Fishing from IMPULSIVE
From calm-water reef fishing with the family to a genuine shot at a grander black marlin, IMPULSIVE offers fishing for every level, wherever she charters. She is the base: the tenders and a dedicated game boat go out, and every evening ends aboard.
Start with reef and light tackle: relaxed fishing around the reef for coral trout, mackerel and queenfish, suited to all ages with no experience needed.
Wherever IMPULSIVE charters
Fishing travels with IMPULSIVE: the Whitsundays from October to June, Brisbane and Moreton Bay in February, Fiji from July to September and, from September 2027, Tropical North Queensland. Giant black marlin are the exception, found only in Tropical North Queensland from September to December.
The levels, species, map and seasons below are for Tropical North Queensland. Tell us your destination and dates and the crew will plan the fishing around what is running.
Fishing by level
Five ways to fish from IMPULSIVE, shown here for Tropical North Queensland, from a relaxed afternoon on the reef to heavy tackle for the biggest marlin in the world.
All ages, no experience needed
Relaxed fishing from the tender or game boat around the reef.
Technical sport on smaller juvenile black marlin (100 to 300 lb), lighter tackle and live-baiting.
Bluewater and reef-edge fishing for hard-fighting pelagics.
Week-long expeditions in rivers and creeks reachable only by boat or helicopter.
Trolling the reef edge for grander-class fish on 130 and 80 lb outfits.
Tropical North Queensland only
Tropical North Queensland has been synonymous with giant black marlin since the fishery was developed in the 1960s and 70s, and the biggest fish taken off Cairns regularly top 1,000 pounds. Each spring they funnel along a compact stretch of the Ribbon Reefs, with the peak season from September to December.
On the map, Tropical North Queensland
Reef, bluewater, estuary and the giant black marlin grounds, from one mothership.
Locations are indicative and not for navigation. Tap a stop to find it on the map.
How it works
Fishing days run from a dedicated game boat with its own captain, mate and deckhand, paired with IMPULSIVE as the mothership. No daily run back to port: anglers return at dusk to a chef-prepared dinner, while non-fishing guests spend the day diving, snorkelling or on the toys. How mothershipping works.
By day
Every evening
Every billfish is tagged and released, the Tropical North Queensland standard since the 1970s. IGFA-compliant tagging and weighing is available on request.
Fly from Cairns with Nautilus Aviation to a reef sand cay and step straight onto the game boat (on request, subject to weather and availability).
Every expedition is priced bespoke to each enquiry, covering the yacht, the game boat for the fishing days and the advance provisioning allowance. 2027 rates are available on application.
Seasons at a glance
What is biting, month by month, in Tropical North Queensland.
IMPULSIVE debuts in Tropical North Queensland in September 2027. The juvenile marlin months are bookable from 2028. Remote estuary fishing in Princess Charlotte Bay is available on request.
Planning
No. Reef and light-tackle fishing from the tender or game boat suits all ages, with no experience needed. Anglers chasing marlin are looked after by an experienced game boat crew, typically a captain, mate and deckhand.
Non-fishing guests spend the day diving, snorkelling or on the toys aboard IMPULSIVE, then everyone meets back on the yacht for dinner.
Yes. Beyond the marlin season, the same grounds produce giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, wahoo, Spanish mackerel and coral trout on lighter tackle, and Princess Charlotte Bay offers remote barramundi fishing on request.
Every billfish is tagged and released, the Tropical North Queensland standard since the 1970s. IGFA-compliant tagging and weighing is available on request.
Every expedition is priced bespoke to each enquiry, covering the yacht, the game boat for the fishing days and the advance provisioning allowance. 2027 rates are available on application.
In plain English
Lighter rods and line for smaller fish such as juvenile marlin, giant trevally and reef species. More technical, and suited to all levels on the reef.
Strong rods and line, typically 130 and 80 pound outfits, used to troll the reef edge for the largest marlin.
Towing lures or rigged baits behind a moving boat. It is the traditional way to fish for marlin along the reef edge.
A marlin over 1,000 pounds, roughly 450 kilograms. Tropical North Queensland has produced the great majority of grander black marlin ever weighed.
A purpose-built fishing boat with its own captain, mate and deckhand, dedicated entirely to the fishing.
The luxury yacht, here IMPULSIVE, where guests sleep, dine and relax. She holds position close to the fishing grounds, so there is no daily run back to port.
Every billfish is tagged and released alive, the Tropical North Queensland standard since the 1970s.
The International Game Fish Association, which sets the rules for recognised catches. IGFA-compliant tagging and weighing is available on request.
Keep exploring
Availability for the 2027 season is limited, and 2028 forward bookings are also open. Tell us who is fishing and what you would like to catch, and we will plan the days around it.
Prefer to talk? Call 1300 424 278 or email info@charteryacht.com.
Follow @impulsivesuperyacht on Instagram for life on board and the season ahead.
The IMPULSIVE list
Season dates, new itineraries, events on board and the occasional offer, straight to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time.
The IMPULSIVE list
Join our list for season dates, new itineraries and events on board, before they go anywhere else.
