The best black marlin water in the world is a long way from port. Mothershipping puts your bed, your chef and your fuel out on the grounds with you, so the day is spent fishing, not travelling.
What is mothershipping?
It’s a floating base on the marlin grounds. Shore Thing 115, a 35m superyacht, anchors close to the fish. Shore Thing 58, our 58ft Assegai sportfisher, ties up alongside.
You fish all day on the 58. You sleep on the 115. You wake up on the reef and do it again.
No long run back to port each night. Just more time on the giants.
| The fleet | What it does |
|---|---|
| Shore Thing 115 · 35m Lloyds superyacht | The mothership. Cabins, chef, fuel and support on the grounds |
| Shore Thing 58 · 58ft Assegai sportfisher | The game boat. Heavy and light tackle with Captain Daniel Klein and crew |
| Waverider · 9m Gemini RHIB | The tender. Runs guests between the reef and and the islands. |
The season: heavy tackle, done right
Giant black marlin gather on the Ribbon Reefs every spring. It’s why these waters are known as the black marlin capital of the world.
The Ribbon Reefs run roughly 250km from Cairns to Lizard Island. Here the outer reef sits close to the continental shelf, and the big fish come in close. The season builds from September to a November peak.
| Season at a glance | |
|---|---|
| The grounds | Ribbon Reefs, Cairns to Lizard Island |
| The season | September to November, peaking in November |
| The target | Black marlin, 500 to 1,000+ lb |
| The base | Cairns and Cooktown. We move with the tides |
In October 2025, Captain Daniel “Kleiny” Klein put Shore Thing 58 on a 1,223lb black marlin at Ribbon Reef No. 4, on a seven-day mothership trip with Shore Thing 115.
Why mothership with Shore Thing 115?
Go further. Stay longer. Shore Thing 115 is built to work alongside sportfishers, with everything the trip needs right where the fishing is.
- Fuel on the grounds. The game boat bunkers fuel from the mothership, so you stay out instead of running back to port.
- Proper cabins. Four ensuite cabins for up to 8 guests.
- Fully crewed. A professional crew and a personal chef for the whole trip.
- Room to celebrate. Three entertaining decks and a jacuzzi on the bow for after a big day.
- More than fishing. Mornings can start with a snorkel, or a dive on request, before the lines go out.
Zero-speed stabilisers keep the roll down at anchor, so guests eat and sleep in comfort. Starlink keeps you connected out on the reef.
A day on the program
Shore Thing 58 ties up alongside the mothership, so there’s no long run to the grounds.
- Dawn. Breakfast on Shore Thing 115. Step straight across to the 58.
- Morning. Take the Waverider out for a swim or snorkel on the reef before the lines go out.
- Day. A full day on the heavy tackle. The crew works the plan around the conditions and where the marlin are showing. Lunch and drinks are served on the game boat.
- Evening. Back on board. Shower, a cold drink and dinner from the onboard chef.
- Overnight. The mothership stays close to the fishing. You wake up on the grounds, ready to go again.
Schedules and fishing locations change with the weather and conditions.
What’s included
Both vessels are fully crewed, including a personal chef. Every menu is planned with you before the charter, around your group’s tastes, allergies and dietary needs. Reef fish caught on the trip goes on the dinner menu where possible.
| 2027 rates | From | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Shore Thing 115 · mothership | $22,000 per night | Up to 8 guests, 4 ensuite cabins, chef and crew, customised menus and signature bar menu |
| Shore Thing 58 · game boat | $7,700 per day | Captain and crew, meals, soft drinks, heavy and light Shimano tackle |
Limited time offer: book the full combo, Shore Thing 58 plus Shore Thing 115, before 31 December 2026 and the mothership drops to $18,000 a night, down from $22,000. Dates for the 2027 Ribbon Reefs season are limited.
Also on board: the Waverider tender for transfers, the reef and the islands, plus snorkelling gear, water toys and the jacuzzi. Diving on request.
All rates in AUD and include GST unless stated. Rates are subject to change.
Chase giants by day. Unwind in luxury by night.
Mothershipping suits anglers chasing their first grander, crews who want more days on the water, and groups who want serious fishing without giving up comfort.
The best dates go early. 2027 heavy tackle season dates are open now.
Enquire at shorething.au, email charters@shorething.au or call +61 464 115 115.
