Fiji GT Popping Trip on Nov 24-29, 2007

[ksong]

GT popping is not familiar to our fishermen in the U.S., but it is believed that more fishermen participate in GT fishing than marlin fishing throughout the world now.

When you go to new fishing areas, it is not uncommon you get disappointed as you expect too much, However this Fiji trip indeed exceed my expectation. The Makaira by the Sea lodge is not luxurious, but it is well maintained with panoramic view. Most of all, Roberta, the owner of the lodge, has a great knowledge of fishing and understand what fishermen need. She and her staffs are so friendly and eager to accommodate us, I felt like to stay friend’s house. I even played vallyball with them. ?

My success of this trip is attributed to Capt John’s knowledge and ability to find fish along with so many abundant GT grounds.. Capt John was a well known big game captain in Kona, Hawaii for 30 years before he moved to Tavenui, Fiji. It seems he is obsessed with hunting big GT. It is amazing he explored so many areas in search of GT in such a short period time.
You got to love ever smiling deckhand Baba.
With John’s hard work to find fish for us and Baba’s great attitude, we had wonderful time fishing with them, blessed with fine weather for our entire staying.
Thanks Randy, I wouldn't have considered to go back to Fiji whithout your recommendation.

[ksong]

[ksong]

[Minnow]

Congratulations on the successful trip.

How big was the biggest GT?

Nice pictures btw.

[ksong]

Originally Posted by Minnow

Congratulations on the successful trip.

How big was the biggest GT?

Nice pictures btw.

My biggest Gt is about 80 lbs which was caught on OTI's Komodo Popper.
We lost 5 huge GT for various reasons.

[MrBill]

Very nice. I've seen Capt John before somewhere. It must have been in Kona years ago. I've heard that the Fiji islands are some of the most beautiful in the world. The pictures are very nice. Glad to see your trip was successful.

I would have to say that you dress very nice for fishing. In all your pictures you look like you could hop off the boat and go to dinner. I see a color change in a couple of the pictures. How far from the beach were you fishing?

[SpecialK]

Originally Posted by MrBill

How far from the beach were you fishing?

In some pictures you can see the beach so it looks liek not more than a miel or 2.
I would like to take a trip to fiji sometime. It looks sweet!
ANyone kno what kind of fish the last one shown is??? FUnny looking!

[Minnow]

I think it's Napoleon Wrasse, the name might be off.
One of the best tasting fish I ever had. Hmmmmmmmmmm yummmmmmmmmy

[gman]

Congrats ona great trip, you were truly blessed with such great weather as it gets very unfavorable quick.

1. How would you rate the fighting power of the bigger GT's as some say they are one of the hardest fish to fight

2. How did you like the rod/reel combos you took along on the trip

3. Did you have alot of breakoffs from structure

[ksong]

Originally Posted by MrBill

Very nice. I've seen Capt John before somewhere. It must have been in Kona years ago. I've heard that the Fiji islands are some of the most beautiful in the world. The pictures are very nice. Glad to see your trip was successful.

I would have to say that you dress very nice for fishing. In all your pictures you look like you could hop off the boat and go to dinner. I see a color change in a couple of the pictures. How far from the beach were you fishing?

John was a well known captain in Kona. His 145.5 lbs amberjack caught in 2002 is still Hawaii record.
We were blessed with calm weather for our stay, but I don't know how I managed to throw poppers non-stop for 5 days in torturing hot weather.