produce all year around, with the bulk of the catch in Snapper, Kingfish, Pearl Perch etc.

The Pelagic fishery is just starting to be recognized for Marlin, tuna etc and will grow in coming years with Ballina Byron Fishing Charters.

check out our Ballina Byron Fishing Adventures Gallery – Jan, Feb, & Mar 2019

Ballina & Byron Bay 32's

Bottom fishing the Ballina & Byron Bay 32 fathom.

Wide Reefs

Bottom fishing from Ballina / Byron Bay wide reefs.

River Fishing

River fishing Ballina only.

River Cruising

River cruising Ballina only.

Game Fishing

Game fishing the water off Ballina / Byron Bay / Evans Head.

Explorer Trips

The beautiful pristine coastline that show off our Headland between Byron Bay and Ballina.

For more information on our local region check out the Ballina Information at https://www.discoverballina.com.au/visit/ballina-visitor-information-centre

THE BOAT

Our pride and joy are a Clem Masters 34. The hull was laid in 1990 for the owners of the Esprit Company. Named” Esprit” the boat was purchased in 1992 and spent the next 25 years fishing Marlin and Tuna commercially and doing Charter fishing when available from Bermagui on the South Coast NSW.

Esprit

Fozies Fishing purchased the boat 2017
Clem Masters 34
Length 10.17m, Breadth 3.35m, Draft 0.96m
Hull: Fibreglass
Engine: Detroit 6V92 9 Liter 2 stroke diesel

An extensive refit in 2018 saw upgraded toilet facilities, improved kitchen with tea and coffee facilities, a fridge to keep the drinks cold, new electronics with GPS,Colour Depth Sounder, Radar and radios fitted. New carpet and paint give the boat a fresh new look. A rear canopy covers the back deck to keep out the sun on hot days. Ballina Byron Fishing Charters is the way to go.

New fishing gear, Fin-Nor spin reels with matching 10kg rods. This is fitted with 50lb Spectra braid line. We also have for the Game fishing people, Quality game fishing gear including the 50 Tiagra wide with matching roller rods.

The Skipper

Captain Rob Foster

Captain Rob Foster has had 40 years fishing the Evans Head / Ballina region both professionally and recreational.

Rob started fishing from Evans Head in the mid 70’s from a small Seafarer v-sea. There was no such thing as a GPS then and spots were found using landmarks and a depth sounder. Rob’s first Marlin came from Ballina, a small Black Marlin caught about a mile from the North Wall on a lure.

Rob finished an apprenticeship as a Fitter/Machinist in 1983 and went to work on the Prawn Trawlers at Iluka.This fuelled a love of the sea which turned into a passion for the rest of his life.

Papua New Guinea

1991 the opportunity came to live and work in Papua New Guinea, managing a large Engineering workshop in Port Moresby, Rob met other fishing enthusiasts and was soon skippering Game vessels for Charter and Tournament fishing for Marlin and the Yellowfin tuna. A move to Lae on the North coast of PNG opened more options for Game fishing. Rabaul famous for a spot known as the Hump, was fished often in the following years with clients enjoying a world class Marlin fishery.

Darwin

2012 Rob went to Darwin to work for the Darwin Barra Base, this would provide many outstanding memories for the clients catching Barramundi and Salmon in the river systems around Darwin as well as the Large Black Jew and other reef fish from the Dundee fishing area.

2015 Rob was back on the North Coast NSW skippering a local charter boat with great success.

2017 saw an opportunity to purchase his own charter vessel and to provide his knowledge and enthusiasm to help clients fish the Evans Head and Ballina areas.
Rob is a senior skipper with the Coastguard at Southport and a senior skipper with Marine Rescue NSW.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Are you ready to create a last memory?
Hook line and sinker, get on board and lets go fishing!