NZFN SAMOA REPORT March 2023

The fishing in Samoa continues to be rewarding, with the run of XL yellowfin tuna and blue marlin providing lots of anglers with the fish of a lifetime. 

Team Troppo reports that their charters have found most of the bigger fish along the 2000m line west of Apia. The key is finding large schools of flying fish in water under 30 degrees Celsius. Apart from the yellowfin and blues, there have also been bull mahimahi and sailfish landed. All billfish have been released. 

Sally Asafo landed a 56.2 kg yellowfin to help Team Troppo win the SIGFA Terrific Tuna Tournament fished out of Apia earlier in the month.

The month culminated with Team Troppo winning the SIGFA Terrific Tuna Tournament after team members Sally Asafo landed a 56.2 kg yellowfin, and Hamish Kurrey released a feisty blue marlin and a spritely sailfish. Team Selestina took second place, releasing thirteen giant trevally, while Team Shirley B came third after weighing a 125kg blue marlin. Lots of anglers released marlin on the day.

With the SIGFA International Tournament scheduled for the end of the month, blue marlin and big yellowfin tuna will continue to be the main target species, while mahimahi and sailfish will make up the numbers. Now is also the time to get out your poppers and target those big GTs that will be cruising the edge of the fringing reefs. Jigging for dogtooth tuna will also be the go while the weather is stable and the seas calm.

Tight Lines,

Capt Greg “Hoppo” Hopping – www.fishsamoa.com