Fiji Winter Season Saltwater Fishing Summary

From the beginning of 2011, the South Pacific experienced strong La Nina weather patterns. Warmer than normal water gathered towards the Western side of the Pacific leading to unusual weather conditions. Normal tropical depression and Cyclone paths shifted West and Australia's long running drought was broken. For the Fiji Islands this meant fine weather but frequent large ground swells from the South West. Normal oceanic currents along Kadavu Island's Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef stalled and the GT Popping season was significantly affected with coloured water outside the barrier reef and GTs moving from regular haunts.


The summer yellowfin tuna run started late but by the end of March, Bite Me was landing excellent yellowfin around 130lb with our best fish weighing in at 165lbs.

Our normal winter Wahoo season begins with the first wahoo packs arriving in May and by June the outer reef slopes are crowded with hundreds of wahoo packing up on reef points and current lines. Not this year. Water temps stayed stubbournly higher than normal. Our June water temp was the highest recorded for that month in 15 years....


Nevertheless we did get a wahoo run, just not as crazy as normal years. Packs averaged 10-15 fish rather than 20-30 and the average size was down from 60lbs to around 40lbs. The Kadavu Seamount proved very patchy wahoo fishing. Some days it was loaded, some days quiet. Very unusual indeed.


The Pacific Sailfish didn't disappoint but with unusual current directions along the reef and a scarcity in normal winter bait, they moved around a lot making my job a little harder than normal. Still, we did manage to take the M-06 (12lb) Fiji National Record with a sail of just over 75lbs.

The new M-06 Pacific Sailfish Fiji Record taken aboard Bite Me

The La Nina weather patterns usually only last 9-12 months so by December, the start of the next summer Popping & Jigging season, we should be back to normal. Looking forward to it.

Yellowfin Sashimi for Hong Kong

With the new direct flights between Hong Kong and Fiji operated by Air Pacific, we have been delighted to welcome more and more guests from that part of the world.
Manny and Cherry stayed at Matava Eco-Adventure Lodge for some diving, snorkeling, adventure and of course...fresh sashimi !

Even small Yellwfin put a fight on light tackle

Cherry hangs on...

Mann looks forward to his sashimi

August Wahoo

Brett with a nice Kadavu winter wahoo

August is our peak season for Wahoo but this year with rare La Nina weather conditions keeping the water temperatures unusually high, the wahoo run was a bit patchy. Bite Me still found plenty of wahoo but not so many monsters this season. Most fish averaged around 40lbs compared to a normal average of 60lbs.

Barry with a respectable Hoo

Brett tags his first Sailfish

The sails showed in reasonably good numbers but with unusual weather and wind directions they did tend to move around a lot so no specific area consistantly produced.

Darren knocked off his first Wahoo

Brett somehow managed to land all the biggest fish that week....

A school wahoo typical of this season

Matava Current Fishing Records

TOTAL Records held as at 1st October 2011
Fifty One (51)

For a great photo spread of the Fiji National Fishing Records caught on Bite Me see here the Records Photo Gallery.

Species Class Record Angler

Pacific Sailfish M-10 60.30 kg Remco Hanibal

Pacific Sailfish M-08 46.60 kg Shane Cole

Pacific Sailfish M-06 34.20 kg Paul

Pacific Sailfish M-04 31.40 kg Bill Boyce

Pacific Sailfish W-10 47.80 kg Lyn Salvidge

Wahoo M-15 44.00 kg Edmund Sturdy

Wahoo M-06 26.00 kg Adrian Watt

Wahoo M-04 31.60 kg Tim Simpson (World Record)

Wahoo M-03 19.40 kg Tim Simpson

Wahoo W-03 21.00 kg Fiona Stallard (World Record)

Wahoo W-04 4.80 kg Diane Woods

Dolphinfish M-04 7.20 kg Tim Simpson

Dolphinfish W-08 7.00 kg Renae Perryman

Dolphinfish W-06 7.80 kg Toni Carlsson

Giant Trevally M-04 10.20kg Adrian Watt

Giant Trevally W-04 7.00 kg Diane Woods

Giant Trevally W-08 9.40kg Magdeline Ko

Bluefin Trevally M-15 5.80 kg Richard Akhtar

Bluefin Trevally M-06 7.20 kg Glen Gardener (All Tackle)

Bluefin Trevally W-15 4.80 kg Jamie Martin

Bluefin Trevally W-10 3.00 kg Teresa Clemmer

Yellowfin Tuna M-04 14.60kg Tim Simpson

Yellowfin Tuna M-03 6.40 kg Paul

Yellowfin Tuna W-15 25.50 kg Anne Oberg

Yellowfin Tuna W-10 20.50 kg Teresa Clemmer

Yellowfin Tuna W-08 6.20 kg Cherie Gardener

Yellowfin Tuna W-06 5.80 kg Cherie Gardener

Yellowfin Tuna W-04 9.40 kg Diane Woods

Mackerel M-04 5.00 kg Shane Warmington

Mackerel W-06 3.20 kg Susan Raebitt

Marlin, Black M-60 103.40 kg Peter Mumford

Great Barracuda M-10 19.20 kg Owen Spalding

Great Barracuda M-04 6.20 kg Tim Simpson

Great Barracuda M-03 9.20 kg Tim Simpson

Rainbow Runner M-15 9.00 kg Michael LeHanie (All Tackle)

Rainbow Runner M-04 3.00 kg Tim Simpson

Kawakawa M-08 4.50 kg Remco Hanibal

Kawakawa M-06 2.80 kg Peter

Kawakawa M-04 3.40 kg Adrian Watt

Kawakawa W-04 4.60 kg Diane Woods

Skipjack Tuna M-04 4.00 kg Tim Simpson

Skipjack Tuna M-03 8.60 kg Glen Gardener

Skipjack Tuna W-06 7.60 kg Toni Carlsson

Dogtooth Tuna M-36 90.60 kg Bill Busch (All Tackle)

Dogtooth Tuna M-06 1.8kg Shane Warmington

Dogtooth Tuna W-15 5.60 kg Mary Alice Migge

TOTAL Fiji National Line Class Records held – Fortysix (46)

TOTAL All-Tackle Fiji National Records Held – Three (3)

TOTAL IGFA World Records held – Two (2)

Matava Records - Bite Me Gamefishing Charters

Bluewater Magazine, Issue 87 now available

FEATURES

Clarion island – where the wild things roam
Capt Josh Temple takes us aboard an 80-foot custom gameboat for an adventurous journey to the realm of the biggest yellowfin tuna on the planet. Fishing stand-up tackle for tuna to well over 300lb, they soon find themselves immersed in a fish frenzy with tuna, wahoo, billfish and more stretching the anglers until they cry for mercy. On the morning of their final day, two anglers had still to catch a yellowfin of more than 300lb. With just hours to go, will they find the fish of their dreams? Will they crumble under the pressure of a battle to the death? The answers are as exciting as these amazing tuna!

Southern playground
South Australia abounds with yellowtail kingfish and samson fish in backbreaking sizes, plus bluefin tuna and enormous white sharks.

they call the shots: Capt Bonze Fleet
This talented New Zealand skipper has quite a reputation as a marlin captain and also as a lure maker.

cairns’ giant blacks: Cairns has evolved over the past 40 years, but one thing remains the same: it is still the best place in the world to catch 1000lb marlin!

creatures of the deep: Pilotfish
These fascinating members of the trevally family seem to have an unusual arrangement with sharks.
 
Rainbow runner and bluefin trevally
Dr Julian Pepperell reveals the interesting life story of these beautifully coloured gamefish.

lure lore
Part 5 – Trolling patterns
Planning your lure spread delivers more consistent results. Jim Rizzuto outlines the techniques of the pros.

smoke and mirrors
Bonze Lures – Angel
This quality, versatile, tube-style lure creates an enormous rooster tail that is sure to attract attention.

classic tomes
The mystery of Swordfish Reef
A 1930s murder mystery set amid the real characters of the world-class Bermagui gamefishing fleet.


BOATS AND MORE
Ocean Conquest
Boston Whaler 345 Conquest
This fast and agile 34-footer is surprisingly economical while being squirted along by three big Mercury Verado outboards. Considering the built-in safety of these ‘unsinkable’ boats, they’re a great choice for offshore gamefishing.

One Man’s Boat
James McGinty’s Alcatraz
Using a Haines Hunter Formula 233 as a base, this angler transforms an
old boat into a gamefishing weapon.

The Way Of The Future?
Beluga propulsion and steering
David Pleysier’s radical new system promises greatly reduced costs while maintaining manoeuvrability.

The Wahoo Show for South Australian Angler Magazine

Shane Mensforth, journalist, photographer and Editor of South Australian Angler with mates Kosta, Eric and Jack turned our La Nina affected winter season around and got stuck into some good wahoo fishing. The first few days we struggled with some ordinary weather and quiet offshore fishing but still managed a couple of nice mahi mahi and a few missed wahoo crash tackles.

Eric & Jack with a nice double on Mahi mahi

The weather finally allowed us to one of my favourite wahoo pack spots and sure enough we were soon into some frantic action aboard Bite Me.

A quadruple hook-up, typical of a wahoo pack mass attack

Not monsters but plenty of fun on light tackle

Kosta with a nice Wahoo

Shane meets Wahoo... meets Shark !

Shane would have landed the largest wahoo of the trip if it wasn't for the attention of a couple of as yet unidentified sharks. This head and shoulders alone weighed in at 14kg. We got quite a bit of underwater footage (including those pesky sharks) which the experts are examining. Our new GoPro cameras are getting us some amazing footage..... I will be posting soon....

Not ideal popping weather and the GTs didn't bite but a few judicious casts landed a nice Coral Trout for the dinner table....and Matava Lodge Chef Kuki's special tomato & chilli sauce...

Bite Me Takes Fiji Sailfish Record

The Eyre rods and Avet SXs - Our ultra-light tackle Record hunting gear

Australian anglers Steve, Peter and Paul came to Matava Eco-Adventure Resort recently to fish light and ultra-light tackle on the winter wahoo and sailfish. We fished 3kg line class for wahoo and tunas and targeted Pacific Sailfish on 6kg line class.
Steve brought with him a new Cam now available from Avet. Called the South Florida Cam it modifies the Avet SX drag curve to perfectly suit our ultra light tackle record hunting.
The wahoo fishing was slow thanks to La Nina weather patterns but the guys did pick up some National Records including the M-03 Kawakawa and Yellowfin tuna. Deckie Glen was clearing rods after a multiple yellowfin hook-up when a chuky skipjack tuna jumped on. Turned out his skippie smashed the current M-03 Fiji National Record when it weighed in at 8.6kg

Deckie Glen chuffed with his M-03 Skipjack Record of 8.6kg

The boys hooked and fought several sails on 6kg but the sails continued to elude us with spectaculor leaps and jumps across the ocean (We have some great video to post when I get to a faster connection !)
On the last day we went all out for the M-06 Sailfish Record. Fishing Soso bay Paul hooked up a nice sail and we went into action....Winning back the belly of line, charging backwards after the hard fighting fish. With both Joe and Glen aboard to handle the leader and gaffs we finally had the sail aboard after about a 45 minute fight.

What a cracking Sail for Paul on 6kg line class

The sail weighed in at 34.20kg and subject to FIGFA approval and line testing is the new M-06 Fiji National Record

The new M-06 Fiji National Record

Sails Move In

Rob grabs a quick photo of his Pacific Sailfish

Continuing La Nina weather patterns have lead to the warmest winter water temperatures recorded in the past 15 years. The wahoo started moving in late May but the cooler currents failed and the wahoo fishing has been very quiet by our normal crazy winter standards. The winter run of yellowfin tuna is also pretty mediocre. The sails though are providing some fun on lighter tackle.

Deckie Glen releases and the tagged sail swims away

BlueWater Magazine issue 86 now on sale

FISHING FEATURES

winning strategies for blue granders
Part 2 – The first 5 minutes
In the second instalment of this series, Capt Peter Bristow guides you through the crucial first five minutes of your battle with a 1000lb blue marlin. He explains what should happen, and what could happen to the unwary.

The dangerous side of our sport
An article not for the faint-hearted! Greg Finney graphically describes a truly gruesome mishap that occurred while landing a large mako shark. Greg outlines the dangers of tackling big, powerful fish that are often armed with teeth or spears. It’s a good wake-up call to prevent potential mishaps. 

creatures of the deep
Pelagic stingray
Seemingly out of place near the surface of the open ocean, this ray has adapted to survive and thrive. 

they call the shots
Capt Ron Hamlin
This truly legendary captain has had an extraordinary career, while experiencing life’s highs and lows.

technically speaking
How to rig garfish with circle hooks
Renowned captain Ron Hamlin offers tips for success and a step-by-step guide to rigging garfish.

broome’s trailboat billfish
Western Australia’s popular tourist area offers a spectacular winter run of sailfish and baby marlin – accessible even in a tinnie.

a day to remember
Taking the plunge
Dive into a remarkable encounter between a marlin, a mako and a rather thoughtful Al McGlashan.

lure lore
Part 4 – The culinary detective
Jim Rizzuto invites you to consider six clues to determine how to select the most successful lure.

smoke and mirrors
Frozen Tree Co – the ‘Scout’
This well-crafted and successful lure has been designed specifically to run in the ‘shotgun’ position.

BOATS AND MORE
BORN TO BATTLE
Peter Teakle’s Riviera 70 Enclosed Flybridge
Clever design and a healthy budget have created a luxury cruiser bursting with fishing practicality. The owner lives and conducts business aboard for months at a time, including an annual pilgrimage up to Lizard Island.

jindra’s energy conversion
Gameboat designer David Pleysier profiles a revolutionary system to power air-conditioning, refrigeration, pumps and more.

a new icon
Formula Icon 54 – updated
This New Zealand-built vessel has been revamped for comfortable cruising on the open ocean.

an.

The Billfish Foundation Australia Experience

The Billfish Foundation adds Australia sportfishing trip to The TBF Experience

25^th Anniversary membership drive adding regional billfish adventures worldwide

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – The magic of fishing Australia’s Sunshine Coast in Cairns has been added as the newest prize trip in celebrating The Billfish Foundation’s 25th anniversary.

The program is aptly named The TBF Experience in the spirit of highlighting TBF’s focus on conservation through sportfishing. The science-based foundation is giving away fishing trips to some of the best fishing destinations in the world; an event that’s more than a membership drive, it’s a celebration of the sportfishing lifestyle. The drive runs into the fall of 2011.

“Besides our three previously announced trips in Guatemala, Panama and the U.S. which can be won by TBF members across the globe we’re adding more exciting sportfishing trips off continents around the world like Australia,” said TBF Science and Policy Specialist Elliott Stark who is coordinating the Silver Anniversary trips.

The TBF Experience at Cairns is a special trip available to South Pacific residents who join or renew their TBF membership (starting at $40) by October 1. TBF will draw one winner who, along with a guest, will join a TBF executive and Capt. Tim Richardson for two days (Nov. 21-22) of giant black marlin fishing on the Tradition out of Cairns, Australia. For more on the TBF Experience Australia, visit here .

“We’re reaching out to thank our membership base worldwide,” said Stark, ” there has never been a better time for those in Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and throughout the South Pacific region to join TBF or to experience billfishing at its best.”

“More details of these exciting trip giveaways and membership premium program is on the TBF website here ,” said Stark.

Win Trips in U.S., Guatemala and Panama

“TBF is uniting the world through sportfishing. In addition to the Cairns trip open only to those in the South Pacific, we have three prize trips open to TBF members from around the world who join at certain levels. These trips, all with expert captains, are in three of the world’s greatest billfishing destinations.”

“At the $75 membership level there’s a one day Atlantic Sailfish trip with Capt. Bouncer Smith in Miami, Fla. USA. Those joining at the $250 level will be entered to win a two day, three night fishing package for Pacific Sailfish and blue marlin with Capt. Brad Philipps in Guatemala.

“And the winner of the $500 or higher member level (one chance per $500, two chances for $1,000, etc.) can be joined by three guests for a three day sportfishing trip off Panama’s Pearl Islands for black and blue marlin, Pacific sails, big dorado and yellowfin. That trip includes four nights and three days accommodations at the beautiful Hacienda del Mar on San Jose Island.”

“We’re pretty excited how this drive is turning out,” said Stark. “Simply joining or renewing your TBF membership between now and Oct. 26, at the levels listed, gets you in the running.”

Winners of the global trips will be drawn in October at TBF’s 25th Anniversary Dinner during the Fort Lauderdale Intl. Boat Show and trips will be scheduled for 2012. For more details on the trips, visit the TBF website at billfish.org or contact Elliott Stark at 954-938-0150 ext. 101.