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Taking rod to Raro

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Destinations
Forum Name: Rarotonga/Aitutaki
Forum Description: Rarotonga/Aitutaki destination and travel info, advice and trip reports here
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=97914
Printed Date: 29 Jan 2026 at 8:51pm


Topic: Taking rod to Raro
Posted By: revilo
Subject: Taking rod to Raro
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2014 at 11:28am
Going to Raro next week, and have booked in on a game fishing charter (Akura) - however also would love to try for a GT. Is it worth taking a spin set with some poppers? I notice nobody is offering this sort of fishing in Raro and wonder why that is? 

And nope not gonna go to Aitutaki.


Replies:
Posted By: Clutch
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2014 at 1:26pm
You can see some massive GT's at the wharf (same one you are going to) when they throw scraps over the side after filleting.
Quite amazing.

Posted By: Mike.Thomas
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2014 at 5:47pm
The GT's at the wharf are indeed impressive, but if you fish for them the locals will most likely chuck you in!
It is difficult to fish for the reef GT's without a boat, you can fish the channels through the reef but you need to pick the tides as they can be a dangerous place to be!
If you talk to the locals at the wharf you might find someone willing to take you out for a shot.
All the best.
Mike

Posted By: alan syme
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2014 at 8:29pm
Originally posted by revilo revilo wrote:

Going to Raro next week, and have booked in on a game fishing charter (Akura) - however also would love to try for a GT. Is it worth taking a spin set with some poppers? I notice nobody is offering this sort of fishing in Raro and wonder why that is? 

And nope not gonna go to Aitutaki.


Hi Revilo,

Short answers to your question is;

1.GTs in Raro have ciguatera, so no good for eating, hence locals not interested. Fish equals food in the Cooks.
2. There are not that many GTs in Raro aside from the wharf(s) in comparison to many other pacific islands. There are many more consistent places to catch GTs than Raro.
3. None of the charter fleet currently have much gear suitable for GTs on top water.
4. Fishing for GTs is not widely understood there, charter fleet are after tuna, wahoo, mahi mahi etc


5. You can fish for the wharf GTs, but poppers are ineffective there. Fish scraps are the best, but if you want to do this, the local fishing guys drink Heineken :) George and Cam from Akura especially!


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