Fishing Reports

Amokura has been in friendly Vanuatu for 5 weeks now.The south east trades are easing and weather is getting warmer. Fishing too is improving as we get closer to October/November which the locals tell us is prime Blue Marlin time.

Last trip was spent with Guy and Eryn Jacobsen chasing world records on light tackleIn 6 ½ days we raised 11 blue marlin and switched 9 of them onto baits, using tackle from 3kg to 8kg.

We're never going to lead the tag or capture statistics, there is just no answer when a blue marlin goes into turbo mode and absolutely smokes you.We managed to survive several times and came oooh so close to a women's WR on 4kg after and hour and 5 minutes.

We did manage a 181 kg blue marlin on 8kg after a fight lasting 1hour 25 minutes.This was only 22kg short of world but is still a VANUATU RECORD and 20:1 capture for Guy Jacobsen.This was a great team effort with Bevan Beauchamp and Charlie (thousand pound) Tui on the deck, plus James Andrew.

Charlie has been fishing in Vanauatu for ages and his local knowledge means we are all learning quickly

Of course there are dogtooth tuna, yellowfin tuna, dolphinfish and wahoo as well a sailfish.

Amokura has only had 3 days without a billfish strike

Last Wednesday we fished out of Port Vila and found a temperature break with a log floating in it.Quickly we boated 5 wahoo, 3 dolphinfish and 5 ½ rainbow runner.Then set out the marlin teasers and raised 4 with 3 following right to the boat but only one fish about 120kg ate and was released.

As well as the fishing Vanuatu offers many other experiences.There is the Waterfront Bar with Boots the trained cat and cold local beer "Tusker". On the beer cartons is "Beer blong yumi" which litteraly means "Beer belong to you and me".

Visits to local villages on the outer islands are always special.We trade fish for coconuts, grapefruit, shells (that taste like paua) and mudcrabs etc, with the locals, who paddle out in canoes.

The beef here is organic and is sensational , the local farmed prawns are pretty good too.

Nevagivup a local boat with well known fly fisherman Tom Evans on board recently landed a 123kg blue marlin on 8kg tippet which is a pending world record. I'm sure that many people don't realise the time that goes into successful light tackle or fly captures. In fact they had done 99 days to get this fish! Congratulations to them.

Lookem You, (See you later)

Steve Hall

Skipper Amokura