Fishing methods used in Fiji
Heavy Tackle
Kadavu island sees black, blue and striped marlin however the predominent species targeted and caught all year round is the blue marlin.
Ranging in size from 150lbs to 1,000lbs they can be caught trolling lures, tuna skip-baits or livebaiting.
We run four bent butt 80 wide Penn Internationals when trolling lures but drop to two rods and teasers when trolling skipbaits, livebaiting small tuna or fishing bait & switch techniques.
Deep trenches run up either side of Kadavu island and the 1,000 fathom line is just 15 minutes cruise from the lodge. If the weather turns on us, we simply fish whichever trench is on the lee side of the island.
Alternatives are the 1,000 fathom line around Solo, a coral Attol that spikes up from 4,000ft to break the surface or the Kadavu seamount, an underwater mountain that rises from depths of 9,000ft to just 400ft.
Along with theblue marlin come yellowfin tuna to 150lbs, mahi mahi to 50lbs and wahoo to 100lbs as a common by-catch.
At some times of the year when the smaller blue marlin are prevelant (June - Dec) we use Penn International and custom made Eyre rod 50lb class stand-up gear.
January - March is when we target the monsters.
Bite Me has boated blues to 500lbs but fought and lost blues to 800lbs and possibly more.
We carry a sizeable range of 12"-18" marlin lures including Marlin Magic, Moldcraft, Joe Yee, Black Bart, Pakula, John Lau and Hollowpoint. Guests are however welcome to bring their own favourite and we will advise as to whether or not it is likely to be effective in our waters.
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Light Tackle
Light / Medium Tackle
We consider 8-10kg (16-20lb) line class to be light tackle around these waters and for general fishing 15kg (30lb) line class is mostly used.
Our 8-10kg outfits are Shimano TLD 20s on Excaliber custom rods and the 15kg gear is Penn International 30Ts on Shimano or Eyre Custom rods.
The 15kg gear can handle just about anything thrown at it including small marlin but light enough to provide excellent sport on the sailfish, wahoo, yellowfin, mahi mahi and a host of reef predators along the way.
For an extra kick, we encourage anglers to try the 8-10kg outfits and gain some appreciation of the fun to be had light tackle fishing for gamefish such as wahoo and Pacific ailfish.
We also carry 6kg outfits for those who really want to tempt fate or perhaps go after a record fish.
Deepwater Jigging
With 75 miles of outer barrier reef slopes, Kadavu Island offers a host of deepwater jigging opportunities for the jig and bottom fishing specialists.
Popper Casting
From sheltered still mangrove bays to Great Astrolabe barrier reef breakers, the opportunities to cast poppers are right on the resort's doorstep and stretch for as far as the eye can see.
Saltwater Fly Fishing
Deep mangrove bays, miles of fringing coral reefs, sandy flats in sheltered lagoons and 75 miles of Great Astrolabe barrier reef offer fly fishing anglers a range of habitats to hunt with the fly.
Ultra Light Tackle
Ultra Light Tackle & Record Hunting
Nothing compares to fighting a gamefish on ultra-light tackle. When you are hooked up on 4kg line class to a little 10kg yellowfin tunaand the fish laughes in your face and peels of 200 yards of line, then you realise what a challenge you are in for on these ultra-light line classes. Here on Kadavu, any gamefish hooked up is a potential IGFA World Record....
Bluewater Magazine
This issue is a dedicated GIANT BLUEFIN TUNA Special.
See mind-blowing action with tuna to way over 1000-pounds.
They are more than 10 feet long! It’s the hottest gamefishing news on the planet – and this issue has it all.
Discover the history, join the new action, and learn from the scientists. Do not miss this one!