I'm Going To Fiji Info Needed

[Tsujiki]

I have to work in Fiji for two weeks in July. I have to go back in Sept for a week. Does anyone have any experience fishing there?

They wouldn't send me to Panama or Belize last year because they new I wouldn't get any work done. I told them if they didn't send me to Fiji I was putting in my two weeks.

[tetepare]

Kadavu.

A nice place to stay is Nagiga Island. Big plus with Nagiga is if you surf the Island has its own breaks. Big seamount just off shore.
Bring a good 8 kg set up and your in for a shot at a world record for wahoo. The average size is 25 kg with plenty bigger if you can get them in the boat.
Plenty of yfin though they are getting hammered in this part of the world. Big dog tooth, dollies, spanish plus blue black and striped marlin.
Most resorts will take you fishing cheaply in banana boats with 2 stroke 25 tohatsus. Sometimes you will not be able to fish as boats are reserved for divers/surfers over fishing.

Your best bet book one of the boats in Nadi that will come out to Kadavu. Run 7 miles or so to the seamount every day. Relax back on the island with a Fiji Bitter and some fresh sashimi watching the surf. Paradise.
Dan

[searich]

If you have a couple of days, venture south of the main island to Kadavu and you'll want to hook up with Capt. Adrian Watts at Matava Resort. Adrian has a real nice setup with a boat called the "Bite Me". You're 5 minutes from the outside of the Astrolabe Reef and the fishing is freakin' insane. GT's and big Spanish Mackerel tight against the reef..... slide out about a 100-200 yards and your into marauding Wahoo and the occasional dogtooth tuna.... another 100 or so yards off and you're into Sails and Marlin. Add in the fact that you have 70+ miles of this reef to fish and, well, it's paradise.

We filmed a couple of shows with Adrian in 07 and can't wait to get back. If you want to watch the shows, click here for part one, click here for part two.

If you're a diver... take a day to experience the reef up close and personal, incredible dive conditions and a pristine reef.

Look them up online at http://www.matava.com/

Bula!

RC

[tetepare]

Great videos, brings back fond memories.

Nothing like a pack of angry wahoo.

Dan

[searich]

Thanks tetepare.... sure does bring back memories, even for me and I was behind the camera most of the time. Just an incredible place.... jurassic to say the least.

[tetepare]

You want Jurassic.

Go to Tetepare Island Solomon Islands. You have to bring every thing your self including fuel. No guides. Just yourself a 15 foot banana boat and 15 hp engine, the largest uninhabited island in the Pacific ocean and a shed load of big sails, hoo, mackies, yft.

Its a bit rough but the fishing is smokin!

[Tsujiki]

Thanks guys.

I'll be working at the US Embassy in Suva. I won't be able to pick where I stay.

I'm still not sure what my schedule is going to be like. I'm hoping they will have walk-on or make up charters to keep the cost down. My co-worker will not spend the money to fish.

I haven't been on a board in 10plus years. If I can't fish I'm sure I will surf.

Butch

[tetepare]

Another option are the Manamuca and Yasawa groups offshore from Nadi on the other side of the island from Suva. Very well set up for tourism from back packers to 6 star. Good surf in the Manamucas (Cloud Break can be surfed on a Sunday when it is open t the public). The Yasawa Flyer is a big cat that drops tourists off at the little resorts, guest houses scattered through out here.

Bring your own spin stick for gt's and light troller for macks. A selection of poppers, hard bodys and skirted lures and some wire and your set. You should find no problem in getting a local fisherman to take you out for a small fee in a small boat. Dont let the lack of fancy electronics and tackle fool you. Late afternoon to dark has always been my prime time for small boat trolling for pelagics in the Pacific Islands (Fiji, Vanuatu, PNG, Solomons).