Mark Berg has fished all over the world and been to most parts of Australia – including Cape York – but he’d somehow skipped Weipa.

His life changed last week when he returned from a fishing trip with Far North Fishing as part of his television series, Mark Berg’s Fishing Addiction.

“I can’t believe I haven’t been before; I’ll definitely be back,” an elated Berg said from Cairns Airport on Friday.

“It’s got to be the best place in Australia for fishing offshore with light tackle … if not the world.

“Everything we did this week, from being in Weipa from going down south on the mother boat, it was fantastic.”

Berg said he had been to Cape York “many, many times, probably up to 50”, but had mostly been up near Seisia or on the east coast.

“Weipa was definitely a step up. The all-round fishing is superb. The estuary systems were just superb.”

Berg had a number of highlights, including catching a rare species for Cape York, a barramundi cod.

Charter Kurt Gane hasn’t caught one in this part of the world before and both were amazed.

Another highlight was the barra fishing.

“Using surface lures and sight casting to cruising barra and then seeing them turn and smash you … it doesn’t get any better.”

Berg’s third highlight was the chopper flight down to the mother ship, anchored up at a secret location.

“It was the best chopper flight I have ever been on,” he said.

“The view of the water was incredible. We saw dugongs, crocs, manta rays, the lot. It’s a special part of the world.”

The Weipa charter was paid for by Gane’s Far North Fishing as a way to promote both his business and Weipa in general.

“It does help us but it helps Weipa more to get this kind of exposure,” Kurt said.

“Mark was amazing, really friendly and the way his show works he brings a prize winner on the trip.

“I think Charlie, who comes from Innisfail, had the time of his life.”

The show will air later this year and Gane hopes it will bring more tourists to Weipa and spark more interest in fishing charters.

“We’re so lucky up here to have a great fishery and most of it is catch and release,” he said.

“People know when they come here they get a great time, even if the fish aren’t going off, but they usually have some good days.”

Berg praised Gane and his family for their hospitality.

“It was professionally done and we couldn’t speak highly enough of our time here.”

This article appeared in Cape York Weekly, 10 May 2021.