Fredericks Reef is a small atoll with a large rock called Ridge Rock at the southern end, a sand cay called Observatory Cay and a lighthouse at the northern end. The reef is around 30km2.

The reef is located is some deep water and drops sharply to over 2500m on the western side. It forms a J shape, with the lagoon inside known as Anchorage Sound.

It is in the Coral Sea, over 220nm north-east directly from Gladstone.

The reef gets its name from the ship Frederick, which first reported sighting of the reef.

We have fished there a few times and have caught all the usual suspects. On good days, it is Wahoo Central with wahoo going that hard at lures that they launch themselves into the air.

The map to the left shows some of the depth contours in the area, in meters.

This reef is in an area classified "High Risk" for contagion of Marlin Fever. Therefore all stories, pictures and video from this area carry the same risk.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Saturday saw the wind back to 15 knots. There were no wahoo on the troll and we mainly caught white lipper and green jobfish with Nigel catching a lovely coronation trout to claim fish of the day. We left for Frederick Reef at 1700 hours on a fairly comfortable sea. Some large white lippers were caught in the southern lagoon.

We all eagerly anticipated a ten day trip to Swain Reefs and the Coral Sea for early in 2006. The dates from 15 to 25 February were indelibly imprinted into our minds as we had not fished this early in the season before and wondered what may be awaiting our lures and hooks.

We stopped at Fredericks Reef on our way out to Kenn Reef. Not wanting to waste any time, Grant nailed a massive Wahoo. If it had been any bigger, they would have needed a bigger boat!