About Us

Reality Fishing Charters is a family owned and operated business that has been operating in Queensland, Australia since 2001. It owns and operates the 25m liveaboard vessel, “Big Cat Reality”.

This unique vessel allows Reality Fishing Charters to offer a number of amazing experiences that take you to destinations that you can usually only dream about. “Big Cat Reality” offers “fishing trips of a lifetime!” out of  Bundaberg Port Marina in Burnett Heads, Queensland.

We are now taking bookings for our 7 day Swain Fishing trips and 9 day Coral Sea trips (Cato, Wreck & Kenn Reefs).

Our experience in the marine industry includes running 10-70m vessels in the local area as well as up and down the Queensland coast for over 30 years.

In these roles we have gained extensive knowledge of operating large and complex vessels in many fields including:

  1. recreational fishing charters
  2. recreational dive charters
  3. commercial diving operations
  4. hydrographic surveying
  5. large passenger operations

This knowledge is vital in running a commercial operation in the industry today and ensures you get the best and safest experience.


1.) 7 Days Swains Fishing Adventure

This 7 Day line fishing trip is ideal for all levels of fisherman and a perfect trip to enjoy with all your mates.  Reality Fishing Charters will take you to the beautiful reefs and coral cays of the Swains.  This remote reef system is full of life with nice sized Coral Trout, Red Throat Emperor, Spanish Mackerel and Red Emperor just waiting for you.    

This amazing experience is all made possible due to our 25m Mother Ship “Big Cat Reality” and her professional and dedicated crew.  Big Cat is well set up for this remote expedition with spacious dining and living areas, large fishing decks, 7 x 4.3m fishing tenders and a designated rescue vessel.  You have full access to the latest Garmin electronics on the back deck and in your tender, to assist you with your planning and to maximise your experience.

Departure Day: All guests are to arrive at Burnett Heads Marina  at 11.30am and board the vessel at 12 noon. The crew will show you where to stow your gear and give you a tour of the vessel before you meet the other guests on the back deck for some afternoon refreshments.  Once all guests have arrived the Master will conduct a safety brief. We will depart Bundaberg Port Marina at 1 pm and steam north overnight to Swains Reef. Dinner will be served at 7.00 pm

Day 1: We arrive at Swains Reef mid morning where we anchor up and you enjoy a hot breakfast.  After you are comfortable with the tender and you have all your gear together you will have the opportunity to explore the reef yourself for the first morning session.  All tenders return back to Big Cat by 11:30am where the diligent crew clean and fillet your catch, cryovac seal it before freezing in the freshness while you sit down to a hearty lunch.

After lunch you will again have the opportunity to fish the reef from the tenders until around 4:30pm.  After all the tenders are back on-board the crew again look after your catch while you have the chance to freshen up before dinner.  The evening meal is served by 6pm followed by dessert every night.

Day 2:  After a hot cooked breakfast you then head out on the tenders by 7:30am at one of the many amazing reefs this area has to offer.

Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 will be spent working the Swain Reefs, fishing some of the most remote fishing destinations this area has to offer.

Day 5:  After dinner, the vessel steams south, to the Bunker Group ready for another full day of fishing.

Day 6:  Today is spent at Sykes Reef (or nearby reefs) where you have the opportunity to fish the reef edges or troll the deeper water.  After lunch the day is yours to make the most of the final session. Around 4:30pm tenders are recovered back onboard while the guests enjoy sunset drinks and snacks on the back deck chatting to their new mates. Big Cat will then head south steaming overnight, back to Bundaberg.

Day 7:  We will arrive at Burnett Heads Marina around 6am where a hot breakfast will be served.  The diligent crew will assist you with your gear and catch before we farewell all guests around 7.30am.  If you don’t have an esky, ice and foam boxes are available for purchase to transport your fish home.

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