Captain Barry Cross

Barry was born in Sydney, Australia, but grew up in Coff's Harbour. He developed a passion for fishing at a young age and was mentored by many older fishermen. He started fishing from the local pier where his dad worked, and progressed to targeting large pelagic species from the shore while casting lures. Lures then became an obsession. Barry's fishing obsession led him to Cairns in the mid-70's where he worked at Bransford's Tackle Shop under the guidance of Jack Erskine. Whilst there, he met many famous anglers, captains, and crewmen, including George Bransford and Peter B. Wright. Peter became a good friend and skippered Barry for the capture of a black marlin on 4-lb. fly tippet, one of the first marlin caught on this line size. Barry left Bransford's after eight years and became a professional guide, enabling him to pioneer topwater fishing for GTs with Japanese anglers. The Japanese dubbed him the "grand master" of GT fishing. Barry was widely featured in Japanese media and led IGFA-inspired conservation efforts for tagging and fish handling. From 1996 to 2009, Barry embarked on long-range live-aboard charters and widened his area of operation. His international adventures included Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Florida, Egypt, and Papua New Guinea. He has had the privilege of fishing with Lefty Kreh, John L. Morris, Al Lindner, Dave Csander, Billy Pate, Tony Weaver, Jody Ahearn, Charlie and Carey Owen, Rick Gaffney, Eizo Maruhashi, Shigeshi Tanaka, and Norio Tanabe, plus many others. Now 70 years old, Barry continues to share his knowledge and IGFA values with friends and inspire future generations to do the same.