CAPTAIN BILL BILLSON

Captain Bill Billson is internationally renowned with over 30 years as a professional Captain and crew. Some of his outstanding achievements include winning the Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic 5 times runners up as many and winner of the largest tournament in the southern Hemisphere, The NSW Interclub, 4 times to name a few.

He has been Captain for world records of black Marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, and mako sharks. And was the Captain for the largest blue marlin and striped marlin ever to be caught on fly fishing tackle.
 
He has been running sport fishing workshops since 2001 and has had over 200 students, complete his workshops.

Bill, aged 54, has been game fishing since the age of 10. After finishing an apprenticeship as a Marine Engineer, and running a successful business for years, Bill bought his first sportfishing boat. Though it was only 5.65 meters (18 feet) it was a consistent club Tournament winner in Sydney, and had some outstanding captures to its name. Bill's 458 lb Blue Marlin on 30 lb test helped establish the now successful blue marlin fishery out of NSW.

Bill's boats and his ambitions grew steadily. After setting two world records and winning the largest gamefishing tournament in Australia he set a goal of becoming a charter boat captain. The Great Barrier Reef became Bill's second home as he travelled to Cairns for 4 months every year to work as a crewman fishing for the giant blacks. After 5 seasons Bill had an offer to run a boat in Cairns.

Bill's relationship with the Viking began in 1986, and after six years of building up a business and a reputation, Bill bought the Viking from his employer.

After a total re-fit and re-power (work which was all done by Bill) the original Viking became one of the most consistent and successful sportfishing charter boats working out of Cairns. Clients included such notables as Skip Smith (ex-skipper of the "Hooker" and one of the world's best known world record charter boat captains), Dick and Marg Love (multiple World Record Holders), Tom Pfleger (multiple World record holder), and Tracy Melton (Melton International Tackle and famed stand-up specialist).

One of Bill's regular clients, Tom Pfleger, who has fished with him consistently for 10 years, formed a partnership with Bill to design and build a new State of the Art Sportsfisher. Bill was commissioned by Tom to be the sole principal and hands on engineer for the project. In July 1997, the new VIKING II was launched. She is considered to be one of the most outstanding, practical and versatile sportsfishers that Australia has to offer.

In 2001 Bill purchased the VIKING II and has maintained it in pristine condition ever since. The vessel now in its 14th year has achieved some remarkable fishing achievements with Bill Billson as captain

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