Reports of large schools of Mackerel Tuna being seen off the North Peron Island had my fishing companion, Ian Krenske and I giving serious considering to the long trip. Tuna of any species are an excellent sportfish and present a considerable challenge to any angler, especially on the lighter line classes. Here in the Territory, schools of both Mackerel and Northern Bluefin Tuna arrive each dry season to feast on the large bait schools that congregate just off the coast. These species can even be caught well inside the harbour and are regular land based captures from Stokes Hill Wharf and the newly erected fishing platform.

It's a long trip to the Perons, irrespective of which way you choose to go. By boat from Darwin Harbour its in excess of 70 nautical miles. Most trailer boat anglers opt for the three hour drive to Dundee Beach and launch within 30 nautical miles of some of the best all round bluewater fishing that is available in easy access from Darwin. The third option is to drive in via La Belle Station. This four hour drive which is largely over corrugated dirt road places you opposite the Islands, and after a beach launch you are only minutes from the action.

Both the North and South Peron Islands are relatively close to the mainland and are surrounded by an extensive reef system that joins the islands and extends around the southern and northern ends. Deep dropoffs can also be located between the island and the mainland. It is in these deep channels that some of the Territory's largest Black Jewfish are taken, whilst wide of the islands you find prime Mackerel, Sailfish and Marlin country, with many of these species being taken during the dry season. The entire area is ideal habitat for numerous species and most tropical reef species occur in the area.

We were not disappointed with our decision to make the long journey and launch at Dundee Beach. As the sun rose above the horizon to reveal a pristine dry season morning, the 0300am start was soon forgotten, the Tuna, although not large, were in such numbers, that the feeding schools could be seen for miles. The schools appeared and disappeared in their pursuit of the large bait schools that almost blacked out our sounder. The sight was incredible as we ready to take advantage of an approaching feeding frenzy. My twelve year old son, Scott had accompanied us on the trip and as he stood on the bow poised to cast into the approaching school, the excitement of landing his first Tuna was to much - he cast his lure towards the school but due to his excitement and anticipation, had cast to early and failed to hook up. Not so the second cast. On 3 kilo line class, the 3.90 kilo Mackerel Tuna was quickly in control as we commenced to assist Scott in the retrieval of a few hundred meters of line. It wasn't long and Scott had landed a pending Australian National Gamefishing Junior Record.

The three of us were soon casting lures into another feeding school and pitting our skill against the instinct and strength of these oceanic freight trains. Scott was the most successful, choosing 3 kilo line class while Ian and I had opted for the lighter line classes. Scott managed to place another fish of 3.60 kilo in the boat to record another National Australian Junior Record, this time in the Lurecasting Division.

By mid morning the Tuna had become extremely weary and the decision was made to do a spot of trolling as we searched for a likely patch of rubble in the hope of tagging some Fingermark. Red and White Reidy's Aqua - Rat and Big Boss lures were chosen in the hope of attracting a Spanish Mackerel or two. It wasn't long before Ian hooked up and landed a 10 kilo Spaniard. As Ian fought the fish and I maneuvered the boat the sounder displayed a small bommie surrounded in fish, I quickly entered the GPS for investigation later. Once the Spaniard was secured we proceed to my GPS mark. Scott was quickly in the water and before the anchor descended over the small bommie the Fingermark were coming up, being tagged and released.

Scott was enjoying the challenge of the lighter 2 kilo line class he had chosen but was totally unprepared when his rod buckled and the reel started to scream. We all called it for an Estuary Cod as the fish darted from cover to cover. Some 30 minutes later a pending National Australian Junior Sportfishing Record appeared beside the boat in the shape of a 3.10 kilo Red Emperor. Scott was over the moon, his first Tuna, his first Red Emperor and three pending records, what a day - no wonder he loves fishing.

We fished on during the day trying to contain Scott's excitement as we captured more Tuna along with Black Jewfish, Grassy Sweetlip, Red Throat Emperor and numerous other reef species before deciding to head for home, dodging the schools of Tuna as we went.

Scott had certainly out fished both Ian and I on this trip and was making sure that we both were aware of the fact.