Nomad Sportfishing

GT Fishing as good as it gets and spectacular Sportfishing

The Bugatti & Elusive Reef systems have proven over the past 4 years to be amongst the best all round GT fishing locations in the world. This is a big statement we know, but one that is easily backed up by past catches. The reef area we call Bugatti Reef stretches over 200 nautical miles in length, and about 60 nautical miles wide, so it’s a big place, and covers a lot of  reef that has never even been named or charted.

The reason the fishing stays consistently spectacular at this area is because of the massive area of reef we have to fish. The huge area means that each individual “area” of reef might only get fished for 1-2 weeks per year, with many months between visits, so this means that the fishing is very good all year round.

The reef structure forms a massive amount of “rivers” running through the reef system. These rivers and channels are very narrow and funnel the current through the reef passes. The whirlpools, eddies and currents experienced in these areas are spectacular, and 10-12kn current flows are common on the big tides. We believe the main reason that this section of reef remains uncharted is due to the massive tidal flows, and the immense and intricate area of reef. Nobody else fishes here due to the massive currents, but as we know, the GTs and other reef species just love that!!

Bugatti Reef Species Guide

The bar chart shows how Bugatti Reef compares to our other locations in terms of the main sportfish that we target. The reef system just seems to keep getting better the more we explore and learn. In 2010 we released over 520 GTs in a week, fishing between Bugatti & Elusive Reefs, with fish ranging in size from 20kg-60kg. This was with 12 anglers fishing on our 4 sportfishers, and included one boat catching 50 GTs in a single day between 3 anglers. These catch rates and sizes of fish have never been achieved anywhere else in the world. While these type of catches don’t happen every week, they obviously show how many fish live here, and how healthy the system is.

This reef area is a sportfishing paradise, with not only the world’s best GT action, but spectacular all round sportfishing as well. It is one of the most wild, spectacular, rugged and fishy places we have ever visited, with so many big GTs, and a huge variety of other spectacular sportfishing options for spanish mackerel, tuna, red bass, coral trout and many other species. This reef system has an appeal that keeps anglers coming back year after year, and with the fishing getting better every year why wouldn’t they!

When do we fish Buagtti Reef?

The best time for this area is between March-July, and any trip date you choose in this time will provide excellent fishing opportunities. Please check the Rates and Dates page for more information on Bugatti Reef dates for 2012.

Getting to Bugatti Reef

Outer Bugatti Reef can be visited on a Lagoon Explorer, and the Inner Bugatti Reefs can be visited on a Drive Out Mothership trip.

On the Lagoon Explorer trip you will fly to the outer parts of Bugatti Reef aboard a seaplane from Hamilton island, and land on the reef ready to fish, and you’ll fly back to Hamilton Island at the end of your trip. Hamilton island is easily accessed by domestic flights from many Australian cities. The Lagoon explorer trip option offers you fly in access and 6 full days fishing the outer Bugatti Reef area.
The Drive Out trip will see you depart and return to Mackay harbour via an overnight passage aboard the mothership to the Bugatti Reef area. The exact area we fish will depend on weather upon departure, time of year and a number of other factors. The Drive out trip offers 5 days fishing in the inner Bugatti Reef area.

Available Dates & How to Make a Booking

It’s Easy! Just Contact Us and tell us what species you are interested in catching, or which trip you like the sound of, and we’ll get back to you with pricing, available dates and all the info you need. Because we have so many trip options available, we like to either talk to you or chat by email before you make a booking so we can be sure that you’re doing the trip that best matches the species you want to catch and the styles of fishing you want to do.

Alternately, you can choose your own trip dates and location from the Rates & Dates page, and then Contact us to confirm availability and trip details.

For full information about all aspects of  Bugatti Reef trip, or any other trip, please call or email us and we’ll be able to send you a detailed information booklet that covers every question you’ll ever have about any trip, as well as a brochure, and a 2 hour promotional DVD that highlights all of the locations we visit.

Rates&Dates Contact Us Booking Form Information Booklet