The growing realisation that catching a large pelagic or billfish off Perth is easier to experience than once thought has seen a remarkable surge in game fishing activities in the metro.
This growing popularity of game fishing has seen a big rise in the number of members of the Perth Game Fishing Club (PGFC).
Since 2023, PGFC has seen its membership numbers more than double in size, reflecting a soaring interest and participation in metro game fishing.
The club is expecting a bumper turn-out for a Pelagic Promo night this Thursday (15 January), run by The Western Australian Game Fishing Association (WAGFA) at Hillarys Yacht Club (see details below).
The rise in billfishing success off the coast of Perth has been a major catalyst, with reported marlin captures in particular experiencing a solid upward trend.
The marine canyons off Perth have also seen swordfish captures increase as well, adding a buzz of excitement for those wanting to fish for these remarkable species in waters hundreds of metres deep.
Off the back of the marine heatwave last summer, metro mackerel and wahoo captures went through the roof, with the FADs firing for dolphinfish. Even a world record 80kg cobia was caught south of Rottnest.
Check out just some of the metro pelagic action from last summer below!
Perth Game Fishing Club Member and renowned game fisher, Chris Tanti, said the last 12 months in particular have been huge for game fishing enthusiasts off Perth and other coastal towns.
“There are a lot of fishers currently going out and landing blue, striped and black marlin off Perth along with swordfish out in the trenches without too much difficulty. They’re also landing wahoo, Spanish mackerel, dolphinfish, yellowtail kingfish and several species of tuna as bycatch. It’s going off!” enthused Chris.
“Many fishers think game fishing is way too hard, but honestly, it’s that easy. Metro fishers are starting to understand they can simply put some lures on a heavy rod they had previously used for demersals and troll around before the rod bends from any of these great pelagic species.
“The penny is starting to drop that this adrenaline rush is very easy to experience, and that’s been reflected in the number of people becoming members at PGFC.”
From beginner to game fishing guru
One PGFC member, Tracy Blackwell, originally from the USA, had no prior game fishing experience before moving to Australia with her family in 2017.
Now she’s consistently at the helm of some impressive billfish and pelagic sessions alongside her husband Matt and son Bodie with marlin, Spanish mackerel, dolphinfish, tuna and yellowtail kingfish making their reels scream.
Despite knowing “absolutely nothing” about game fishing when she joined the club five years ago, the Blackwells were quickly shown the ropes by other PGFC members and now love battling impressive species off our coast as a family.
“Coming in as a female I felt completely out of my depth and intimidated as I knew nothing about game fishing, but the club made our family feel incredibly supported and they welcome everyone with open arms, regardless of your experience levels,” said Tracy.
“PGFC has made us feel very settled and given us a sense of belonging. Being able to punch out, enjoy the outdoors and have five rods going off at once – it’s so rewarding and it’s become our favorite family activity. The competitions are great, the support is amazing, and we’re lucky to have these fishing experiences available to us.”
Come along to WAGFA’s Pelagic Promo night!
The Western Australian Game Fishing Association (WAGFA) is hosting a Pelagic Promo night at Hillarys Yacht Club on Thursday, 15 January from 6:30-9:00PM.
Everyone is welcome to attend, and it is a perfect opportunity to mingle with like-minded fishers, talk to world-class game fishers and learn some great tips on how to target billfish and other pelagics.
“There’s going to be lure companies there, world champion fishers, experienced game fishers, charter operators – a huge wealth of fishing knowledge all in one room ready to pass on their tips to anyone attending,” added Chris.
“You’ll rub shoulders with some of the best in the game and there will be plenty of info for some great competitions coming up this year. Come along and see why this is becoming so popular.”
Click here to visit the Perth Game Fishing Club (PGFC) website.
Click here to visit the Western Australian Game Fishing Association (WAGFA) website.
