Reply With QuoteThat sounds and looks like an awesome trip mate!! Well done getting that big GT on the 30lb gear toosome beautiful looking fish tops stuff!!
cheers
Brandon..
Well....I dont know where to start with this one and I could talk about different sights and aspects of this trip for ever I reckon.
We left for Fiji on the 6-10-08 bound for Taveuni which is a long trip but one well worth the effort.For me it was a family trip however they know its always based around fishing....Ha Ha.
I managed to fish 5 days but only for 2-3 hour periods which I found long enough anyway as casting big 100-150g poppers on heavy gear is very hard on the arms and my left shoulder is still feeling it now.
My main focus was to chase BIG GT's and any other fish that would smack a popper.....Heres a run down on how the trip went...
Day 1
On the first day we had a quick troll to see if there were any Wahoo about but after an hour of catching smelly Barracuda we called it quits and we headed for 'Vuna Reef' which looked spectacular.Shallow reef on one side and deep blue water on the other.We popped the deep side of the reef and five minutes into it I had a 100g 'BlackJack Cubera' smashed on the surface.
A savage battle as you would expect and I had my first GT on the boat which at a guess would have been 16-17kg.
I was quite stoked with this early in the session but things only got wilder and I ended up landing 5 good GT's for the morning and missed about 3 other hits.
One fish that emerged from the depths was an ABSOLUTE monster and he simply nudged the popper gently but I didnt hook up.He was a good 30-35kg and looked unbelievable in the water.
Also along with GT's I managed to pop up a nice Red Bass.
(Jackextractor) I did give you a thought as I know you love these species.
One more neat 10kg GT after the bass and then we called it a day.
Day 2
The second day was a tad quiter but still an awesome day.
I started the day with a big nasty Trigger fish that decided to attack a popper.
My god these fish are agro little buggers with serious teeth to match.
I then was dealt a serious clobbering.
Popping with a 'Jai Kingfish popper' I casted near on the edge of the reef and a Massive GT smashed the popper.I fought him for about 30 seconds before he decided it was enough and ran along the reef nearly beaching himself on the rock and busting me on a 100lb twisted leader.
After this the GT's went quiet so I popped on the lighter gear 30lb in the hope of some more reefies for some variety.
Well...as you can guess a good GT decided to eat the small Roosta popper and he ran at lightning speed into the shallow reef.
I waited for the bust up and got 'Archie' (the Captain) to slowly reverse away from the reef.Amazingly the fish stopped,turned and came back into the deeper water.The fight on the 30lb was long,nerve racking and hard work that lasted for a good 30-40 minutes.Eventually I won the battle and landed my best GT for the trip at around 20kg.
A small break after that fish and I decided to continue with the heavier outfit.
No more GT's that morning but I did land a beautifull reef fish of some kind (that the locals call snapper...?) that had some fierce pulling power.
Maybe some knows what this one is...???
Day 3
Again we did a morning session but the GT action slowed considerably and it was only very late into the session that I managed 1 fish for the day that went about 10kg caught on the 'Halco Haymaker'.
Day 4
A RAGING southerly hits and we had to deal with 25-30 knot winds.
The front of the reef wasnt an option so we did a short two hour session on the shallower protected side of the reef.
This turned out to be quite productive.Not for GT's but for some fantastic Red bass,Bluefin Trevally,cod and small trout.
Day 5
The southerley persisted so again a small inside session was the only possibility although we did sneak around the side of the reef where I managed another awesome Red bass on a big 'River 2 sea Dumbell Popper' and one small jobfish (of some sought..???).
The trip came to a close on the 14-10-08 and was for me pretty spectacular.
The waters,fish and water clarity over there are just unbelievable.
For anyone heading to Fiji I would suggest that unless you are going to a well known 'Fishing resort'.....That you take ALL your own gear over.
Everything from rods,reels,lures right down to pliers etc.
If you just head out (like I did) with the local fijians they dont have the best gear and are not well equipped.
Back to the lovely sunny coast now....Raining and howling wind.
Cheers
Pete
That sounds and looks like an awesome trip mate!! Well done getting that big GT on the 30lb gear too
cheers
Brandon..
great report pete,,,,,,, i dunno why you came home!!!!! i heard the weather had turned nasty and may have held you up for awhile longer
just when are you going back tho',,,, and do you need someone to help carry your gear??????
choppa
can it get any better??????????????,,,,,,,,,,,,,,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgG_TxEPaQE
great report and pics Pete. Looks like a must do trip for GT chasers
Looks like you planned the trip well, stocking up on plenty of poppers!
" awesome" is the word Pete. That's what it takes to drag U away from Noosa I guess
Great fishing and excellent photos sounds like fishing paradise good to see a happy fisherman ..matt
A bad days fishing has got to be better than any day at work......
Top shelf report and pics Pete. Very inspirational stuff!
Couple of quick questions: what hooks are you running on those poppers? Did you try running single hooks at any stage, or does it not make any difference to hookup rates?
Also, how long are the twisted leaders you use? I love this system, and have learned to tie them, I just don't know what the optimum length is.
Interested to hear your comments on the Shimano GT Special too.
Thanks for sharing mate.
Cheers
Angus
searchin' for my lost shaker of salt
Excellent Pete!
Great GT's, all out of the boat. Did you try landbased??
That's a top looking reefie of some sort, almost looks like a black bass........kinda.
And those Red Bass are rippers aren't they, fight like buggery!
Good trip shags, when's the next one???
Jeff.
ps. did the locals keep the fish or what??
Excelent report and thanks for sharing your adventure with the rest of us.
are these commonly called "twisted dogs""" ,,,, i have about a dozen in my tackle box,,,, have no idea where or how i got em,,,, and i was going to ask the manufacturer,,, our own "rod harrison" on what you do with em,,,,, just haven't got around to itOriginally Posted by Red Bull
choppa
can it get any better??????????????,,,,,,,,,,,,,,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgG_TxEPaQE
Mateeee, sensational! About bloody time you put a swag of nasty gt's into the boat!
What they lacked in monstrosity, they sure made up for in quantity.
How long was the average fight time on them with the doggy and 100lb?
Great fish again!
Matt
Hey Angus,
No I didnt run singles at any stage.
I still believe they reduce your hook up rate...I used the Decoy GT Special trebles which are very expensive but what isnt when it comes to gear for GT's...
The twisted leaders are about 8ft and yes they are one of the best systems for sure.
The shimano GT special rod performed very well.
For the $$$ I reckon its a great piece of gear.
Hear is a shot of the rod under load.
Pete
WOW!!!...awesome fishing!!!...crystal clean piccies...im lovin it!!!...thanks very much for sharing...appreciate it
Mrs Benno1
Hey Jeff,Excellent Pete!
Great GT's, all out of the boat. Did you try landbased??
That's a top looking reefie of some sort, almost looks like a black bass........kinda.
And those Red Bass are rippers aren't they, fight like buggery!
Good trip shags, when's the next one???
Jeff.
ps. did the locals keep the fish or what??
We ended up keeping the big one.
The locals love it when you give them a fish.....and the fish fought to the death.
I tried to revive it but it was pretty well dead.....Shame but the locals eat EVERY single bit even the head and the guts.....YES they eat the GUTS.
You coming on the next one mate or what..??????
Pete
Yep, I'll be in touch, abbo will be there too, I'm sure.
See you soon.
Posting Permissions
