Back on the water again

It's been too long since I posted any fishing pictures from our boat. As you know my Suzuki 200 hp 4 stroke shit itself back in June. Of course that left me with no motor and a huge fight with my Suzuki dealer. I lost of course.

Funny how once they have your money, they just don't care anymore.

Anyways, enough whining. So I suck it up and go to the Yamaha dealer and plunk down a suitcase full of money for a new 225 hp 4 stroke.

Before the motor is installed I decided, since the boat is out of the water why not give her a once over. New bottom paint, new radio's, fix the leaky steering hydraulics, install the new gauges and so forth.

So, alas after much time in the boat garage she is launched with little fanfare, but she has a new and bigger motor on her butt and she looks good.

Of course first up on the menu is a fishing trip. Spur of the moment, out of the blue, the best kind. I tell Rosie and call up a couple of friends and away we go.

Nothing to fancy as we are still breaking in the new motor. Just some jigging on a nearby reef.

The day is nothing less than spectacular. A bit windy but still a cracker.

We head out and within 10 minutes we are at the first drop zone.

It does not take long before we are onto fish.

From First trip with the new Yamaha

I was using a small Williamson Vortex jig with an assist hook.

Paul nailed this little mackerel with a Lucanus jig.

From First trip with the new Yamaha

From First trip with the new Yamaha

Lucanus strikes again!

From First trip with the new Yamaha

Now it is Brendan's turn with the Lucanus jigs.

From First trip with the new Yamaha

Here is a shot of the mighty fishermen.

From First trip with the new Yamaha

Brendan, happy as pie with a light jigging rod in his hand.

From First trip with the new Yamaha

And the Lucanus strikes again.

From First trip with the new Yamaha

Even the small Barracuda's got in on the Lucanus action.

From First trip with the new Yamaha

The wind really picked up in the afternoon. Luckily we had a sea anchor to slow our drift and we could keep on fishing.

From First trip with the new Yamaha

Even the sweet lips were in on the Lucanus action.

From First trip with the new Yamaha

Sti, unfortunately did not catch anything on this trip, but he did strike a few poses for the camera.

From First trip with the new Yamaha

Brendan and I recapping the adventures of the day while Paul takes us home.

From First trip with the new Yamaha

We had a great day out and the motor purred like a kitten.

I can't wait to get out again.

Tight Lines

Big Boy's Toys

Just finished our first commercial.

Virgin no more

A good friend of ours named Loren, who you met in an earlier post, Great day with a mixed bag, asked if we would like to help him pick his new boat up from Suva. This pick-up would involve some fishing as well as getting the boat back to his dock. Who can pass that up?

We set the plan for an early morning departure. It is a 45 minute drive to the boat so we all pile into a taxi before dawn and head out.

There is a chill in the air but as the sun breaks the horizon our bone warm up.

From ChiChi delivery

By the time we reach the boat it has been prepped and is ready to go. Just a few last minute pointers for Loren from the builders and we are ready to go.

From ChiChi delivery

Loren's boat is a 24ft version of my boat. Very stable and comfortable to ride in if we were to run into any bad weather. That was not to be. It was mill pond flat and a real pleasure to be out on it.

From ChiChi delivery

As we left Suva Harbour there is always a plethora of sights to see everything from sunken ships to mega yachts.

From ChiChi delivery

Not forgetting to mention the Supa Blu.

From ChiChi delivery

If you have ever entered of left a large busy harbour with completely inadequate markings, then you will relate to theis image. Myself and Loren trying to find our way out of the harbour.

From ChiChi delivery

We are almost out and here is a shot of the weapons for the day.

From ChiChi delivery

Here is an awesome sailing vessel we passed on our way out.

From ChiChi delivery

Once clear of the harbour we made a bee line to some reefs that looked really fishy on the charts. I insisted that Loren take a few casts while I get to drive his boat.

With the drift set and the water looking fishy Loren and Rosie proceeded to cast poppers towards the reef. It did not take long before we all saw the strike. Loren's popper was violently taken by a good size fish. After a good fight and a couple of guesses as to what the fish was, we finally see that it is a nice Spanish Mackerel (Walu).

This was not only the first fish on the boat, but it was also Loren's first Spanish Mackerel all on the maiden voyage.

From ChiChi delivery

We fished on for a while but nothing else was biting. The weather started to look a little iffy so we decided to head home. The ride was smooth and comfortable and Loren was happy.

Here's a shot of the boat's new home.

From ChiChi delivery

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There is a change a coming

I will be back in the water on September 23rd.

I cant wait. More updates soon.

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A very sad tale of a dead Suzuki motor

I have a very sad tale to tell. A tale of immeasurable heartbreak and one that continues to this day. My Suzuki 200 hp 4 stroke has salt water in one of the cylinders. Now this is something you can deal with if your motor has 3000 hours on it, but my motor has 450 hours and is still like new.

Here is the story in a nut shell

The problem arose on a recent fishing trip. I was about 15 miles from Pacific Harbour when I noticed the engine was idling rough. When I tried to accelerate the engine would hesitate and then accelerate, but only up to 3000 rpm. When I would bring the throttle back to the neutral position the engine would cut out. I then turned and headed for home as it was getting late and I wanted to get back before dark. I managed to make it back but the engine would only do 3000 rpm for the entire trip. I arrived at my dock just after dark and proceeded to flush the motor and clean it.

The next day I pulled the spark plugs and found the starboard side number 2 cylinder plug was fouled.

I then purchased new plugs from Niranjans (Suzuki dealer) and installed them. I was hoping this would solve the problem. I took the boat for a test run and it did the same thing, idle rough, hesitate, and not go over 3000 rpm. I returned to the dock and pulled the starboard number 2 plug. It had water on it and when I tasted it, it was salty.

This sad tale happened over six weeks ago. Since that time the one and only Suzuki dealership in Fiji, Niranjans, has done absolutely nothing. They have my motor, but have not even taken a look at it. Now they have stopped taking my calls and when I do get through to someone they tell me they will get to it the next day.

Needless to say their smoke and mirrors is not working with me. I know they do not want to warranty my motor, which is shit. Now I am left to my own means of seeking and extracting any sort of satisfaction from them.

So I start here with my blog. This has affected my ability to fish, which does not make for a very happy or calm Fish Whisperer. Nor does it give me any wonderful tales of fishing to share with you all.

Now I ask you all, if you know of someone high up in the Suzuki company that could be of assistance, please send them my tales of woe or send me their email/contact. Maybe, just maybe there might be a silver lining to this.

In the mean time I truly might go mad if I do not get to fish soon.

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Callan

My Johnson outboard

I post this for you all to have a good laugh. I might have to change back to Johnson.

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Everything days

I really wanted to eat fish. Maybe that sounds a little harsh, but it was true. I wanted to eat fish.

So what does any self respecting angler do? Go fishing of course. After all, buying fish is out of the question. Although I must say that with the current price of fuel, $2.50 per liter, it is probably cheaper to buy fish than take the boat out and catch fish.

Never mind, it's only money and besides I love fishing.

With the boat loaded we head out around 7:30 am.

Included onboard is Brendan, videographer and jigging mad.

John, business partner and always ready for a fish.

Rosie, partner in everything and always ready to show us how to fish.

And of course myself.

A little chop but otherwise a magnificent morning.

We come out of the river mouth like a race horse out of the gate.

A short trip across the channel and within 30 minutes our lines are in the water.

Rapala Lucanus jigs, River2Sea Octo jigs, Soft plastics, and a 3.5 ounce metal jig were the lure of the day.

Brendan's first fish on the boat was sent back to the deep as bait by Rosie. It took about 30 seconds before the bait was smashed. Whatever it was it had teeth and was really fast. It was probably a Spanish mackerel, but we never saw it before it cut three layers of 50lb leader. Note to self, bring steel leaders when fishing live bait.

Next up was an awesome surprise, I was using a little knife jig on a 30lb set-up, when out of nowhere, SLAM! I am hooked up and this thing is tearing off like a bat out of hell. After a good fight and a trip around the boat I manage to bring a nice GT onboard.

From John, Brendan, Rosie and Callan

Not long afterwards Brendan hooks up to a Rainbow Runner.

From John, Brendan, Rosie and Callan

A few more mixed species are caught within the hour nothing really picture worthy.

Then things slow down for a while and of course that means it is time to have some fun.

From John, Brendan, Rosie and Callan

From John, Brendan, Rosie and Callan

Damn, why am I not catching any fish? The hooks are sharp.

From John, Brendan, Rosie and Callan

Now it is Johns turn to put one on deck. A nice little grouper.

From John, Brendan, Rosie and Callan

I then proceeded to land a Blue trevally on a knife jig.

From John, Brendan, Rosie and Callan

John now has the hang of this soft plastic jigging thing as is evident by his smile.

From John, Brendan, Rosie and Callan

I am only going to briefly touch on the subject of Brendan breaking his brand new jigging rod. I think the image of him pouting says it all.

From John, Brendan, Rosie and Callan

This was definitely one of those everything days. We caught 22 fish with maybe 10 or 12 species. We had sun, rain, wind and everything in between. Including a rainbow.

From John, Brendan, Rosie and Callan

We ended the day with fish in the ice chest and smiles on our faces.

From John, Brendan, Rosie and Callan

Until next time.

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VoliVoli

It has been forever since my last post, my apologies. Unfortunately I get caught up in work and when my one day off comes around I don't want to do anything. Enough whining and feeling sorry for myself.

My mother came for a visit and we had planned to take a mini vacation with her. We booked a few days at a resort called VoliVoli. It is located on the other side of the island near a town called Rakiraki. It is about a four hour drive from us. One way is a sealed road and the main artery for that side of the island. The other way is the road less traveled and not yet completed. I guess we shall follow the road less traveled.

From volivoli trip

Unfortunately it had rained earlier, which made it a bit slippery.

From volivoli trip

The scenery was beautiful.

From volivoli trip

Lots of really lovely villages and scary bridges.

From volivoli trip

From volivoli trip

From volivoli trip

Boys skipping school

From volivoli trip

The road less traveled.

From volivoli trip

From volivoli trip

Future fisherman

From volivoli trip

Watching the cows eat.

From volivoli trip

Finally the dry side of the island and the sugar cane fields

From volivoli trip

Sugar cane

From volivoli trip

More sugar cane

From volivoli trip

We are getting close now, I see the sign.

From volivoli trip

From volivoli trip

From volivoli trip

The sea, the sea

From volivoli trip

From volivoli trip

From volivoli trip

We are almost there.

From volivoli trip

Finally VoliVoli

From volivoli trip

We arrive there in the afternoon and are met in the parking lot by Nick, one of the owners of the resort and our fishing guru guide. We unpack and have a look around. The layout is beautiful and our rooms are number one. After a few drink we make our plan to go fishing the next morning.

Up at the crack of dawn and all ready to go. A bit windy but nothing we cannot handle.

This first day is going to prove to be a learning experience. After a bit of casting the bite finally starts. Rosie lands the first fish of course, but it did not come in easy.

As we would learn, these fishing grounds are littered with hazards. Bommies, small sunken reefs and very smart fish were the recipe for our demise.

From volivoli trip

We proceeded to hook and lose several fish along with a few lures. Now that may seem ok for many, but for us, well we do not usually lose lures, especially on 50lb braid.

This day would prove very trying for us. We lost four fish and three lures.

Nick Darling, one of the owners of the resort and our guide for this trip, with a nice GT.

From volivoli trip

A well deserved beer after the ass whipping we got.

From volivoli trip

A new day and the weather is a bit iffy but spirits are high.

From volivoli trip

We have a new game plan. Today it is 80lb all the way with tight drags and heavy tackle. A repeat we will not have.

From volivoli trip

Rosie again starts the day out with a nice Red Bass.

From volivoli trip

Followed by a good GT. Amazing that for the size of the fish they pull really hard and fight really dirty.

From volivoli trip

Yours truly waiting for my turn.

From volivoli trip

A scad mackerel. Good for bait.

From volivoli trip

After a grueling five hours of nonstop casting I finally hook up to a GT. Not the biggest but well worth it.

From volivoli trip

Now the bite has turned on and almost every bommie is holding bait and GT's.

Rosie with a nice one.

From volivoli trip

I have upped the ante with this one.

From volivoli trip

A few more were caught and unfortunately the sun was setting and we had a ways to travel back to the resort. We have finally worked out the formula and it is looking good for our third day of fishing.

From volivoli trip

We wake to a beauty of a day.

From volivoli trip

View from our villa.

From volivoli trip

Surveying the area.

From volivoli trip

Unfortunately our third day fishing would not eventuate. An emergency came up and we had to leave on a moments notice. I would like to thank Nick and his family who own and operate VoliVoli Beach Resort. They have done a wonderful job of creating a unique and friendly place to visit. The food was great and the their company was most enjoyable.

We have to get back there and finish what we started and plans are already underway to do just that.

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VoliVoli Beach Resort

http://www.volivoli.com/

Volivoli Road
P.O. Box 417
Rakiraki
Fiji Islands

Email: info@volivoli.com
Resort: +679 669 4511
Fax: +679 669 4611

US contacts

Andy and Lynn Siebert
Scubaworld Sacramento Inc.
5114 Madison Avenue
Sacramento CA 95841

Email: dive@volivoliresort.com
Phone: 916/955-2038
Skype: lynn.siebert
Fax: 916/338-0277