For keen anglers, there is a big difference between heading offshore for a day and spending several days completely immersed in the fishing experience. A day charter can deliver fantastic action, but eventually you have to turn the boat around and head back to port. A live aboard trip changes the equation.
With live aboard fishing trips WA, your fishing adventure becomes a multi-day expedition. Instead of returning to shore each afternoon, you stay aboard the vessel, anchor in sheltered locations and wake up ready to fish again.
For anglers considering a fishing holiday in Western Australia, that raises an important question: are live aboard fishing trips actually worth it?
For people who want more fishing time, access to remote locations, varied fishing opportunities and a genuine offshore adventure, the answer can certainly be yes. Here is what makes the experience different and what you should consider before booking.
What Is a Live Aboard Fishing Trip?
A live aboard fishing charter combines an extended fishing expedition with accommodation aboard the fishing vessel.
Rather than fishing for several hours and returning to the marina at the end of the day, you remain offshore for multiple days. Depending on the charter and destination, your trip could involve game fishing, reef fishing, jigging, topwater fishing and exploring areas that would be difficult to reach effectively during a conventional day trip.
Innkeeper Sport Fishing offers multi-day live aboard adventures departing from Exmouth, giving groups the opportunity to explore the waters surrounding Ningaloo Reef and beyond.
That extended range is one of the biggest attractions of the live aboard experience.
1. You Can Spend More Time Fishing
Perhaps the most obvious advantage of a live aboard charter is simple: more of your trip can be dedicated to fishing.
On a day charter, part of the available time inevitably goes towards travelling from the marina to productive fishing grounds and returning to port.
On a live aboard trip, there is no requirement to return to Exmouth every evening.
Once you are offshore, the vessel can remain closer to productive fishing areas and move between locations as conditions and fishing opportunities dictate. After spending the night at a sheltered anchorage, the next day’s fishing adventure can begin without repeating the full journey from shore.
For serious anglers travelling a long distance specifically to experience Western Australia’s fishing, maximising time on the water can make the additional investment worthwhile.
2. Access More Remote Fishing Grounds
Western Australia has an enormous coastline, and some of its most exciting fishing opportunities are well away from heavily visited areas.
This is where live aboard fishing trips WA really come into their own.
A multi-day itinerary gives the skipper considerably more freedom to explore different locations rather than being restricted by the need to return to the marina that afternoon.
From Exmouth, anglers can explore the spectacular waters around Ningaloo Reef, offshore reefs and deeper water near the Continental Shelf.
Depending on the trip, conditions and target species, an adventure might involve visiting uninhabited tropical islands, casting lures around coral reef edges, fishing deeper reefs or heading offshore in search of pelagic species.
Being able to move between different environments is part of what makes a live aboard fishing holiday so appealing.
3. Experience Several Styles of Fishing
Another major advantage is variety.
Some anglers assume an extended fishing charter means repeating the same fishing technique for several consecutive days. Around Exmouth, however, the diversity of fishing environments can create opportunities to change tactics considerably.
A live aboard adventure could potentially include:
- Game fishing for marlin and sailfish
- Casting poppers and stickbaits around reef edges
- Targeting giant trevally and other sportfish
- Jigging in deeper water
- Bottom fishing for reef species
- Fishing offshore for tuna, mahi mahi and wahoo
- Exploring inshore waters around remote islands
Exactly what you do will depend on the season, conditions, location and your group’s objectives.
Innkeeper Sport Fishing can tailor live aboard adventures around preferred fishing styles and angling goals, making the experience particularly attractive to groups who want more than a standard fishing package.
4. Chase Some of WA’s Most Exciting Species
Exmouth has earned an international reputation as a sport and game fishing destination for good reason.
The proximity of Ningaloo Reef and deep offshore waters creates habitat for an extraordinary range of species.
All six Australian billfish species can be encountered in the region: blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, broadbill swordfish and shortbill spearfish.
There are also numerous other sport and game species, including yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, cobia, Spanish mackerel, giant trevally, golden trevally, queenfish and amberjack.
For anglers interested in reef fishing, the waters around Exmouth can also produce species such as red emperor, spangled emperor, coral trout, rankin cod and goldband snapper.
A multi-day charter provides the time and flexibility to pursue different species rather than putting the entire fishing holiday into a single day.
5. You Get the Full Fishing-Expedition Experience
There is also something about a live aboard trip that cannot be measured purely by the number of fish caught.
It is an adventure.
Imagine spending the day fishing some of Western Australia’s spectacular offshore waters before anchoring somewhere sheltered and scenic for the evening. You have dinner aboard, talk about the day’s fishing and enjoy being away from the usual routine.
The next morning, you wake up on the water and do it all again.
For groups of friends, families or dedicated fishing mates, the shared experience can become just as memorable as landing the fish itself.
Instead of simply booking a fishing charter, you are effectively booking a fishing expedition.
6. Accommodation and Meals Are Part of the Experience
Of course, staying aboard for several days means the vessel itself matters.
A live aboard boat needs to provide more than a good fishing platform. It also needs somewhere comfortable to sleep, eat and relax between fishing sessions.
Innkeeper Sport Fishing operates the INNKEEPER, a custom-built 44-foot O’Brien gamefisher designed for game fishing and extended live aboard trips.
The vessel is air-conditioned and features a fully equipped galley and spacious saloon. Accommodation includes a master stateroom with a double bed and ensuite, along with four bunks and separate shower and toilet facilities.
Live aboard packages also include bedding, fishing tackle, snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner and refreshments, allowing guests to concentrate on enjoying their fishing adventure rather than organising the logistics themselves.
7. An Experienced Crew Can Make a Major Difference
Spending several days offshore makes local knowledge especially valuable.
Fishing conditions constantly change. Currents, weather, water temperature, bait activity and fish movements can all influence where and how you should fish.
An experienced skipper can adjust the itinerary and fishing strategy according to those conditions.
Captain Brendon Hawker has extensive experience in sport and game fishing, having fished internationally before establishing Innkeeper Sport Fishing in Exmouth. That experience includes multiple billfishing techniques and fishing for the diverse range of species found in Exmouth waters.
For visiting anglers unfamiliar with the region, having an experienced local crew removes much of the guesswork.
Are Live Aboard Fishing Trips Expensive?
There is no getting around the fact that a live aboard trip represents a bigger investment than a conventional day charter.
However, price should be considered in the context of what the package includes.
You are not simply paying for a few additional hours of fishing. You are combining several days of private charter fishing with onboard accommodation, meals, crew, fishing equipment and access to locations that may be impractical to explore properly during individual day trips.
Innkeeper’s Exmouth live aboard packages are available for multi-day adventures, with rates based around private groups. Longer adventures are also available.
For a group of fishing mates sharing the experience, looking at the cost per person and per day can provide a more useful comparison than simply looking at the total charter price.
Who Are Live Aboard Fishing Trips Best For?
A live aboard adventure is particularly well suited to anglers who want fishing to be the main focus of their holiday.
It can be an excellent option if you:
- Want to maximise your fishing time
- Are travelling to WA specifically for a serious fishing experience
- Want to explore more remote fishing areas
- Enjoy several different fishing techniques
- Have particular target species in mind
- Are travelling with a group of fishing mates
- Want a private and personalised charter experience
- Like the idea of spending several days completely immersed in life on the water
If fishing is only one small part of a broader family holiday, a day charter might make more sense. But when fishing is the reason for making the trip, a live aboard adventure offers a completely different level of experience.
What Should You Consider Before Booking?
Before committing to a multi-day charter, consider your group size, preferred fishing techniques, target species and how many days you would like to spend aboard.
You should also consider your comfort with spending several consecutive days at sea.
Weather is another important consideration. Offshore charters are always subject to suitable conditions, and the skipper ultimately determines whether it is safe and appropriate to proceed.
Having some flexibility in your travel plans and appropriate travel insurance can therefore be sensible when planning a significant fishing holiday.
Most importantly, talk to the charter operator beforehand. Explain what you want from the trip, whether that’s catching your first marlin, chasing giant trevally on topwater gear, exploring remote reefs or simply experiencing several days of outstanding Western Australian fishing.
So, Are Live Aboard Fishing Trips Worth It?
For the right angler, absolutely.
The real value of live aboard fishing trips WA comes from combining additional fishing time, greater range, multiple fishing styles, remote destinations and accommodation into one continuous adventure.
Instead of returning to shore just as you have settled into the rhythm of the trip, you stay out there.
You fish. You explore. You anchor for the night. Then you wake up and start again.
For anglers looking for something beyond an ordinary day charter, Innkeeper Sport Fishing offers live aboard adventures from Exmouth aboard a purpose-built game fishing vessel, with trips that can be tailored around your group’s fishing goals.
If a multi-day fishing expedition through some of Western Australia’s most spectacular waters sounds like your kind of holiday, it may be time to experience live aboard fishing for yourself.
Plan Your Live Aboard Fishing Adventure in WAReady to turn your next fishing trip into a genuine offshore adventure? Explore Innkeeper Sport Fishing’s live aboard options and discover what multi-day fishing from Exmouth can offer.