By Keith Blayney, PhD

During a two week vacation in Australia in July (winter in Australia) I included a two day estuary fishing trip out of Cairns which is on the Gold Coast 3 hours by air north of Sydney, My son and I caught 15 Barramundi - the largest was 14 kilograms or about 30 lbs., which on light spinning tackle was a real thrill. enhance by a saltwater crocodile which took our guide's landing net as he was about to lift it into our boat.

Australia is lovely in the winter and while we were there we swam on the great barrier reef and enjoyed the low costs - we stayed at a 5 star hotel in Sydney-The Grace- for only 70 US dollars per night-an american dollar is worth one and a half Australian.

We fished with Cairns Reef Charter who can be reached at CRC@AUSFISH .COM-FAX 07-4031-4610. A guide, punt with electric motor, lures and tackle cost only 135 Australian per day.

Cairns also has some of the world's best black marlin fishing from September to December with 1000 lb. fish not unusual. Keith Blayney, PhD