Wild Card Fishing Adventures

  the Wessel Islands –

The Wessel Islands are a fishing treasure kingdom. Famous for its majestic indigenous culture and indeed rare coins washing up onto the beach. More than that the area is a fishing kingdom. The Wessel Islands from Buckingham Bay across the Napier Peninsula of Arnhem Land and Elcho Island as well as Marchinbar Island gives you over 120km of fishing utopia. The Wessel Islands are as remote as they are untouched as a fishing destination. The stars are bright and the fishing brighter. Sight casting to Spanish Mackerel or getting smashed up by Coral Trout popping over shallow reefs. Giant Trevally the size of small vans that will brick you if you don’t keep up. Barramundi and Queenfish in numbers you dream about. There are rivers, creeks mangrove lined edges and sand flats as far as the eye can see.

This is not an office hours charter… no 9 to 5 here. If the fish are bitting early then you will be on the water early if they are bitting late then you will be on the water late. Each day your mothership (WildCard) will make anchor in locations taking advantage of the best times and tides.

Wessel Islands Species –

Barramundi, GT (Giant Trevally), Fingermark, Queenfish, Coral Trout, Spanish Mackerel, Golden Trevally, Black Jewfish, Mangrove Jack, Cobia, Northern Bluefin Tuna, Milkfish, Tarpon, Permit T Anak, Permit T Blochii, Blue Bastard, Tusk Fish, Brassy Trevally. 

Why the Wessel Islands? 

You and your fishing crew will be the only ones fishing the Wessel Island. The Wessel Islands offers you a location where if you can think of it fishing wise you can make it happen. ‘Have mothership will travel’ is the name of the game with Wild Card when fishing East Arnhem Land & the Wessel Islands. This is not a spectacular sport. The skipper and the crew actively hunt for the fish. The area is blessed with large numbers of different sports fish and indeed in numbers themselves.  

The Crew –

The Wildcard Family have spent over 40 years exploring the area and they are still left awestruck by the majesty and beauty of the rugged East Arnhem Land coast. The guides will not be asking you for directions they know the area well. They will talk with you and plan each dates fishing to make sure you are getting the best most out of each day. You are there after all to fish and then relax when the job is done! The mothership is well appointed with comfortable cabins all with ensuites.  

The Boats –

Meals –

Fantastic fishing and fantastic food you will be fishing one of the best locations in Australia Prue will look after you and your catch preparing amazing meals. No matter what direction you look there is fresh produce that is more than likely going to be in one of your meal. One of the biggest seafood restaurants in the world is all around you. Prue the chef on the WildCard will look after you she has been catching and cooking some of the best-eating fish on earth her whole life.

FishingEarth Tips – 

A well-planned fishing adventure to the Wessel Islands is the key to your success. There are a number of travel options to get you into your Wessel Island fishing adventure. FishingEarth works with you finding the fastest way in and out. So you spend more time fishing than in transit.  

– How to get there:
Will have to fly to Gove to start your WILDCARD fishing adventure.  Daily flights arrive in and out of Gove via Darwin and Cairns. .FishingEarth works with you to get in and out as fast as possible. As much as we love sending you fishing we love getting you home safe.

– Length of stay:
Guests typically fish the Wessel Island with WildCard for 8-12 days.  

– Non-Fishing Activities 
Wildcard legally operates in North East Arnhem Land formally accredited by local custodian Terry Dhurritjini Yumbulul. This means you can visit areas most will never get to see. Take a BBQ on the beach or a walk visiting with some ancient aboriginal art.

– Phone & Internet
Phone and internet (hotspot via your phone) are intermittent at best. Do not rely on this as there is no consistency with the remote community services. There is a satellite phone in case of emergencies. If you require regular communication we can look at options with you for both voice and data services. 

– Arrival & Departure time 
FishignEarth words with you to reduce your travel and transit times. Typically the arrival time is the afternoon of the first day and the departure is the morning of the last day of the charter. 

– Mallard Flying Boat 
Darwin has the best connections in the Northern Territory for all major Australian travel hubs. The use of the Mallard flying boat means you can reduce overnight travel time to zero. The Mallard charter both in and out of your Wild Card Wessel Island fishing charter to connect with your in and out of Darwin flights for your arrival and departure from Darwin home.

Packages: & Internet

–What’s Included:

-> 8-12 days guided fishing 

-> 8-12 nights accommodation configuration to be arranged.

-> Transfers from your flight in Darwin or Gove to your charter.

-> Fresh meals prepared daily and non-alcoholic drinks

-> Fishing & Location permits 

–What’s Not Included:

-> Return flights to either Darwin or Gove, Northern Territory Australia

-> Travel insurance for Australian visitors and medical plus travel insurance for international visitors. 

-> Alcoholic beverages 

-> are 

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