Fishing Reports

The New Year started well with most boats that ventured out reporting good catches and the majority of the fleet were averaging more than 2 blue marlin strikes daily. The blues however have been hard to get hooks in with many of them appearing to just play with the lures billing them. Those who tried live baiting were rewarded.

Bait fish have been plentiful and easy to find by the abundance of birds when weather conditions allow. Unusual weather patters have seen persistant  northerly winds and and unusually high amount of rain. This has not detered the big Yellow fin tuna from hanging around and maybe the abundance of bait has something to do with this.

Yellow fin tuna in the 50 to 70kg range have been plentiful with the odd larger fish as well. It can be frustrating when these big fish are busting on the surface trying to get a hook into them but no shortage of visual excitement watching these tuna feed. The water temperature has been 28 to 29 degrees and as such the tuna appear to only be at the surface for short periods to feed.

The Vava'u Sportfishing Club has seen many light tackle tuna records broken with members enjoying the chance to battle with lighter lines in these big bait schools.

Mahimahi have been scarce recently but those around have been on the larger side of average and again the appear to be shy of lures but can be easily tricked into taking a bait. Wahoo are abundant and making a pest of themselves cutting up skirts.

Bottom fishing has been consistent with good catches of snapper and coral trout reported and for those jigging or casting poppers there have been the usual numbers of Dogtooth tuna and Giant Trevally.

The weather should be settling down now and everyone is looking forward to the consistent fishing that the months ahead will bring.