We chose Ocean Blue’s Vanuatu trip as the best option for us with minimal travelling required & a facility that could look after our 9 guests in comfort.

From the moment we arrived on the late Sydney flight we were welcomed with open arms by hosts Anthony & Angele & transported back to the Trees & Fishes Resort ready for a couple of days fishing & relaxing.

The boys awoke to an amazing view over Rana Beach & after a good breakfast headed off for their first great days fishing. Plenty of hits from all types of species with several blue marlin hook ups but unfortunately we couldn’t get any to the boat on day 1. All the boys enjoyed a few beers upon returning to shore & the dinner put together by Angele was outstanding. A group of Ni Vanuatu fire dancers was organized for the evening & this went off really well with all our guests.

Day 2 was as amazing as the first & the 2 boats went separate ways with different strategies for the days fishing. Both boats got amongst some fish with the lads on Azzura having a great afternoon landing several big fish including a nice Dogtooth & Marlin.

The group was interested in doing a few other things during the brief stay & our hosts organized a great feed at a local restaurant with a visit into town after for some beers before heading home for a well-earned rest. On day 3 a couple of guys went on a morning surfing safari, all organized by Angele, while the rest of the group did some sightseeing in town with a small trip around the Port in a local boat to see a few sites.

This was followed up by a trip to the Cascades waterfall on our way home. It was absolutely worth the effort & I would recommend this tour to any visitor. Overall our trip was outstanding with plenty of things jammed into a few days & all the time being looked after without any fuss or questions.

Thanks to our hosts Anthony & Angele for looking after us all so well. The whole experience we all had will stick with the lads forever.

Adam Ryder,

Cooks Plumbing Supplies

They were a lot of fun onboard and up for anything, so we did it all, popper casting, jigging, trolling, down rigging, gamefishing, even deep sea dropping for sea bream, bass and cod.

Day 1: We put a few lures on the troll and caught a nice bull mahi-mahi and a decent couple of wahoo. Then the guys wanted to try a bit of jigging for dogtooth, didn’t take long to locate the fish and the guys landed a few smaller models and bust off on bigger fish. Back to the lodge for some well earned cold ales!

Day 2: The wahoo are in good numbers right now so I took them to an area that always does well for me, we trolled some lures, caught 2 and dropped another couple. Then we came closer inshore to do some casting around the island fringes and washes, you can get anything here, from GT’s, jobfish, trout, bass, big cod etc.

Jeff pulled the hooks on a solid GT just at the boat. We also picked up a nice bluefin trevally, they look great and go hard, always good for photo and release. Guys called it a day & back to the lodge for some well earned cold ales!

Day 3: We did an early start and went to a remote seamount. Over there everyone landed yellowfin tuna between 15 and 20 kgs and about a heap of smaller ones also between 5 and 10kgs. A few sharks were around as well. We lost a couple of nice tuna from the sharks and caught 2 bronze whalers of about 40kgs and one big one over 100 kilos (released). We also got into a few big rainbow runners. Topped it off with some deep dropping for some Golden Big eye Bream for the table! Big day on the water, the guys worn out and headed back to the lodge for some well earned cold ales!

Day 4: We decided to go to Monument rock, an impressive towering island monolith similar to Balls Pyramid at Lord Howe, impressive scenery! Over there we got one nice dogtooth of about 20kgs, and a few wahoo also (15-20kg). We also got a couple of big barracuda. A few marlin were around also, but no hookups. At stumps, they headed back to the lodge for some well earned cold ales!

Day 5: Wind had picked up slightly overnight. The guys wanted to try for marlin so we focused well offshore, raising a
few blue marlin. One hit the long rigger but in the wind & swell the line wrapped on the top roller of the rod and the
line snapped. Tough break, but this happens in gamefishing! Then we just stopped and watch the marlin jumping for about 5 mins until it dislodged the lure in it’s mouth.

Day 6: The boys were tired from all this fishing so they decided a visit to town was on the cards then back to the
anglers lodge to relax and wind down at the bar….

Andrea Traverso,
Skipper “Azzurra” – Ocean Blue Vanuatu

On the previous fishing trip I enjoyed the Ocean Blue experience with local identity Remy Frouin aboard Bolero, it was a five day live aboard fishing trip catching Marlin, Wahoo etc.

I returned with my good friend Peter to find the same quality fishing was still avaliable, except with a twist, we were introduced to extreme jigging and popping ! We experienced some unbelievable fishing in some of the most exotic locations in the world. Massive dogtooth Tuna, Giant Trevally, Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo and the list goes on. Our skipper Andrea kept mixing thing up to keep us on the fish as much as possible.

We trolled out to seamounts which rise out of the deep blue to with 100m from the surface, once there we continued to troll until the fishing began to slow, then we stopped to jig the seamount. Our jigs were regularly slammed by fish with immense speed and power so we continued to jig until our arms could no longer hack the pace. Then we would return to trolling to the next destination. Andrea took us to some magnificent reef systems to cast poppers and stick baits for Giant Trevally, Red Bass and other pelagics.

The fishing was spectacular and the scenery was just as impressive. Large mountains climbing steeply from the depths up to the clouds above, lava rocks covered with the bright green dense jungle.

After each day`s fishing we were greeted upon arrival by Angele and a cool wet towell to wipe away the sweat and refresh our sun beaten faces. After a quick swim we`d enjoy a nice shower in our well appointed accommodation then venture down to the bar area for a cool ale.

The catering provided is excellent with a great selection of beer, wine and spirits is available at very reasonable costs. Angele would serve platters made from local produce, tasty, fresh and vibrant in colour. Then when we were all ready for dinner we would relocate to the foreshore dinner setting and watch the sun go down. There we enjoyed generous servings of restaurant quality meals having excellent presentation. The hosts and staff of Oceanblue fishing are very friendly, proffessional and accommodating allowing us to enjoy an experience to remember.

Thank you Anthony, Angele, Andrea and Tony for such a memorable fishing holiday.

Nick Davi, South Australia

The phone rings as I’m heading up the highway, its Dave Noble, Mr. Ocean Blue. After exchanging pleasantries, we get to the important part of the conversation, what type of trip has he got planned and when do we fly out. Dave mentions that the destination is Vanuatu and that this is a special trip in that location we’d be taken too has rarely been fished recreationally. He also notes that we need to fly out in two weeks… Tough ask.

With such a quick turn around and the Marlin season in full swing, I wondered whether I could make this work. Untouched paradise and the promise of a trip I’d never forget was enough to kick me into gear. A few phone calls and emails went out after we got off the phone and I quickly confirmed to Dave that I’d be attending. A quick call to Craig went out and invite extended. Ever since I met Craig, all he’s been harping about is his desire to catch a Dogtooth Tuna. This was his chance and he jumped aboard.

Tackle was sourced quickly!

The trip itinerary is simple, fly to Port Vila, stay overnight, get taxied to the fishing lodge, hop aboard the fishing machine that is the 32 feet Edgewater “Azzurra”, troll approximately 60 miles to the Maskelyne Islands where we would stay on the 50 feet mothership “Cooloola” for four nights and fish for five days. A 34 feet Black Watch “Ratua” would also be joining us and they would focus on the Blue Marlin and we’d be focusing on the sportfishing side of the equation. As this was an exploratory trip, we would be quite mobile and attempt to cover as much ground as possible. Luckily on Azzurra, we had no issue in doing so! When we moved, we moved fast!

Day 1 – 13 March 2012

Anticipation was high, but we managed a few hours of sleep before waking at 5:00am to meet Anthony (Ocean Blue Owner), who would taxi us to the new fishing lodge approximately 30 minutes from Port Vila (and accompany us on our trip). On arrival, I was impressed! This is an awesome facility and in its final stages of construction.

Our vessel, the 32ft Edgewater “Azzurra”

The fleet:

We ate an awesome breakfast, met the guys and promptly put the lures out for the troll up to the Maskelyne’s. Any wonder why we’re trolling for Blue Marlin 100 meters from shore?

The weather looked the goods for the trip up!

About an hour into our troll, we encountered some XOS Yellowfin Tuna which was busting up bait balls around us. Unfortunately they were as flighty as ever and motoring near the school put them down. It was still an awesome sight to see 60kg+ smashing bait now more than 50m away!

Due to time constraints, we couldn’t hang around for long and continued our north track. Another hour later a greedy Shortbill Spearfish at the long rigger which was an 37kg outfit and as you’d expect the fish quickly fell off. The remainder of the run up was uneventful, but we got plenty of sun and had plenty of banter amongst one another.

I was fast asleep when Captain Andrea Traverso said we were in Dogtooth Tuna country. No more than 20 seconds later, the 24kg growled violently after a swimming bait had been snuck out past the prop wash and had been consumed by something. I was up and quickly realised that I’d almost lost half a spool in the first run!
This fish knew where home was and found his seamount residence, slicing through the 300lb leader like butter.

Luckily we didn’t have to wait long when Craig’s rod shot off, and he put the brakes on a nice fish! Nailing his first Doggy personally and for the trip.

Double hook ups were the norm.

The heavens opened up and a break from the 30 degree heat beckoned. The weather change didn’t affect the fishing though!  With single and double hook ups on Doggy’s to 25kg!

Craig decided he wanted a bit more variety when he hooked a nice GTl! Craig looks somewhat impressed with the capture too!

For about two hours, the fish were biting freely on every pass over the seamount. Doggies to 25kg, and GT’s were a good start and nothing short of HOT fishing. All on board were feeling somewhat buckled once we turned for home just before sunset to meet up with the mothership and the anchorage.

We were served with cold beer and gourmet food on arrival, does life get any better?

Day 2 – 14 March 2012

I could live getting up to this for the next few days…

After an awesome brekky, we again headed off to the headlands which we no more than five minutes from the anchorage, no 50km runs here! It didn’t take long for us to find the fish either, with Red Bass/Coral Trout keeping us entertained!

It’s all easy, until you hook these buggers! After all the fish we caught over the week, I remember this one clearly! Craigo did an awesome job after hooking this fish right on top of an ugly looking bommie, a great capture!

By this time, the sun was a little higher and we moved out into deeper water to see if we could tangle with some more Dogtooth Tuna. That didn’t take long either with a number of Doggies succumbing to our offering of live Rainbow Runners. It was almost too easy, ALMOST!

The fishing was tough, but rewarding!

Day 3 – 15 March 2012

We were again blessed with type of weather that you see in the brochures and set off for an early morning popping session.

We had managed a few Bass, until my popper was absolutely clobbered and the skipper made it known that what I had on, could be the fish of a lifetime. The pressure was on!

A proper 19kg of drag doesn’t feel nice on what amounts to a beach rod…

Game face!

Fishing for GT’s sounded fun at the time…

Almost!

15 minutes after hookup, a lot of lower back pain and we managed to get this big puppy in the boat. The boys made a conservative estimate of 50kg+. ABSOLUTELY STOKED!

More fish..

After the big GT, we stopped for lunch.

The Doggies came on in a BIG way in the afternoon when we had them around the boat and crashing our poppers!

Craigo hooked the biggest Dog of the trip, at 36kg on a live Rainbow Runner. An absolute pig!

Andrea showing us how it’s done!

We also managed some other fish throughout the day as we moved from spot to spot, rarely leaving empty handed.

A nice Bluefin Trevally, between these and the Red Bass, you’re generally kept on your toes before something bigger eats your offering. I had dropped my jig down about 100m when it was absolutely punished quickly upon retrieval. Thinking I’d hooked a GT, I went as hard as I could on PE6.

About 15 minutes that, this awesome creature appeared. Close to being the fish of the trip for me personally. The pictures don’t do it justice!

These WERE new jigs…

A great days fishing!

The fishing was consistently good throughout the entire day and there were a few hectic moments in between when the switch was flicked that two or three of us were hooked up at the same time. We saw free jumping Sailfish, stacks of bait, lots of bird activity. Good fishing if you can get it!

Day 4 – 16 March 2012

The final day and last beckoning! By now we’d done everything we’d come to do, so we just focused on making the most out of the remaining fishing and enjoy ourselves on what would be the finale of the trip of trips!

The day started off in an unbelievable manner when there were literally acres of rat Yellowfin eating anything we threw at them! We got sick of catching them so we went back to hookless poppers!

Peter with a Wahoo on the pop!

This really was the trip of trips, our expectations were blown away after the first session and it just got better and better. Get onto the website and book a trip! (http://www.oceanbluefishing.com/).
Dave is the man and he’ll go that extra mile to make the trip that little bit better. This was my second trip with Ocean Blue and won’t be my last!

I can’t think of anything that could have made this trip any better than it was. It’d be nice to be able to catch all those fish and not need serious chiropractic work on the return to Aus, but we can’t have it all our own way.

Don’t think about it, just get out there and do it!

More pics from the trip:

Anthony Dimech, Vanuatu Live on Board Adventure

Last month I had the opportunity to close the office door and jump on a plane to revisit the islands in search of some big dogtooth tuna, GTs, bluefin trevally, wahoo, job fish, coral trout and many other large reef dwelling creatures…

My hosts for the trip were Ocean Blue Fishing Adventures (founded almost two decades ago) who had just reopened their unique Trees & Fishes angling lodge on the shores of Port Havannah, and I was lucky to be one of its first guests.

Trees & Fishes Anglers Retreat (website coming soon) is the ideal location for anyone wishing to sample the quiet side of the island. With brand new, very comfortable accommodation, personalised service, incredible meals and access to some of the best fishing in the world – it has to be sampled first hand to really get what I am on about. I spent the best part of a week at the lodge with the owners and crew from Ocean Blue, heading out daily on their new 32ft EdgeWater to tackle some of Vanuatu’s largest bluewater inhabitants.
The fishing was outstanding to say the least. We were dropping jigs into between 40-120m of the bluest ocean I’ve ever seen, coming up trumps on many occasions, while being handed my backside on a platter on others. I also got to test the Saltiga jigging and popping gear on these big bruisers in the process – awesome stuff! With the weather conditions so good during my visit, we were able to travel to many distant locations including Mataso Island, Cooks Reef, Scott’s Rock and the amazing Monument Rock (pictured below) which all produced the goods.
By the end of the week, I had eaten some of the finest cooked fish & local meats, feasted daily on fresh sashimi, witnessed some of the best sunrise/sunsets and come face-to-face with a number of large-toothed monsters, as well as meeting my match against some deep-water unstoppables. The team from Ocean Blue provide a professional and personal service which I highly recommend to any travelling angler.
I’ll be putting hands to keyboard soon for a more in-depth view of my Ocean Blue Vanuatu experience – stay tuned!

Warren Keelan
Fishing Photojournalist & Ocean Photographer
www.warrenkeelan.com
www.warrenkeelanphotography.com.au

Many anglers would know the simple anglers lodge at Rana Beach back from when Ocean Blue founder, Remy Frouin, put gamefishing Vanuatu on the map almost 2 decades ago.

With the winning combination of great fishing, a stunning location & superb hospitality, for years this trip was an annual pilgrimage for countless anglers drawn to Vanuatu from all around the globe.

In the old days the trip to Rana from Port Vila town was a 90 minute bone jarring ride, today it’s a 30 minute cruise on a sealed road. Back then there was little infrastructure on this side of the island.  Other than the villages, Remy’s simple cabin was all that fronted the shores of sleepy Port Havannah.

The rainforest & sea has consumed most visible remnants of what was a prominent US Naval Base that hosted thousands of troops & over a dozen US ships during it’s peak. Today the collection of vintage Coke bottles & worn glass seen around the lodge are an insight into the colourful history of this area.

Rana Beach underwent a total transformation in late 2011, new accommodation was built, a private jetty now provides access to your waiting vessel, a sit down bar serves ample refreshments while the kitchen creates dish after dish of mouth watering meals. Angele’s locally inspired signature dishes include green jobfish curry, dogtooth sashimi, Vanuatu prime beef & local lobster, add some good French wine & now the experience is complete.

Reopening in January 2012, Trees & Fishes Anglers Retreat welcomed its first groups of anglers. It’s hard to convey in words the service & attention to detail guests enjoy during their stay here, though fishing journalist and landscape photographer Warren Keelan’s images are the best way to get a taste of what is in store on your next Vanuatu fishing adventure…

Tree’s & Fishes has the unique balance of personalized service, comfort, ambience, location, genuine hospitality & easy access to incredible waters which makes a fishing adventure here an experience for all the senses!

David Noble.

Photo’s courtesy of Warren Keelan

http://www.warrenkeelanphotography.com.au/

“After many opportunities over a long long time we’ve missed too many fish of this range for example the week before with Ocean Blue’s Russia group we lost a bigger one after 17 min fight.. This was the last day of my long summer season but always attentive fishing guide..

Location: somewhere, outer-reef from Ocean Blue west coast lodges, nice swell, 10 knots, 3 positive anglers on board using both stickbait and poppers to gauge the right choice for the day as always.
Difficult beginning, one big GT on popper show her face strangely but no hook up, but smells good. I try to find the right popper colour and my vibes drive my left hand in my popper bag for the grey silver Cubera 150… always explosive and magic for big Caledonian grandmother. Why full silver colour this day? Because the perfect sun light was effective for only a short moment and best reflection!
Before high tide, the sun shining properly and near the hot spot “big fishes point !!! A strange and quiet attack on the anglers rod, his fight on 14 kg drag taking line quickly and very furiously!

Nine minutes fight to welcomes grand mother onboard !!! Happiness on the boat, very nice and big GT. Michael did a perfect fight, no slack line, good rod angle. Congratulations Michael for your first big GT, your first real fight a true sportsman.

We did some good pictures quickly and took our time to release grand mother back in the ocean paradise !!!

Michael was the most serious, positive and motivated angler – but the least experienced on board.

We caught a few other fishes, bluefin trevally, small GT, red bass, coral trout and everyone happy. Late in the day an enormous grand grand mother follows an Orion Big Nambas but just to protect her territory, no aggression or strike unfortunately. So happy for angler Michael who caught a grand GT and good fish, as well as a 36kg but look very small !!! lolll !!!!

Rod : Smith Offshore stick Yakushima (French series) 7.3
Reel : Saltiga Dogfight
Braid : Berkley Whisplash Crystal 100 LBS 40/100
Shockleader Varivas 140 LBS

Swivel and Split Ring Sébile
Etienne’s own knots

Etienne Picquel, Ocean Blue New Caledonia guide.
March 2012.

Find out more about our Extreme GT Popping Adventures – view more

Bonus Offer open to all group sizes.  Accommodation inclusive of fully cooked breakfast and set dinner courses. For fishing onboard our 32ft EdgeWater “Azzurra”.

Start Planning Your Adventure, View More

I joined mate Will Jephcott and David Noble from Ocean Blue to travel to the very north of New Caledonia in search of the huge bonefish that are legendary in this friendly, French speaking archipelago.

Due to the complex nature of local tribal permissions New Caledonia is not a destination within which you can easily self-guide. In the past there had been some guided fishing opportunities available in the North of New Caledonia that ceased operation a few years ago. I had however recently learned of a new guiding operation involving a Northern Kanak tribal “elder” Benjamin Damas and sportfishing guide Etienne Piquel and I was keen to experience big bonefish first hand.

Getting There

New Caledonia’s capital of Noumea is such a short plane flight from Sydney that you could be forgiven for driving to the domestic terminal at the Airport. With only a short diversion, Will ably steered the car away from domestic toward International. We then travelled 2.5 hours North East into the Pacific aboard Air Calin.
Once in Noumea Etienne met us with his cheeky grin, a car and a boat in tow. Etienne spoke perfect English and his effusive personality and contagious enthusiasm were a delight. Added to the mix was a healthy dose of Aussie-style humour that lead to light -hearted sledging in no time at all……this was going to be fun.

The drive North from Noumea is around 5.5 hours long and as we weaved along the West Coast we caught glimpses of the turquoise blue waters of the coastal lagoon. The lagoon covers a total area of around 24,000km and is one of the largest in the world. Flyfishing opportunities in and around this lagoon have barely been explored and surveying the vast expanse of tropical water and coral bommies certainly got the heart racing. Etienne told stories of gargantuan GT’s and other reef ”ooglies” such as Coral trout, Red Bass, Yellowfin and Dogtooth tuna inhabiting the lagoon and beyond.

Towering mountains, paperbark swamps and streams inhabited by Jungle Perch were all part of the scenery as we meandered our way through small towns and villages. Our destination was the beautiful Gite De Poingam (dwelling at Poingham) just East of the community of Poum. Shortly after arriving we settled in for a cold local beer, some fantastic fresh local fair which includes spit roast venison and local fish washed down with a bottle of complimentary aged Bordeaux, things were looking grand.

The Flats

The following morning we planned to take Etienne’s boat to the flats to wade in search of bones. The tides were higher in the early mornings making for difficult conditions due to low light coupled with deeper, waist deep water, however, as the sun got higher and the water drained off the shallows the fish would be mobile and visible. After a short boat ride we slipped into the water on the edge of some great looking flats. The first thing to notice is the terrain; there are weed beds, sand bars, drop-offs and coral outcrops. Some of the sand was fairly barren whilst other areas were dotted with holes and burrows of all manner of crustaceans and worms. Cruising fish would be most likely to follow natural features such as weed lines and drop-offs, whilst feeding fish were more likely to be found where the holes and burrows were located.

It pays to hold your gallop and let your eyes adjust to the flats rather than wading at high pace. You need to immerse yourself in the whole environment and adjust to the little nuances that are part of the conglomerate of shades and shapes around you. Bonefish are called ghost of the flats for a reason and it’s more likely you will see bones as a smudge or slight contrast on the bottom, fast wading is also a great way to spook fish. The other thing to consider is that there are far more fish here than just bones. Multiple Trevally species including huge Gt’s and Goldens, Barracuda, Mullet, Sharks and Emperor cruise these areas and can divert your eyes. October/November see’s aggregations of Stingrays on the flats and whilst these pose little threat to waders they certainly attract bonefish as they stir up the sand.

Using Ben’s help was invaluable, especially whilst our eyes adjusted the first few days. Spotting bonefish is as much about trained eyes as it is about 20/20 vision. Ben’s ability to spot fish was a fast learning curve for Will and myself.
It was barely 20 minutes when Ben was calling to Will as some bonefish cruised some thigh deep water just out of casting range ………ain’t that always the way.

My first encounter with a bonefish was brief. After spotting several maybe/maybe nots cruising out wide I wandered to an exposed sandbar. A thigh deep drop formed a perfect highway and I spotted a pair of Trevally heading my way. A short cast and the fly was inhaled, both a smaller and larger Trevally joined the action and Will took to joining the mellee with a few casts. As I brought the Trevally in for release I looked up to see a green torpedo riding down the drop off. A double figure bonefish was right in front of me. Shaking the Trevally free I planted a rather unconventional cast in front of the fish, one twitch and the line went rigid. Within milliseconds the Bone disappeared, along with my fly. I suspect my pliers damaged the line as I freed the Trevally, the leader broke seconds later on that bonefish……….damn.

The following hours progressed with us spotting numerous bonefish travelling in schools of 5-8, none of which looked under double figures. The wind by now had increased and those buggers just knew which way to swim to give you the hardest cast. We headed home for dinner, beaten by the rising tide and the lowering sun.

Putting it Together

After months of perfect conditions we awoke the following day to a wind front that had hit most of the Pacific, we arrived 2 weeks outside of bonefish season, lesson learnt! Having a choice between wind and cloud I’d choose the wind any day, just give us the sun! The strength of the wind meant our planned day of chasing reef species before hitting the flats was not possible, for the next 2 days we were forced to fish the flats closer to land. We were not to experience the plethora of reef and bluewater opportunities this time. No problem, we had sun and bonefish.

The first sighting was a smudge, about 80 feet away, a stingray possibly? The number one rule with bonefish is cast first and question later. It was a very long cast and the fly was so much at the mercy of the wind I thought it was hopeless. With an absurd amount of luck the fly plopped within centimetres of the mark, within two small strips the line tightened, I lifted immediately to bend the rod and watched close to 150 meters of line exit my reel.

Once hooked it’s a matter of letting the fish run its course, keeping a solid bend, as much line as possible clear of the water to avoid drag and winding quickly to maintain tension. The inertia of the initial take and run is notorious for popping tippets, especially fluorocarbon, so react quickly but gently.
After considerable winding a fish of more than 6kg was in hand, this first fish was certainly very impressive. The following days also brought some smaller fish of around 3.5kg as well as more double figure fish.

BONEZILLA

By far one of the most memorable fish I have ever seen in my life came on the 3rd day. After landing some impressive fish I was standing within meters of Etienne and Ben with Will and Dave also located nearby. As I swung to talk to Etienne Something caught my eye and we all gasped at the same time. A fish of more than a meter long cruised between us. I distinctly saw the stripes on its flank and the unmistakable green back.
“Are your Barracuda green here?” I exclaimed, refusing to believe what I was looking at.
“NO, Bonefish, Bonefish” came the urgent reply!

“Oh my god…!!”

With the fish so close I dared not cast. The mammoth fish cruised behind me, I held my breath and awaited a cast where my rod movement would not spook it. The opportunity came and the Crazy Charlie landed 10 feet in front of the ambling goliath, but it just kept swimming. I can only assume 30lb bonefish don’t want size 4 flies…………..Aaaargh “where’s that 2/0 clouser when you need it?”

It was one of those moments that stay’s with you for a lifetime and I am so pleased to have had 4 other people who witnessed the fish at close range to convince me I wasn’t imagining it. I now truly knew what it meant when people talked about New Caledonia’s bonefish being some of the largest in the world.

GEAR

You need to consider the amount of gear you will be able to carry on the flats. Chest packs or waist packs that can be placed over the neck in deeper water are ideal. A small backpack for water, camera, waterproof jacket etc is important. It can get very cool depending on the month so be prepared.

The possibility of encountering huge GT’s on the flats mean a loaded12wt should be on hand. I personally would have been happy with my 6wt and a larger capacity reel for bones however the wind meant the 9wt was my chosen rod. Due to the size of the fish and conditions an 8wt or 9wt loaded with a highly visible floating line is ideal. Floating lines ensure it’s easier to see the fly location than clear tips, however sink tip or intermediate lines are useful when dredging the drop offs. Reels should have good drags and line capacity and you should wind with your fastest hand.

Leaders are best constructed of 5-8kg line, around 9-10 foot long is ideal. I opted for tapered leaders as well as constructing my own at other times. I used 3-4 foot of 20kg but, 3 foot of 10kg followed by 3 foot of my chosen tippet that was mostly clear 7kg monofilament.

Standard bonefish flies will work with most successful patterns being a tan Crazy Charlie and a white and chartreuse Clouser. Flash was kept to a minimum and the ties were generally quite sparse. Don’t discount throwing some bigger flies as these fish are seriously large. Ensure you have a good selection of eye weights with a leaning towards heavier versions. Most the fish were caught between knee and waist deep and the fly must be on the bottom to catch bones consistently.

A spray bottle with fresh water is great to remove salt from polaroids whilst alcohol wipes remove sunscreen smears and the like. Sturdy wading boots with socks to avoid chaffing are essential for wading.

With New Caledonia being so close to mainland Australia it’s amazing how much you feel a part of another world. It’s an infectious place that gets under your skin. The people, the scenery, the economy that seems to run on baguettes and those enormous bonefish that start an appetite that’s hard to fill. It’s not a place for the beginner, rather, the seasoned angler who seeks quality, not quantity. I know for sure that I’ll be ordering another helping very soon.

Justin Duggan…