FAD fishing is part of the offshore blue-water program we use at Ocean Blue in Vanuatu. A FAD is a Fish Aggregating Device. When the conditions and fish activity make it the right option, we may work offshore FADs to target Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Marlin using surface casting, jigging and trolling.

We do not treat a FAD as a guaranteed stop or rely on one fixed technique. Our crew assesses the conditions, the activity we find and the species your group wants to target, then builds the fishing plan around the best available opportunity. On one day that may mean casting surface lures; on another, working jigs beneath the boat or trolling while we search the wider offshore water.

Key Takeaways

What is FAD fishing?

FAD stands for Fish Aggregating Device. At Trees and Fishes, we work with Vanuatu Fisheries to build and deploy nearshore fish aggregating devices that assist local fishers in accessing pelagic species. Within the Ocean Blue fishing program, our blue-water itineraries also identify offshore FADs as part of the ground we may fish when targeting pelagic species.

For guests, FAD fishing is best understood as one possible part of a flexible offshore day. It is not a separate, fixed product and it is not a promise of one particular species. The crew decides whether an offshore FAD is worth working based on what we see on the water, the conditions and the fishing goals you have shared with us.

We do not publish individual FAD positions or exact offshore grounds. Those are part of the local knowledge our crew uses to build the fishing plan while you are with us.

What can we target around offshore FADs in Vanuatu?

Our current Blue Water Sport Fishing Adventure identifies offshore grounds and FADs as part of the program for Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Marlin. The species present and the fishing opportunity can change from one day to the next, so we treat every visit as an assessment rather than a guarantee.

We use the information in front of us to choose the technique. That means looking at the conditions, bait, surface activity, depth and where the fish are holding before selecting a starting method.

We do not force one method all day. A successful offshore session may involve several changes as the opportunity develops.

Casting surface lures

When there is suitable activity near the surface, we may move into casting. Our wider Vanuatu program uses poppers and stickbaits when a surface presentation is the right fit for the water, bait and fish behaviour we are seeing.

Poppers create stronger splash and disturbance, so we may use them when we want a more visible surface signal. Stickbaits offer a more natural baitfish-style presentation and can be the better option in calmer conditions or when fish are not committing to a louder lure.

The crew will help you choose the presentation and explain the retrieve. The goal is not simply to cast as far as possible. It is to put the appropriate lure into the opportunity we have found and work it effectively.

Jigging below the surface

When fish are holding deeper, vertical jigging gives us a way to work below the surface. We use jigs around FADs when the sounder, bait or fish activity tells us the opportunity is lower in the water column.

Depth and current influence the way a jig fishes, so the crew chooses the jig weight and sets the drift around the conditions. We then guide you through the drop and retrieve, helping you keep the lure working through the strike zone.

Trolling as we search the offshore water

Trolling lets us cover water while we search for the next sign of activity. We can keep a spread working as we move through offshore areas, then change to casting or jigging when a more specific opportunity develops.

In our blue-water program, trolling is not always the entire day. It is one useful part of a flexible approach that also includes casting and jigging when the fish and conditions call for it.

How our crew makes the call on the day

A FAD is only one part of the picture. Our crew makes the fishing decisions on the water, then adjusts as the day develops. As one of our guides puts it: “We don’t chase one method, we read what the fish are doing and adjust.”

This is the same crew-led approach we use throughout our Vanuatu fishing program. Read How We Read Vanuatu’s Conditions to Choose the Right Fishing Technique for a closer look at the information we use to make those decisions.

“We don’t chase one method, we read what the fish are doing and adjust”.

Spike Lieberman, Ocean Blue Fishing

What tackle do we provide for FAD fishing?

We provide the core charter rods, reels and tackle needed for our Vanuatu fishing program. That gives us the flexibility to move between casting, jigging and trolling as the opportunity changes.

We prepare the core equipment, help with rigging and guide you through the technique selected on the day. If you enjoy fishing personal gear, you are welcome to bring your own poppers, stickbaits, jigs and terminal tackle. Let us know before travel so we can help you build a practical selection that works alongside the charter gear we provide.

For our personal-lure categories and rigging guidance, read our Vanuatu Lure Guide.

When do we fish FADs in Vanuatu?

We fish Vanuatu throughout the year, but we do not describe FAD fishing as a separate season. Whether an offshore FAD is part of the plan depends on the target species, prevailing conditions and activity we find on the day.

If you are planning a trip around a particular species, start with our Vanuatu fishing seasons guide and tell us what you are hoping to target. During your stay, we refine the day-by-day plan around the opportunities available at that time.

FAD fishing as part of a stay-and-fish holiday

FAD fishing is part of a broader lodge-based blue-water fishing experience with Ocean Blue. You stay at Trees and Fishes Private Retreat, head out with our crew for the fishing day and return to the lodge to dine, relax and prepare for the next session.

Every Ocean Blue stay-and-fish package includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch on board, dinner, return airport transfers and the fishing program. Across a multi-day stay, we have more scope to adapt the fishing days around your priorities and the opportunities we find, whether that includes offshore FADs, casting, jigging, trolling, reef edges or other blue-water ground.

Wild fish and ocean conditions always shape the final plan. What we provide is a prepared boat, core tackle, experienced crew and a flexible approach to make the most of the available opportunities.

Frequently asked questions about FAD fishing in Vanuatu

What does FAD mean in fishing?

FAD means Fish Aggregating Device. In the Ocean Blue program, offshore FADs can form part of a flexible blue-water fishing day when the conditions and fish activity suit.

What fish do we target around FADs in Vanuatu?

Our current Blue Water Sport Fishing Adventure identifies Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Marlin as offshore FAD targets. The species present can vary, so we never guarantee a particular catch.

Do we use poppers and stickbaits around FADs?

We may use surface lures when there is a suitable casting opportunity. The crew chooses the presentation based on the activity, the conditions and the fish behaviour we see.

Do we jig around FADs?

Yes. We may jig when activity is holding below the surface. The crew selects the jigging approach around the depth, current and fish activity on the day.

Do we provide FAD fishing tackle?

Yes. We provide core charter tackle for casting, jigging and trolling, together with crew guidance. You are also welcome to bring personal lures, jigs and tackle if you would like to use them alongside our supplied gear.

Do you share exact FAD locations?

No. We keep our exact offshore locations private. Our crew chooses the best available ground based on the conditions, fish activity and your group’s fishing priorities.

Is FAD fishing suitable for first-time anglers?

It can be. We provide the core gear and guide guests through the method selected for the day. The approach depends on the conditions and the type of opportunity we find, so we will choose a practical way for you to take part.

Fish Vanuatu’s blue water with us

FAD fishing can add another dimension to an Ocean Blue Vanuatu fishing adventure: surface casting when fish are active, jigging when the opportunity is deeper and trolling while we search the offshore water. Tell us the species and techniques that interest you when you enquire. We will build your Vanuatu fishing plan around your goals and make the most of the conditions and opportunities we find on the water.

Explore our Vanuatu Blue Water Sport Fishing Adventures or contact our team to start planning your stay.