Tonga Report

A slow beginning in July with ‘stop – start’ billfishing but by the end of the month good numbers were turning up and the average size increasing.
The weather improved as the month progressed … small lows coming in from the NW, created a short chop running against the current.
The Humpbacks were also a week or so behind schedule but now the pods are
numerous with young frolicking calves to delight whale watchers.

Bait …..  still a bit patchy in a few grounds but the middle ground around the FADs holding well. Skipjack size is small for this time of the year and may be related to the stop–start billfishing, experienced in the early part of the month.
Heaps of flying fish about and the yellow fin appear to have moved on – the only areas yellow fin being reported are around the FADs.

Billfish …… a bit slow for this time of the year and not feeding aggressively. Strikes are half hearted with a lot of billing instead of eating ….A few days reported of 3 to 4 shots a day. Fish in the range of 100kg – 130kg being reported with a few, with a few reports of fish in the 150kg size. No B/Marlin or S/Marlin reported but quite a lot of Sailfish action.
Paul Mead on Doria Malia nailed a Sailfish close to Swallows Cave …. Just 15 minutes from Neiafu harbour

Wahoo …. Slow fishing but good fish being reported in the 18kg – 23kg range.
The South Bank is producing some good fish and elsewhere is a bit hit and miss.
Whilst not plentiful they seem to turn up with regular monotony when you are live-baiting ….. clipping the tails off the skipjack then coming back for the rest and without even pulling the rubber band.

Mahimahi….. Plentiful to the point of plague proportions … and some very good fish in the 18kg – 20kg range.  Around the FADs was the best action either lure or straylining 

Yellow Fin …. Not much to report but one boat managed to catch a 10kg Big Eye Tuna whilst jigging for Yellow Fin. So how do you tell the difference?
The Big Eye has a striated liver whilst the Y/F liver is smooth.
 

Tonga Tournament News……

Tonga International Billfish Tournament
September 7th – 14th 2007
5 day Tournament and the event is part of the IGFA offshore world championship. The winning team of the Tournament will be invited to the grand final held in Mexico – May 2008.

Contact: Heinz Koster
[email protected]
And more ……………

NZ Fishing News Tournament
September 19th – 26th 2007
4 day Tournament

Contact Mark Airey for details
[email protected]

Tonga Fish Tales © - Steve Campbell - reprinted on the Fishing Website with permission
[email protected]