So you think you want to fish in Fiji? First things first… Read the Disclaimer before continuing, as life altering behaviour could ensue…
by Donovan “The Donno” Casey, seen here holding his first Catch & Release GT
When planning a (covert?) fishing trip to Fiji you might want to distract your non fishing partner with the notion of a romantic hand-holding togetherness holiday on the sunset drenched beaches and shimmering turquoise waters, whilst your real aim once you get here is to either load her up with cocktails complete with cherries and little umbrellas and dump her, or if you really are in danger of your deception being discovered, bring her along on the boat, and tell her that this is the only way of seeing the ‘real’ Fiji.
Since the boat cost is not insubstantial, you may as well bring along your fishing gear, to make the most of the occasion, so to speak.
If you are really blessed, and it happens to be your partner’s Birthday, Anniversary… (any old occasion really?), maybe you can then buy her that awesome new Shimano Stella STL-18000 SW Reel
Angler’s Paradise, Vatia Point, Tavua
Even if she does eventually come on the boat, you know she will be bored in a few minutes, and then YOU can revel in its use – offering to generously “break” it in for her.
Now, before you leave home, you absolutely must have a pirate name, one which encapsulates your inner, hitherto frustrated, real adventurer pirate soon to be revealed true self.
This pirate alter ego now reflects that you have discarded your undies, your nasty sock wearing with sandal’s habit, and are ready for the Fijian pirate infested waters, equipped to deal with the local master fishermen (and women) and the ex-pat wanna be pirates.
Brendan Yee with his Rusty Jobfish
On arrival, breathe in deeply, feel your shirt immediately dampen (and wait for that first perspiration drop to run down your lower (lower) back knowing it is the first of many such incursions), and then make all haste to find your soon to be best mate – your new knowledgeable local fishing guide (and guaranteed drinking buddy).
Your new best mate could be found behind the bar, (or under it as has been known to occur), at the local marina, fishing charter company, club or fishing tackle shop.
Mike King from Alabama with a Rusty Jobfish caught bottom bouncing with bair off Raki Raki.
Many charters are available in Fiji – from the relatively inexpensive Fijian long boat (not recommended for those prone to piles and other ailments induced by rough wooden seats and scorching sun on pasty white skin), to professional operations that can introduce you to the joys of speed jigging, lazy trolling, bottom bouncing with bait, and casting/popping for the fearsome GT’s and other reef species.
Some charters provide everything, the gear already set up, and when the fish is “on”, the rod is handed to you – great for the lazy buggers trying to keep a little in the tank for when they get back to shore, and have to “make nice” to the Missus for ditching her all day.
Rosie Wakeham and her C&R Giant Trevally
But, the true pirate takes ownership of the fishing experience by plotting and scheming where to go, what gear and what strategy to use, to ultimately make it more fulfilling.
Fiji has so much diversity in it’s fishing and beautiful clean water, that you can be confident that “you are where you are meant to be”.
If you have been outmatched by the fish on a particular day and caught “nada”, then the serene and pristine beauty, replete with common sightings of turtles, dolphins and whales is enough to fill the soul!
Susan Hull and JJ Burito from the US jigging off the Waidroka Pontoon.
Drop in to the one of the local marinas, fishing clubs or tackle shops to chat with the area’s pirate’s captain and find out the skinny on whether the seasonal fish such as Tuna and Wahoo are running, where the packs are, what is the style of fishing yielding the best results, and to gain a good overview of the various charter offerings.
Primed with a few fishing tackle and equipment purchases and a convivial personable pirate like approach, you may be rewarded with an invitation by the pirate’s captain himself to a grog (Kava) session, (where any vestige of your former city slicker self will be purged under the out of control mayhem of pirate fishing bantertall tales of whimsy, farcical mess ups and tales of woe of the fish that discovered your weakness in gear and spirit, gave you the “finger” and swished away).
The one that got away…
If you are particularly personable, or just have wads of moolah to compensate for your nerdy but earnest quest for pirate freedom, an invitation to one of several Fishing Club meetings may be all you need to push you over the line (that line where you keep your thoughts to yourself when your boss in the real world requires you to compensate for his inadequacies, that line where you ponder whether you might consider introducing the concept of a long distance relationship with your partner as you decide to stay in Fiji, you know, that line…)
No matter how experienced you think you may be, this is the ideal place to learn a few new skills. So remember, as we say here in Fiji: “fishing is a way of life”, “seize the day”, get on out there and embrace your inner pirate!
DISCLAIMER: This pirate will not be held responsible or bear any liability whatsoever for any disproportionate joyous experiences, bucket list achievements, holistic self improvements, hedonistic self centred indulgences, living in the moment, embracing a hidden adventurer spirit, any inability to settle back into the real world with consequent psychological evaluation and treatment to purge other pirate like behaviour or symptoms that your partner or boss may take exception to!
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