[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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[ksong]

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

1. 80 lbs GT took about 50 yard on 23 - 25 lbs drag. They fight pretty hard for 5 minutes, but they don't have stamina like big tuna to fight long.

2. As weather was hot and I had to cast long hours, the weights of rod and reel was an issue. I used mostly Smith 80P/30 and Stella 16000.
Ben brought Japanese Saurus heavy popping rod and light custom made rod in Korea and Young brought 80P/35 and the same Korean custom popping rod as Ben's. The Korean rods looks PE5-6 rated rods and I thought those light rods were no match for big GT, but Ben caught a 70 lbs GT with the light rod.
Ben eventually used the Korean rod with Saltiga 6000 exclusively and Yound used The Korean rod and Stella 16000.
They paid only $220 for the custom rod with Fuji SIC guides. After I saw the action of the rod, I ordered one for tuna popping.

3. I lost only one popper while fighting GT. That was a huge GT and took lines, but unfortunately 100 lbs braided line broke mysteriously on 24 lbs drag. I believe many GT got lost not because of break-offs from the structures, but because they try to tighten drag when GT takes line.

-rod action of Korean popping rod fighting a 70 lbs GT

 

[gman]

Like I said before, great trip, it makes it even better when the place you go is as beautiful as Fiji Oddly enough I would rather fish in the hot weather. The rod you used has great action, I personally like a rod that has action instead of a thick stick

 

[papio]

Ksong,

You rich? You seem to go on these fine trips at a moment notice. I wish you were my dad hehehe. Very nice Uluas, good workout. Them Wrasse are like them Uhu (parrot fish) great great eating.

 

[Mitchw123456]

ya know I was consdiering taking the kayak out for a short trip when I got off work this afternoon, but after reading this it just doesn't sound very appealing anymore! You sir, are definetly living "the life!"

 

[fathom]

Kil,

your pictures are warming up this overcast day here!

 

[jureal]

Welcome back Kil. Those are some awesome photos. Wish I could take some like those. My camera took a holiday in PV and quit working. Got a Nikon on order and hopefully I can start to take some nice shots too.

 

[gman]

Welcome back Kil. Those are some awesome photos. Wish I could take some like those. My camera took a holiday in PV and quit working. Got a Nikon on order and hopefully I can start to take some nice shots too.

Bringing the Canon digital rebel xt on our trip, I love that damn camera. Which Nikon are you getting

 

[MrBill]

John was a well known captain in Kona. His 145.5 lbs amberjack caught in 2002 is still Hawaii record.

Next time you talk or email John, tell him that Capt. Jeff Rogers finally got his first 100+ pound GT in Kona a few weeks ago. Well, one of his clients caught it. Hundred pounders are rare in Kona. About the same odds as catching a 1000 pound marlin. After 14 years he said he would kill any GT that would hit 100 pounds. After seeing the beast at the boat, he and the angler decided to take a pic and let him roam again. Nice gesture.

Back to this thread. Kil, you are a lucky man. The fishing God's are on your side. They let you fish way to much. I hope you thank them for letting you fish all these beautiful locations. I'm jealous but very happy for you. Keep up the quest. I might have to give you a trophy for spending so much time on the water.

 

[bigtom541]

That's you My old fishing Buddy How's things?
You look great
Tommy

 

[ksong]

That's you My old fishing Buddy How's things?
You look great
Tommy
How have you been, Capt. Tommy ?
I haven't fished Montauk for a while, though I had a few great fluke trips to Block Island from Rhode Island last year. Do you still have the same boat or get a bigger boat as you planned ?