After Noon Quickie

We have been working on opening up a fishing tackle store here in Fiji. Boy is it a heck of a lot of work and the doors are not even open yet. We found a shop that is in a good location and a good price and split the space with a friend named John. He will be opening a meat and specialty food shop. We are calling it "Pacific Harbour Fishing Tackle and Meats".

The other day we were inside painting and cleaning up the pig stye that the previous tenants left and finished up around noon. The weather looked ok and I said to my partners in crime, "why don't we go for a fish?" Of course there was a resounding, "sure what time?" To which I replied, "let's go home grab the gear and go." So we did.

I always leave the boat ready to go. It is cleaned fueled and watered. That way all I have to do is jump in and turn the key and go fish.

It is now just after noon and as we leave the shelter of the break wall it becomes obvious that the wind has picked up out of the SW and there is a rain squall coming our way. We put the hammer down and pound our way out across the channel to Beqa Lagoon.

Soon the clouds part and the sun comes out, although we are still contending with a 15-20 knot SW wind, it turns into a beauty of an afternoon.

Ok I need to back up a bit here and tell you that John has been out with us before but the weather has always been crap and he has declined to try popper fishing with the boat pitching in all directions. Not that I blame him. So this time it is just John, Rosie and myself out and John is at the rear with Rosie out front. After a few quick casting lessons John is popping like a pro.

Not long after we start really fishing, Rosie gets smashed by a beauty of a Long Nose Emperor. These fish fight like Mack trucks. They hit the lure and head straight for any structure they can find. and with a big fat tail propelling them they can move. After a good tussle Rosie brings it to the boat so it can have it's picture taken.

From XstreemFishingCom

From XstreemFishingCom

I instructed John on the fact that most, if not all first time poppers don't catch anything. It is just part of the learning curve. So to avoid disappointment I told him not to expect much in the way of fish but to practice and have fun.

Much to my and his surprise his rod suddenly loads up and he is onto a good fish. After a dirty fight with a nasty toothy Bass, John proves triumphant.

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Things go quiet for awhile after that and we settle into a nice rhythm and everyone gets a bit comfortable. This is not to last.

When you least expect it, I think the saying goes.

Suddenly, Rosie's rod loads up and line starts to peel off. With the drag screaming and me backing out of the reef the fight is on. We know immediately that it is a GT. Nothing fights like them. Deep powerful runs followed by massive head shakes and finally the long haul up with the fish using it's massive girth to fight you all the way to the top.

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It was like someone told all the fish that it was time to bite. With in a couple of minutes Rosie was on to another GT. A bit smaller but gave a good accounting of itself none the less.

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Now it was John's turn again. This time he was onto a Long Tom and it put on quite an aerial display. He handled it like a pro.

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Then it was back to the Trevally. This time Rosie lands a nice Bluefin Trevally.

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When the fishing is hot it's really hot and with great water clarity we all got to see the next fish swim up to the lure and nonchalantly take it. Once it had the lure and was heading in the opposite direction the massive GT turned on the after burners. The drag screamed as line melted from the reel. The fight was good and fair. Moving from on top of the reef to deep water followed by great head shakes and the long slug up to the top. Once the GT was in the boat both angler and fish could relax.

From XstreemFishingCom

From XstreemFishingCom

A few pictures and now its is 4:30 and time to go home.

Tight lines

Fiji Fishing, Bad Weather and GT's

No matter the weather, or the conditions of the sea. When someone catches a hell of a big fish nothing else maters and the day is good.

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Rosie has been trying to catch a big one for quite some time. Patience and perseverance finally paid off.

This catch is a testament to good angling skills. It was hooked with only one leg of a treble and only in the lip. When it was brought on board the lure just fell out. She kept constant pressure on the fish never slacking once. The rod stayed bent the entire time and she received her just reward a really nice GT. That was how the day started.

We had a late start,after 10AM. The weather was breaking and it was decided last minute to go fishing. The action was relatively fast, we probably landed 6 fish with a lot more strikes in about 2 hours. The water was clear as glass and you could see the strike as they happened.

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We caught about four Bluefin Trevally as well as Queen fish and Bass.

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This all happened before 1PM. Not a bad morning if you ask me.

We went out the next morning to have another go.

We landed a couple Bass

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As you can see the weather is crappy and only proceeded to get worse.

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This image is just to give you an idea of the weather. We were sheltering behind an Island so the sea looks calm.

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This is Paul sitting on the bottom below the boat maybe 15ft down. Just mucking around.

Tight lines

Fiji Fishing report for first week of July

My mom and her friend Ankin, who are visiting from the states have been freezing their arse's off. On top of being cold it has been raining like hell. Very unusual for this time of year.

Well after two weeks of really crappy weather we finally had a break. The weather cleared and the temperature climbed to a comfortable level.

Deciding to make the best of it we set out for a day on the water. Some fishing, some sunbathing and some swimming.

Waiting for the strike. Ankin said she would catch the first fish.

The sun, the sun!

Ankin in action. She did hook the first fish but it smoked her.

Nice Barracuda with a smile only a mother could love.

Sea Bass pull like freight trains. If you stop them then this is your reward.

The water never looked so good.

All in all a great day out. Lucky we went when we did as the weather has now turned again and it is blowing and raining. To bad for my visitors but that is how the wind blows.

Tight lines

Fiji Fishing report for second week of June

When we got up this morning it was cloudy and drizzling, but there was no wind. So after much arse dragging we decided to go and have a fish. By now it is after 10:00 AM.

By 11:00 we are on the water cruising to a spot just a few miles away.

Things start out a bit slow. The tide has already turned and we have while until it is low. Still we fish on.

We were fishing inside the reef. Hitting all the little nooks and crannies. When all of a sudden Paul hooks up to a good size Barracuda. With plenty of jumps and a couple good runs it is brought to the boat for it's obligatory photo session.

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On a strange note, it seems lately that our first fish is always a Barracuda, don't know why but it has happened now about 10-12 times.

That lovely toothy critter was followed up by a Sea Bass

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Next on the menu is a bluefin.

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Then we get a triple hook-up of Bass and all three end up in the boat. Not bad if I say so myself.

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By this time the tide is full out and we spot a couple of schools of bait being busted up right next to the reef. This means all three poppers head in that direction.

Then suddenly a finned torpedo launches out of the water and lands mouth first on my lure. As the line goes tight I figure it to be a Wahoo or Spanish Mackerel. After a respectable fight on 30lb Rosie puts the gaff in a nice Spanish Mack.

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Not long after that Paul lands a nice Bluefin Trevally.

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Soon after the bite stops and it is time to head home. Not a bad day for a last minute fishing trip.

Tight lines

Fishing report for first week of June

Our last two trips out have been quite good. We have added a few new species to the capture list and the weather has been holding steady.

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We did a bit of trolling on the first day. After all it is Wahoo season and they do taste good.

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Now, with a Wahoo on board it was time to try for something else. Out come the skirts and here comes the Mahimahi.

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For those of you who have never caught a Mahimahi before let me tell you. They give a good fight, especially on light tackle but the kicker is when you bring them in the boat, they go mad. They are actually very dangerous, especially with hooks in their mouths. The best thing to do is put a wet towel over their eyes and they will calm down enough for you to hog tie them. If you miss with the towel look out, they are going to go ballistic. The upside to all of this is they taste great.

The next trip out saw us poppering the reef with 30lb and 50lb spinning gear. This time my good friend Captain Charles Wakeham took the wheel so I could also fish.

First up is a nice little Queen fish.

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That is followed closely by a Red Sea Bass. Normally considered a by-catch when fishing for GT's, but they do put up a good fight on lighter gear.

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As always when fishing around reefs you can expect sharks. Usually Black tip and White tip sharks are the first to turn up. Here is a nice Black tip caught on a popper.

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Going home without a GT under our belt just wont due. So here is a nice one I caught on 30lb.

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Here is a video of some of the fight with the GT.

Tight lines and Screaming drags

Fishing Report May 26, 2009

We had a bit of a break in the weather and could not afford to miss the opportunity to fish.

It was a good tide and an early start. We headed out to new grounds to do a bit of exploring. We found some fish and some sand. We had bright sunshine and dark angry sky's. We had calm sea's and a 25 knot Westerly with accompanying swells. Beginners and experienced were all aboard. Best of all we had a great time.

Enough said, here are the pictures, they say plenty.

Amazing color change on these Sea Bass. They start out reddish orange like a Mangrove Jack. Then turn blueish grey, then back to reddish orange.

Vinod with a very nice Bluefin Trevally.

Paul with a respectable Bass.

Until we meet again.

Wish you were here?

Makes you want to swim.

Makes you want to Fish.

LAND!

Picnic spot!

Going to the birds.

Snorkeling anyone?

One more look. Tight lines and good days

Finally got my fishing mojo back

I have been in a fishing slump lately. I have been going out regularly but no really catching anything.

We planned to go to Rukua village on Beqa to do a sevusevu and if we had time then a little fishing after.

The Tui Rukua was a very nice chief and we drank lots of grog and talked plenty. We spent about 3 hours with him and when we left we were thoroughly grog doped. No matter we had time for a fish so off we went to try a few new spots.

The wind was howling at a good 20-25 knts so we had to stay inside the reef.

Almost immediately upon fishing Rosie was on to a massive cod. It gave a good accounting of itself but soon succumbed to the 50lb braid. As she decided to have a break I took up her rod and had a few casts.

After about 15 minutes of drifting along and inshore reef we came upon a nice sunken coral head all by itself. I fired several casts at it when suddenly the water exploded and a giant hole opened up where my lure was. My line went tight instantly and the scream of the drag was unmistakable. I was onto a nice GT, finally. It was a good fight that the GT never gave up even at the end. After a few pictures the GT was in the water never looking back.

This was the first GT in the boat and I am hoping the end of my fishing slump.

Five more fish were landed during the session by others on the boat but I was one happy skipper.

Doing my sevusevu to the chief of Rukua village

Tui Rukua and myself

One big cod

One big mouth

In the heat of battle

Finally a GT Tight lines