Welcome to East Coast Angling, we are Nick and Megan Milford and we operate top water sportfishing charters from our home base in Port Douglas, about an hour from Cairns in Far North Queensland. We invite you to travel to some of the most stunning and remote sportfishing locations on the globe, fishing remote areas of the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef, doing it all on custom built boats, using professional equipment and with an expert crew. Our whole operation is finely tuned to deliver the ultimate sportfishing charter experience.
We provide new adventures for the everyday angler, our unique trip packages and our ability to cater for just about any fishing style is what sets us apart. Our intimate knowledge of the far north and the outer Coral Sea, combined with decades of professional sportfishing experience means you’ll never have a better opportunity to chase down your ‘bucket list’ trophy fish.
In 2017, We founded East Coast Angling, a new outfit to channel my insatiable taste for adventure and guiding. I’ve been in the charter industry since the age of 18, having started my career on the east coast of Africa skippering various sportfishing and diving boats and lodges between South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya.
After exploring the remotest areas of east Africa for 5 years, I decided to head abroad in search of new grounds. I skippered a 46ft power cat across the Atlantic to the BVI where I then worked on a few superyachts before finding a new adventure as a game boat skipper aboard a 200ft expedition boat.
Chasing world records on the fly, I visited 23 countries, circumnavigating the globe in search of possible records. In 2008, I met my wife Megan, who lured me back to Australia where I joined and ran a sportfishing operation on the Great Barrier Reef. My passion for this sport shows in our new venture, proving that there should be no half measures when it comes to the ultimate experience.
Megan also comes from a boating background too, having spent several years abroad working on yachts. During that time, she developed a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of clients’ needs and expectations. Having travelled the globe, Megan brings a flare of creativity to our business, assisting in logistics and planning to ensure that your experience is like no other. You won’t see her out behind the wheel, but with her support in the background, you can be assured of a world-class experience. Megan is also part of the guest support team and more than happy to accept any special requests or queries you may have.
Some of the incredible fish you can expect to catch on our sportfishing tours are:
🐟 Black Marlin 🐟 Giant Trevally
🐟 Dogtooth Tuna 🐟 Blue Bastard
🐟 Coral Trout 🐟 Spanish Mackerel
🐟 Sailfish 🐟 Barracuda
Whether you’re an experienced angler or you’d like to learn a new style, we’re happy to share our many years of knowledge and experience with you. One of our main aims is to teach people about sport fishing and we view catch and a release a major part of our sport. We’d like to help change the mindset of keeping as many trophies as possible. Some of the fishing styles available are:
🎣 Top Water Casting 🎣 Jigging
🎣 Soft Plastics 🎣 Trolling
🎣 Micro Jigging 🎣 Flyfishing
🎣 Light Tackle Sight Fishing
Port Douglas Offshore
Charging out of our home base in Port Douglas – Crystalbrook Super Yacht Marina, experience the best the Great Barrier Reef has to offer. There are several locations we visit depending on the weather, time of year, and species you want to target.
Port Douglas Inshore
We will target inshore waters as well as estuaries depending on the style of fishing and weather conditions. Targeting species predominantly on lures all levels of fishing experience is welcome for this exciting day out on the water. We practice predominately catch and release sportfishing, but we are happy for you to bring some fish home for a feed.
Cooktown Offshore
5 Full days fishing out on the reef. We will choose our fishing locations based on which area has been most productive over the last few days and whichever is in line with what species you want to catch and what style of fishing you wish to do.
Ribbon Reefs
The infamous Ribbon Reefs, this truly amazing part of the Great Barrier Reef which spans across the northern cape york peninsular. We fish our way up towards Lizard island. Expect to catch large numbers of GT’s, Yellowfin tuna, Spanish mackerel, Coral Trout, Red Bass and a large number of different reef species.
Tydeman Reef
Join us for a trip of a lifetime fishing Tydeman & Davies Reefs as we journey north along the outermost remote areas from Lizard Island to Bligh Reef. Expect to encounter consistent numbers of GT’s & Dogtooth tuna, Spanish mackerel, northern bluefin tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, redbass and coral trout.
Bligh Reef
Situated in the remote northern stretches of the Cape, Bligh Reef is home to some of biggest & angriest fish you’ll encounter. Expect the unexpected here. Expect to catch large dogtooth tuna, monster Spanish mackerel, dinosaur coral trout, we’ve even caught a few decent size Black Marlin while fishing this way!
Coral Sea Expeditions
Join us on an expedition out into the Coral Sea this season. We will be targeting Gt’s, Doggies, Yellowfin and a wide range of reef species from Coral Trout, Red Bass, Long Nose Emperor, Maori Sea perch. This location really turned it on for us last season and we are excited to be heading back here in search of some of the beasts we couldn’t stop.
East Cape Flats
Join us for a trip of a lifetime fishing the Infamous Tydeman & Davies Reefs as we journey north along the outermost remote areas from Lizard Island to Bligh Reef. Expect to encounter consistent numbers of GT’s & Dogtooth tuna, Spanish mackerel, northern bluefin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, red bass and coral trout fishing available.
Super Yacht Tender Hire
Hire our 32ft centre console as a tender to your yacht. We cater for international or local vessels who are visiting the region and would like to tow a luxurious sport fishing vessel with a guide. Our vessel is equipped with a heavy-duty tow eye and rope and is able for long distances if required.
Kitesurfing
We offer group trips to the Great Barrier Reef, which offers some of the most pristine grounds in the world and exceptionally clean wind. Call us for more info about this option.
