Simply paradise! - Review of Matava, Fiji - TripAdvisor

I recently stayed at Matava with my boyfriend and it was heavenly!  

We disconnected from the world and enjoyed the game fishing (We caught 3 huge tuna thanks to Joe the amazing guide and captain), ocean kayaking, hiking, and stunning food (Sammy, the gardener, is a genius). 

Go to Matava to reconnect with yourself and your significant other!

Simply paradise! - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor:

IGFA GT Record up for Grabs

As most anglers will be aware, the IGFA now has a new Record Catagory - The All Tackle Length Record. This is strictly a Release Catagory so all eligible fish must be released in healthy condition.
 As we release all GTs caught here, this record catagory is ideal for us to have a go at the World Record.

Wait ! Measure that !

The current record is 107cm so about 42 Inches, held by Patrick Sebil
We have released plenty of GTs larger than that... This season we will be measuring all the big ones with our brand new IGFA Length Scale !

For those of you aware of the hand made custom Eyre rods we use on Bite Me, you might like to take a quick look at the new Eyre Nano Technology GT Bone Popping rods. I expect them to compare well this season against the top end Ripple Fishers and Hots...

This fish would have taken the IGFA Length World Record !

US Billfish Conservation Act becomes Law

Great news for Marlin, Sailfish and Spearfish !
On October 5, 2012, President Obama signed the Billfish Conservation Act into law, effectively banning the importation of all billfish into the continental United States. The signing marks the culmination of a united undertaking by a diverse coalition of angling and conservation organizations working in cooperation with a bipartisan group of congressional champions.  Although there are no commercial fisheries targeting billfish in the US, the US has been the largest importer of billfish in the world, importing about 30,000 billfish annually.
More details here on the IGFA Website here.

More of these guys around for future generations

There are many sustainable alternatives for restaurants and retailers to offer in place of billfish; thus most restaurants have taken marlin and other billfish off the menu.

Issue 94 of BlueWater magazine out NOW!

Issue 94 of BlueWater magazine

FISHING FEATURES

where even the bad days are sensational!

BlueWater Readers’ Trip to Canada

Editor Tim Simpson led a troupe of Aussie and Yankee anglers to Prince Edward Island where they hooked enormous bluefin tuna in magnificent surrounds. But the trip was not without some unexpected challenges!

australia’s 75 years of organised gamefishing

For 75 years the Game Fishing Association of Australia has provided the organisation and framework to grow our thriving sport and evolve it to become a world leader in sustainable gamefishing. Along the way, Aussies have landed many remarkable captures, as historian John McIntyre recounts.

the longranger

In search of giant yellowfin

Imagine trying to land one of the biggest yellowfin tuna in the world from a stationary boat, amid a bunch of fellow anglers also hooked-up and jostling to follow their tuna around the railing. It’s all part of this long-range adventure.

creatures of the deep

Remoras

These fish aren’t suckers, they know what they’re doing! Why swim when you can hitch a ride?

a day to remember

A Pink Flamingo for Thanksgiving

A remarkable true story with Capt Ron Hamlin and his weirdest catch.

cairns black marlin hall of fame

Three individuals that made exceptional contributions to the development of the Cairns fishery.

prey species

Predators as prey

It’s a dangerous ocean out there! Even the mightiest predators must run a deadly gauntlet from birth.

lure lore

Part 12: A catalogue of the bizarre

Thinking outside of the box can produce some exceptional lures.

big fish small boats

Hooked-up all year

With the mobility of a trailerboat you can follow the seasons and keep catching fish all year.

classic tomes

Saltwater Game Fishing in New Zealand

A great guide to New Zealand’s history and best fishing spots.

smoke and mirrors

Mold Craft ‘Chubby Chugger’

Its big, its chunky, and it’ll catch you a lot of big fish ... just don’t expect it to look pretty.

BOAT FEATURES

a classic reincarnated

O’Brien 34 Custom Express

This custom-built gameboat has been designed with meticulous care by one of Australia’s foremost craftsmen with decades of experience in the gamefishing business.

bluewater tinnies don’t get any better

Vindicator 580

What this plate aluminium pocket-rocket lacks in physical size it more than makes up for in design, craftsmanship and rough-water performance.

REGULAR FEATURES

Newslines

Hot Bites – Australasia

Hot Bites – International

Rum Lines

IGFA Rule Book

BlueWater Calendar

A Site to See

Classic Tomes

Tournament News

IGFA Report

On the Waterfront

Charter Operators

Out of the Blue

COLUMNS

Editorial – Simpson

Pepperell

Butler

Saul

Boyce

The IGFA

The Billfish Foundation

Fiji Winter Season Gamefishing Summary

Well we are pretty much done with the 2012 Fiji winter season now. I think it could best be described as um....lets say "Challenging". A second year of continuing La Nina weather patterns reinforced last year's unusual oceanic currents and higher than normal water temperatures. Last year's wahoo season suffered a bit but the double La Nina whammy just killed the normal spectaculor wahoo fishing here.

 

Peak Wahoo Season but La Nina intervened (again)

 
 The colder ocean currents that normally run West to North East along the Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef reversed direction and any wahoo that did venture into our unusually warm waters didn't gather into packs but simply moved on....We caught wahoo but the crazy 30-40 wahoo packs just didn't exist.

 A few decent sized solitary Wahoo were landed....

 

 

  But most fish were lean around the 20kg weight....Much smaller than normal

 The winter Yellowfin Tuna fishing wasn't to bad though. Occasionally a little patchy, it did produce some decent fish around 40kg aboard Bite Me. That's a decent size for the winter time. (Summer is when we see the really big 70kg+ Yellowfin Tuna)

 

 

 We did have some fun with the Ultra-Light tackle Avets & Custom Eyre outfits. Graeme above fought several Wahoo on 3kg line class as we targeted the M-03 IGFA World Record. We got one probable WR boatside but the fish was just a bit too green and made a last ditch run, ripping the leader through Joe's hand and snapping the Double. With so few Wahoo around we just didn't get enough shots to take out the World Record...

The winter Pacific Sailfish season was reasonable but not spectaculor... We did see quite a few large sails around 60kg and surprisingly, a fair few juveniles that couldn't have been more than 15kg !
Generally the sails here average around 40kg but this year seems to have been a year of extremes.

 All in all, a pretty disappointing winter Wahoo season compared to normal years. The good news is that the La Nina conditions are definitely now coming to an end. The general consensus in the scientific community is a possible reversal to an El Nino weather pattern.....In fact there are already signs on El Nino conditions developing in the Eastern Pacific.
The best Wahoo season I have ever experienced here was during the last El Nino event. Next season could well be the best Wahoo season in 10 years....A happy thought to end with.

Issue 93 of BlueWater magazine out now – 29th Aug 2012

BlueWater Magazine is dedicated to bringing gamefishers the essential cutting-edge wisdom on offshore gamefishing, boats and equipment.

With stunning photography blended with exciting features from the world’s leaders of the sport, we aim to deliver knowledge and inspiration that will make a real difference to the success and enjoyment of beginners and experts alike.

Issue 93 of BlueWater magazine out now – 29th Aug 2012

FISHING FEATURES

Tony ludovico – a life underwater

Driven by a fierce passion to capture the underwater realm on camera – particularly the large pelagic gamefish we love – Tony Ludovico has travelled the world and spent countless hours submerged. His stunning photography reveals a world hidden to most of us behind the surface veil.

riding the current edge

This issue marks BlueWater’s 15th birthday and there have been many extraordinary changes to our sport during that time.

tackle to tackle bigger fishSubstantial advances in reel and line technology have revolutionised gamefishing over the past 15 years.

Issue 93 of BlueWater magazine out now – 29th Aug 2012 — Gamefishing Fiji - The best of Fiji Fishing:

New Shortbill Spearfish Fiji Record

Fishing report from Rick & Sheila from Australia who recently completed a live-aboard fishing trip aboard Charterboat Ika Levu. He writes;

The trip I just had was an awesome trip fishing from first landing and heading out wide to the inside of the Yasawa Islands. Then East through the Bligh Waters and onto Koro Island. Next we headed for Savusavu for a re supply. We then headed out wide and took a North direction and headed onto Taveuni, then further North to the Ringold Isles. We had a really good trip and will do something similar next year and hope to extend our trip from the 12 days this year to maybe 21 days next year and travel a further a feild.

Over the course we caught some nice Mahi Mahi to 20 kg, Spanish Mackeral to 23 kg, Wahoo to 25 kg,

 

Some large GT's, some big Rainbow Runner ( 14 kg ), a Blue marlin 130 kg, Short Bill Spearfish 24.8 kg,

Yellow Fin Tuna to 35 kg, the other Tuna Species and also Travelly Species, scad were around, barracuda in numbers, whales were very playful........so all in all we had a wonderful trip.

Its great to hear of successful fun fishing trips from all over Fiji, not just from our Kadavu neck of the woods !

Fiji 3 Day Gamefishing Tournament Returns

I am delighted to report that the Fiji International Game Fishing Association will be running their annual 3 day Tournament in September !
This Tournament is based out of Pacific Harbour so very convenient for visiting international anglers and game boats from Denarau, Suva and maybe even Kadavu ! From Pacific Harbour anglers can fish The Golden Triange - an area bounded by Bequ Lagoon, Vatuleilei island and Kadavu Island - generally recognised as the best gamefishing area in Fiji including sites such as The Golden Mile, The Washing Machine and Cakaulekaleka....
Special accommodation rates are being arranged at Club Oceanus, Uprising Resort and The Pearl Hotel. Currently being discussed is the possibility of some charterboats starting the first day from their home bases....
Great to see this prestigeous Tournament up and running again !
Here is some basic info :

Thursday 6^th September

1830 - 2100 Registration at Club Oceanus.

Team briefing for Anglers and Skippers All Skippers & team Captains must attend. Kegs and pass around food provided. Drinks of your choice can be purchased at the bar at SPECIAL Happy Hour prices.

IGFA Reps available for questions and one on one discussion to clarify the IGFA rules and fishing regulations.

Official Opening.

DON’T FORGET YOUR IDENTITY BRACELET! These will be in your Boat Bag which you will collect at registration.

Friday 7^th September

0645* Leave River for Fishing Tournament starts outside breakwater with firing of flares from the breakwater at 0700 sharp.

0700 - 1600 Fishing Start / Finish

1700 Weigh in Fish to be off loaded at Weigh in area riverside at Club Oceanus, then proceed immediately for refueling if required. Food and beverages will be available.

Saturday 8^th September

0645* Leave River for Fishing Tournament starts outside breakwater with firing of flares from the breakwater at 0700 sharp.

0700 - 1600 Fishing Start / Finish

1700 Weigh in Fish to be off loaded at Weigh in area riverside at Club Oceanus, then proceed immediately for refueling if required. Food and beverages will be available.

Sunday 9^th September

0645* Leave River for Fishing Tournament starts outside breakwater with firing of flares from the breakwater at 0700 sharp.

0700 - 1500 Fishing Start / Finish

1600 Weigh in Fish to be off loaded at Weigh in area riverside at Club Oceanus, then proceed immediately for refueling if required. Food and beverages will be available. Prize giving will commence 7pm with roast pig on a spit and happy hour beers.

*earlier departure times will be given for those that request it - still based on all boats actually starting fishing at 7am

REMEMBER YOUR IDENTITY BRACELET.

Boat mooring will be tight but we would appreciate courtesy and helpful docking with rafting up a necessity….bring buffers, fenders and ropes. Fuel will be available please see Mark (9993675), you may wish to use your own fuel filter for added safety because of the general quality of fuel in Fiji...

Boat ice will be available daily please see please see Mark (9993675), empty bags must be returned to receive a replacement.

For an Entry & Registration form, contact:

Mark Spurling
Managing Director
Marketing Solutions (Fiji) Ltd
Tel : (679) 999 3675
Fax :(679) 345 0767
Email : msolutions.mark@gmail.com

 

Wahoo fishing in Fiji on board Bite Me in Kadavu

Wahoo fishing in Fiji on board Bite Me in Kadavu by BiteMeFiji

Finally Someone we can respect at ICCAT

The Billfish Foundation’s Ellen Peel, two others

named by President Obama to key White House posts

FT LAUDERDALE, Florida, USA — Ms. Ellen Peel, the much respected president and CEO of 

The Billfish Foundation, who has also served for three years as a U.S. representative to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), has been named by President Obama as U.S. Commissioner to ICCAT.

The announcement by the White House, along with the appointments of two others, was made May 10. Russell F. Smith III was also named a U. S. Commissioner to ICCAT. The third appointee was Caitlin Durkovich, named to the Department of Homeland Security as Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection.

In making the appointments President Obama said, “It gives me great confidence that such dedicated and capable individuals have agreed to join this Administration and serve the American people. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

Because of her passion and dedication to marine resources, Ellen was asked in 2009 to serve as the Acting U.S. Recreational Fishing Commissioner to ICCAT, pending final approval by the President.

ICCAT is a 42-year old inter-governmental fishery organization of some 50 member nations responsible for the conservation of tunas and migratory species like billfish and sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, and its adjacent seas like the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Peel said, “I’m very much honored to be appointed to serve for the White House in the Commissioner position. The challenges are great, but I am committed to advancing and defending the fishing opportunities for all U.S. fishing interests, including raising the priority of both the recreational fishing industry and the billfish species.”

Peel recently began her 16^th year as the head of TBF, a post many in billfishing and marine conservation say was a position she was born for.

Growing up in Long Beach, Miss., with the Gulf of Mexico as her back yard, she’s at home on deep blue water oceans as she is fly fishing a remote trout stream. She broadened her appreciation for the outdoors by working for the National Park Service, before pursuing a law degree at Ole Miss. With a desire to represent big migratory fish including billfish species she continued her studies with a masters of law in marine resources at the Univ. of Washington in Seattle. With her specialization she worked in Washington D.C. at the Center for Marine Conservation getting a solid background with the law-making process.

Despite many challenges like the reduced worldwide populations of billfish caused by commercial longlining and netting, her message has remained clear – good conservation pays in benefits to the fish stocks, the oceans’ ecosystems, improved fishing opportunities, strong economies and prepared future generations of ocean stewards and users. Through education, research, science, advocacy and uniting the recreational fishing community as one powerful voice, TBF’s accomplishments have been many including key socio-economic work in Central and South America, its Tag & Release program and worldwide technology on three oceans.

Now in its 26^th year The Billfish Foundation works globally to advance the conservation of billfish and associated species and to improve the health of oceans and dependent economies. TBF’s website is billfish.org. Ms. Peel can be reached at 800-438-8247 ex 108.

 

The Bamboo Spa @ Matava - a sanctuary on the island of Kadavu, Fiji

Matava - Fiji's Premier eco Adventure Resort is proud to have opened the first full service Pure Fiji Spa on the island of Kadavu.

The Bamboo Spa is the first and only full service Spa facility on Kadavu. We decided to partner with Pure Fijias our environmental policies and missions are so much in line.

We are proud to have Ms Channel Joy join our management team as our Spa Manager and Senior Beauty Therapist since opening. Chanel has been a professional in the spa industry in Fiji since the 1990's and was one of the designers and managers of the Pure Fiji Spa at Pure fiji;s headquarters in Fiji.

Matava Resort is proud to have installed this Spa purely using the alternative power already available at the resort. All water heating and lighting is supplied by purely solar systems. 

The Bamboo Spa

- a sanctuary on the island of Kadavu

Step lightly over the gateway to relaxation - a symbolic beginning to your journey through this oasis - leaving behind cares and the outside world as if on a far distant shore. Each guest's journey is unique... 

As part of our full body rituals, your path begins with another soothing experience rich with symbolic meaning - a warm foot soak in fragrant coconut milk bath... a welcoming and cleansing gesture which will leave you feeling serene.

Choose your path through this sanctuary, with a promising selection of natural treatments lovingly made with uniquely Fijian plant extracts - heavenly massages and wraps, miraculous facials, and the most luxurious of spa pedicures and manicures. 

Indulge your body with one of our unique signature treatments; experience all of our world-class facilities for a total spa escape and ritual.

With flowers freshly picked from the Resort's gardens and the exotic fragrances emanating from the spa’s entrance and hidden gardens you realise you’re in for a truly unique experience. The tranquil surroundings and discreet staff lend a sense of peace and harmony in balance with nature.  

Not only will skin and body be refreshed and revived - but every choice on this journey will leave your heart a little lighter, your spirit a little brighter until we at the Bamboo Spa welcome you once again.

The Bamboo Spa features the nourishing products of Pure Fiji.

Pure Fiji is committed to quality and embodies a passion for the beautiful people, traditions, and environments of Fiji.

Pure Fiji employs nearly 500 people from seven rural villages, a human network that produces cold pressed nut oils and natural packaging materials. Hand-made paper made from natural fibers, traditional masi bark cloth, woven baskets, and nut oil production provide these communities with sustainable income while perpetuating honored traditions and unique skills.

Pure coconut oil, the base ingredient for all of Pure Fiji's products, has been used for hair care, skin care, and massage for generations. Pure Fiji's natural bath and beauty products include luxurious body butter, hydrating body lotion, coconut sugar rub, shampoo and conditioner, coconut milk bath soak, and nourishing body oil.  

Pure Fiji

discover the south pacific secret for beautiful skin and hair

For centuries South Pacific and Fiji islanders have used pure coconut oil and flower extracts to nourish, moisturize and beautify both skin and hair. Pure Fiji brings you the best of these traditional blends for today's natural bath and body care. Discover intensive hydrating body oils, creamy coconut lotions, nourishing hand made soaps and fresh sugar scrubs that will get your skin glowing.

Protecting the Environment & Reducing our Carbon Footprint

Pure Fiji is committed to sustainable manufacturing and reducing its carbon footprint. Botanical ingredients such as the blend of nut oils are wild-harvested 

This reduces our requirement for energy dependent irrigation and fertilization methods thus limiting our carbon impact. Bottles used in packaging are PET which are an environmentally responsible choice as they require 24% less energy to produce and generate 40% less solid waste than glass bottles. Gift packaging is made by hand using natural fibers such as handmade paper or in delightful woven baskets.

What are we doing right now to improve conservation?

Eco-smart production

Sustainable Raw Materials

Botanical ingredients produced in Fiji are harvested sustainably without impact on the plants themselves or the surrounding environment.

Processing of several of the ingredients used in formulations rely on hand-operated cold pressing of nuts into oil. This limits the carbon impact on the environment while creating employment opportunities for rural communities.

Some of the methods employed in processing the ingredients use a natural source of energy such as passive solar dryers. This eliminates the need to use bio-mass, electric resistance, or liquid fuel-fired heaters.

By-products from coconut husks and the shell material from oil bearing nuts are recycled as mulch and fertiliser.

The structures which support these enterprises are often made of local, environmentally low-impact materials such as plaited sago palm roofing. Such buildings are bright, airy, and cool, eliminating the need for artificial lighting or ventilating. Some suppliers of the processed botanicals minimise any environmental impact by running generators etc on natural, unrefined coconut oil.

Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava - Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI Dive 5 Star Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator.  Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views.

 www.Matava.com

Pure Fiji is a natural bath and body products manufacturer which caters to the exclusive spa and salon industry. Founded 12 years ago by Gaëtane Austin and her daughter Andrée, Pure Fiji began research, development, and production of their uniquely Fijian products around the family kitchen table. Organics and natural products are popular now, but Pure Fiji has always appreciated the numerous benefits of coconut oil and the myriad of botanical and herbal curatives and remedies that have been utilized by the Fijian people for hundreds of years. Having pioneered the use of local nuts and botanical extracts into true South Pacific therapies, their spa located within the grounds of the factory premises serves as a invaluable research and development tool for both the products and the uniquely Pacific spa therapies which complement them.  

www.PureFiji.com

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The Bamboo Spa - a sanctuary on the island of Kadavu | Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort:

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Tagging a Blue Marlin aboard Bite Me

New Custom Eyre Rods for Bite Me

Bite Me now carries a new pair of Eyre Wishbone Series 15kg custom rods and we got the chance to try them out on some 20kg yellowfin last week. These rods are built tough for Bite Me but have the superb finishing that comes standard with any Eyre hand built rod.

 

 

 

Needless to say they made short work of a little yellowfin tuna !

They were brought over from Australia by one of my regular clients, Graeme, who like nothing better than to knock off a trophy fish on ultra-light tackle. Last trip he knocked off an 18kg Wahoo on 3kg.
We actually had a quadruple hook-up so whilst Graeme went after the fish on the 3kg Eyre Pirate, Joe and Alex skull-dragged the two yellowfin in on the new Wishbones.

 The weather wasn't kind this trip but when you fish 3kg and fish is a good fish !  This Narrow Barred Mackerel was fun (and technically a Fiji National Record) but we wanted bigger and it did make wonderful Kokoda for dinner !

 One of our Eyre Pirate rods trolling 3kg whils we tried to dodge thunderstorms...