Reef Fishing Charters
Reef fishing is a popular activity at Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge. But far from soaking a dead bait on a heavy handline and massive sinker, our guides actively promote jigging soft plastic artificial baits on sportfishing outfits to maximise the fun factor! Your skipper will have productive reef and bottom structures marked on the boats Lowrance Fishfinder/GPS to make locating the best fishing spots a breeze. Drifting over submerged reef structure while jigging soft plastic lures is the primary method for targeting reef fish. Jigging tactics will produce highly sought after reef species such as coral trout, golden snapper, black jewfish, bluebone, tricky snapper, groper, sweetlip and estuary cod.
Many of the reef fish encountered at Seven Spirit Bay are renowned for their superb eating qualities and the lodge chef is most appreciative when supplied with a selection of succulent white fleshed reef fish. Fish retained for the lodge chef will be iced down and expertly processed or filleted by your fishing guide to preserve their fine eating qualities. Your fresh catch is now ready for the lodge chef to later serve as a culinary seafood delight.
Marine Park Sanctuary
The Cobourg Marine Park is located in waters surrounding Cobourg Peninsula, approximately 200km north-east of Darwin and occupies an area of approximately 229,000ha. The Marine Park was first declared in July 1983 and is part of the larger Garig Gunak Barlu National Park which includes both the Marine Park and the Cobourg Sanctuary. The Sanctuary extends to the low water mark and includes the intertidal zone and waters covering the peninsula whilst the Marine Park extends seaward from the low water mark.
The Marine Park is characterised by a number of bays and estuaries on its northern shores including the expansive Port Essington upon which Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge is located. The Marine Park features live coral reefs, seagrass, sand and mud flats plus extensive areas of mangrove-lined shores that support a rich and diverse range of reef, estuary and pelagic fish populations, plus aquatic animals, including dolphins, marine turtles, dugong, sea snakes and of course saltwater crocodiles. Similarly, the park is a recognised internationally as a Ramsar conservation zone and home to over 200 local, endemic and migratory bird species.
Recreational fishing is allowed in the Cobourg Marine Park and is subject to the NT recreational fishing rules and regulations. Although crab pots are not allowed in the park, your guide can arrange for a mud crabbing expedition “Top End style” if you so desire.