Ok. I had a a couple of popper casting sessions around Aitutaki (Cook Islands). Got a big GT on, held onto it for a while, then the line broke. So, heres' some advice (for what its worth). I was using 24kg braid (power -pro). I think the line broke where there was Spider hitch knot, to make a double loop in the line. I subsequently discovered that the spider hitch reduced strength to about 46% of the line strength - ie very low. A much better knot, according to tests done by Sam Mossman (reported in NZ Fishing News), is Bimini Twist (with 10 turns), approximately 98%!!! of line strength. So, if you are casting poppers for big fish, like Kingfish, GTs, swot up the Bimini Twist. Also - I reckon, if you are going after seriously powerful fish, line strength greater than 24kg is warranted - I intend 37kg from now on.

Light Sp gear for inside the lagoon will be a lot of fun for you mate, the little "Muu" or sweetlips they target inside the reef are very nice and tasty  and good fun on light tackle, and there are heaps of other species to chase in the lagoon itself.
Outside the lagoon, around the reef, it seems that GTs are about the only species they have, I asked if they got red basss or bluefin trevs, but I was told no, just GTs. Nothing wrong with that of course! :-)
We went out with Mark Baxter, don't know otehr charterers over there myself, however there are a couple I think, googling them should help.
Take some trolling/jigging gear too, as you can get xos wahoo, as well as dogtooth tuna off the reef edges, but be warned, mega shark country! I would recommend trolling with at least a 50lb braid set for the wahoo to try and get the fish to the boat before the noahs nail it. We wound up having to use a 400lb handline before we could finally land one wahoo. Fed 5 lures to sharks first though! :) lol
Also ,get some ultra-tiny livebait hooks, hooks about the same size as the ones you get in lucanus type slowjigs, for live baiting small mullet around the fads there... they get monstered by yellowfin, it is a real hoot.
Aitutaki is an amazing spot, one of the brightest gems in the pacific I reckon. You will love it I am sure.
cheers, Stu.

Who took you out over there? we will be over that way in a few weeks time.  Were you fishing inside or outside of the reef?  In your opinion was there enough action over there to warrant taking heavier poppering gear over or would it make more sense to take lighter softbait gear over for playing inside the reef.

 

Look forward to your feedback

a favourite local trick to rig up a heavy rope or 500lb handline, attach a homemade tyre tube bungy to it and tie to a tree/post or similar with bait in the GT season. baits can be small fish or even young freshwater eels. not much sport but effective. lots of the GT's on aitutaki have ciqueratera poisoning so it is less popular to fish for them now as they are no longer food. generally the fishing has been very average in both aitutaki and rarotonga this year to date.