Like to fish Vava'u, Tonga this winter?

It is easier than you think! NZ Fishing news is hosting its annual ‘Vava’u International’ trip this October.

While the contest is organised by Jeff and Janine le Strange of the Vava’u Sport Fishing Club, the trip is lead by two experienced Pacific fishing travelers in Naomi ‘Nod’ Kininmont and NZ Fishing News editor Grant Dixon.

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The event was first fished out of the Royal Sunset Resort on the island of Atata, to the north-east of the main island of Tongatapu, with just a handful of anglers participating.

The event grew and was moved 200 miles north to the Vava’u group where for the first year a small ‘cruise’ ship, the Oleander, was used as the ‘mother ship’  – pioneering stuff.

This year the event headquarters is the Tongan Beach Resort with back up accommodation provided at the adjacent Mystic Sands.

The fleet, with its long-standing skippers and crew, is an experienced one. Keith McKee has more than 20 years  fishing the local waters with his well-known vessel Kiwi Magic. Similarly Jeff Le Strange and Henk Gros, with their boats Hakula and Target One have been contest stalwarts. Another boat synonymous with Vava’u is Reel Addiction, formerly skippered by Steve Campbell and now operated by Lole Lolesi and his brother Norsa. Steve is not out of the picture, having left his base at the Ika lahi Gamefishing Resort, had a look around the Pacific before realising there was no place like ‘home’, returning with a Luhrs 34 sportfisher which will be part of the contest mix, Lavuenella, a New Zealand built Westcoaster, is also in the mix.

The contest was designed originally to give Kiwis a taste of pacific fishing, guided by people who had been there many times before. Nothing has changed.

Competitors either arrange or are placed in crews of four with boats being draw for each day. Fishing is over four days with crews amassing points on a ‘per kilo’ of catch. There is a strong emphasis on tagging and releasing billfish, reflected in the allocated tagging points. Contest species include black, blue and striped marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, mahimahi, shortbill spearfish and wahoo.

The top angler takes away a cheque for $1000 with other high achievers receiving trophies created by local craftsmen.

It is one of those events that is genuinely not about winning, but participating.

One of the highlights of the prizegiving are two calcuttas run – one for the top boat and the other for the top crew. Proceeds go to the Vava’u Sport Fishing Club’s FAD replacement account.

Where: Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga

When:  October 23-30 (encompassing labour Weekend)

Cost: $3,750 anglers or $2,150 non-anglers

Deposit: $500pp with booking (non-refundable)

What you get: Return economy airfares ex-Auckland/Tongatapu; return domestic airfares Tongatapu-Vava’u; seven night’s accommodation share-twin; four days fishing, quarter share basis; seven breakfasts; five dinners; four lunches (anglers only); contest entry; airport transfers in Tonga; and a tournament polo shirt.

For more information and bookings contact Nod Kininmont 0274 412 146 or email her [email protected] or Grant Dixon 0274 925 533 [email protected]

 

   News courtesy of  
New Zealand Fishing News

Re-publishing elsewhere is prohibited

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