Charter Operator : Matava Resort Gamefishing
Boat Names : Bite Me (Offshore) and Offensive Tackle (Inshore)
Average Water Temp : 28.5
Average Sea State : 50% light breeze / 50% wind chop 2ft ground swell to 4ft
Average Winds : 50% 10 - 15kts
Water Clarity : Variable inshore after tropical rain, good offshore
The Fiji water temp is now starting to ease back from its summer peak of 30 degrees and the relatively quiet month of April actually turned out to be quite good, especially for the popper casting fanatics hunting the big GTs and Bluefin trevally when the bite just went berserk a week either side of the full moon.
Game boats reported a generally mixed bag in April and early May with mahi mahi, yellowfin and recently, wahoo being the main species caught. Boats should start to pick up black marlin from mid May and the blue marlin will really fire up again by the start of June when the water temp hits 27.
Sails are being tagged on most day trips but the big packs should form from June onwards.
The hot news however is that an unusual event occured recently. There was a huge run of whale sharks accompanied by good sized yellowfin tuna through the Kadavu passage, the stretch of water that seperates Fiji's main island of Viti Levu and Kadavu island, 50nm to the South.
The last time this occured was prior to the start of the 2005 winter wahoo and sailfish season. That season was one of the best on record with large wahoo packs everywhere. The wahoo averaged 50lbs with fish to 80lbs being common and many fish over 100lb landed. The sailfish packs were also in plague numbers along Kadavu Island's Great Astrolabe barrier reef with the pack average being about 6 fish ranging from 60lbs to 120lbs.
The wahoo are here already, unusually early in the season but with packs found recently on the Kadavu seamount and off Beqa's 'Golden Mile'and every boat in the recent Suva Game Fishing Club 2 day Tournament coming home each day with wahoo , it is clear that the oceanic currents this year are bringing in the start of what should be a spectaculor 2008 season.
Aboard 'Bite Me' we will be focusing on fishing the light tackle from 12lb to 20lb line class for the wahoo and sailfish as well as some specialised ultra-light tackle fishing on the 8lb (4kg) custom gear. Looks like my bait catching guy is going to be busy.
Summary:
Blue marlin : Quiet but will fire up again end of May
Black marlin - First few tagged recently
Yellowfin - The first few fish of the winter run starting to show, mostly aroud 30-60lbs
Sailfish : First few of the season starting to turn up but not in packs yet
Wahoo : Here early and the big backs will form soon
Mahi Mahi : Bit thin on the ground with just the occasional pair here and there
Mackerel : Good sized fish around hitting skip-baits
GTs : Crazy bite around the full moons
Cpt Adrian Watt
Director, Matava Resort Gamefishing,
Tel: + (679) 3337 222 or 3336 098
www.matava.com
"Bite Me" Matava Resort Kadavu Fiji Islands www.matava.com
++++++
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Ninth annual IGFA Offshore World Championship attracts 63 teams
27 countries from six continents in Cabo for prestigious catch-and-release tournament
CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico --- Sixty-three boats with teams of anglers are set to blast away from the mouth of the Cabo San Lucas harbor early Monday morning signifying the start of the four-day IGFA Offshore World Championship, throughout the week of May 11 – 16.
“We have representation of teams from 27 countries on six continents,” said tournament director Mike Myatt as he and Alberto Trevino the Secretaria de Turismo de Baja California Sur, welcomed the international anglers to the premier fishing location. Considered the most prestigious catch-and-release billfishing tournament in the world, the event also draws the single largest contingent of international teams ever to compete in a fishing competition.
Countries and territories represented include teams from Angola, Australia, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Grenada, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Spain, Sultanate of Oman, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos, the United States, Vanuatu and Venezuela. Many of the teams in the ninth annual tournament will be represented by anglers from a number of additional countries.
The U.S. has 14 teams signed on. Both Mexico and Brazil are represented by five teams each; Italy and Angola each have four.
The teams previously qualified by winning one of 130 IGFA sanctioned tournaments held in 38 countries worldwide during 2007. It’s the seventh straight year Cabo San Lucas has been chosen as the championship location.
They’ll fish for marlin, sailfish and other billfish species with the top team winning engraved watches along with trophies and merchandise. Awards are presented through to the third place finishing team. The final results will be made on Friday at noon PDT.
At the IGFA OWC last year, a team representing its win in Spain’s Marina Rubicon Marlin Cup 2006 tournament leaped from the middle of the 62 boat field to a dramatic win by one release fish over a team from Cabo San Lucas. It was the second straight year that a team, on the final day of the four day competition, had an amazing 10 releases of striped marlin to win the championship. Using circle hooks, a total of 335 marlin were caught and safely released alongside the teams’ boats.
At a kickoff party Sunday at the Hotel Finisterra, each team participated in a drawing for their four different boats --- ones they hope will guide them daily to multiple bill fish releases. All of the boats are captained by local Cabo guides.
Partners and sponsors for the IGFA Offshore World Championship are Secretaria de Turismo de Baja California Sur, Costa Del Mar, Hotel Finisterra, Guy Harvey Inc., Shimano, Picante Sport Fishing and Yacht Sales, Cabo Yachts, K D & G Sea Life Masterpieces, Hook & Tackle, Momoi Hi-Catch, Murray Products, AFTCO BlueWater, Bodo Muche, Minerva’s Baja Tackle, Señor Greenberg’s, IWS Scales, King Sailfish Mounts, Pompanette, Pisces Sportfishing, Corona and Modelo S.A DE C.V. Mexico, Don Tyson, Trans Cabo, Eagle Claw, MoldCraft Products, Inc. and API Dock.
Each morning the daily results along with photos of the previous day’s round will be posted on the IGFA’s home page at www.igfa.org . A list of registered teams can also be found on the web site under the fishing tab on the home page by clicking “tournaments.”
Next year, to begin the event’s 10th anniversary, the tournament welcomes the Bonnier Marine Group which will join the IGFA to manage the world championship which began in 2000.
Founded in 1939 the IGFA is a not-for-profit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices through science, education, rule making and record keeping. IGFA members are located in over 125 countries and territories. The IGFA welcomes visitors to its 60,000-square-foot interactive Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in Dania Beach, Florida.
###
CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico --- Sixty-three boats with teams of anglers are set to blast away from the mouth of the Cabo San Lucas harbor early Monday morning signifying the start of the four-day IGFA Offshore World Championship, throughout the week of May 11 – 16.
“We have representation of teams from 27 countries on six continents,” said tournament director Mike Myatt as he and Alberto Trevino the Secretaria de Turismo de Baja California Sur, welcomed the international anglers to the premier fishing location. Considered the most prestigious catch-and-release billfishing tournament in the world, the event also draws the single largest contingent of international teams ever to compete in a fishing competition.
Countries and territories represented include teams from Angola, Australia, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Grenada, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Spain, Sultanate of Oman, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos, the United States, Vanuatu and Venezuela. Many of the teams in the ninth annual tournament will be represented by anglers from a number of additional countries.
The U.S. has 14 teams signed on. Both Mexico and Brazil are represented by five teams each; Italy and Angola each have four.
The teams previously qualified by winning one of 130 IGFA sanctioned tournaments held in 38 countries worldwide during 2007. It’s the seventh straight year Cabo San Lucas has been chosen as the championship location.
They’ll fish for marlin, sailfish and other billfish species with the top team winning engraved watches along with trophies and merchandise. Awards are presented through to the third place finishing team. The final results will be made on Friday at noon PDT.
At the IGFA OWC last year, a team representing its win in Spain’s Marina Rubicon Marlin Cup 2006 tournament leaped from the middle of the 62 boat field to a dramatic win by one release fish over a team from Cabo San Lucas. It was the second straight year that a team, on the final day of the four day competition, had an amazing 10 releases of striped marlin to win the championship. Using circle hooks, a total of 335 marlin were caught and safely released alongside the teams’ boats.
At a kickoff party Sunday at the Hotel Finisterra, each team participated in a drawing for their four different boats --- ones they hope will guide them daily to multiple bill fish releases. All of the boats are captained by local Cabo guides.
Partners and sponsors for the IGFA Offshore World Championship are Secretaria de Turismo de Baja California Sur, Costa Del Mar, Hotel Finisterra, Guy Harvey Inc., Shimano, Picante Sport Fishing and Yacht Sales, Cabo Yachts, K D & G Sea Life Masterpieces, Hook & Tackle, Momoi Hi-Catch, Murray Products, AFTCO BlueWater, Bodo Muche, Minerva’s Baja Tackle, Señor Greenberg’s, IWS Scales, King Sailfish Mounts, Pompanette, Pisces Sportfishing, Corona and Modelo S.A DE C.V. Mexico, Don Tyson, Trans Cabo, Eagle Claw, MoldCraft Products, Inc. and API Dock.
Each morning the daily results along with photos of the previous day’s round will be posted on the IGFA’s home page at www.igfa.org . A list of registered teams can also be found on the web site under the fishing tab on the home page by clicking “tournaments.”
Next year, to begin the event’s 10th anniversary, the tournament welcomes the Bonnier Marine Group which will join the IGFA to manage the world championship which began in 2000.
Founded in 1939 the IGFA is a not-for-profit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices through science, education, rule making and record keeping. IGFA members are located in over 125 countries and territories. The IGFA welcomes visitors to its 60,000-square-foot interactive Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in Dania Beach, Florida.
###
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Fishing Report - Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures - April 2008
April proved another great month for us in Guatemala. The sailfish were biting with great consistency, keeping rods bent and anglers enjoying. 'Decisive' released 340 sailfish and 2 blues over 27 days on the water and has now released well over 2100 billfish since November 1st of 2007 to highlight just what another great season is proving to be.
Bob Edmonds started things off for us on April 1st releasing 14 sailfish from 24 bites after his 24 releases the day before. Things slowed a little the next day with 4 releases but Bob still totaled 42 fish as the single angler in his 3 days and left a happy man.
Kendrick Mattox and friends, Callum Parrott, George Macon, Moultrie Dotterer, Cooper Fowler and Patrick Holder joined us at the Billfish Inn for 4 days of fishing. The group fished aboard the 'Decisive' and the 'Release' throwing the fly and bait at fish over three fairly slow days to start with, although marlin were seen in the spread and sails were released. Their 4th day was the real turning point when a really hot bite was found and things went crazy for the deserving anglers. Aboard the 'Decisive' the boys went 12 from 22 on the spinning and conventional tackle, while also releasing 6 on the fly rods for a smorgasbord of action. The 'Release' was also in on the same action ensuring we saw the group off in fine style.
Our friends John and Heather Harvey made the long trip from South Africa to join us again and started off in fine fashion with Heather releasing her first Pacific blue marlin, making short work of a 300lber on the 50lb standup gear, from a fish we raised on the bridge teaser. Nice going Heather, and another 16 sailfish releases made for a great day shared with the fun loving couple. The next two days saw things slow a little with us releasing 5 and then 4 fish.
Our regular friends Brad Watkins, John Wendkos and Joey Zimmer brought down the 4, 6 and 8lb tackle to persuade the sailfish and marlin with over the next three days. The 11th saw a great bite with the guys going 25 from 36 with over 15 of those fish being released on 4 or 6lb test. The following day saw their averages go up even higher, releasing 25 from 34 bites with another 17 of those releases on 4 or 6lb. A real testament to the quality of angling and team work we had going on. The 19th saw the trio releasing 19 from 35, while the Harvey's released 27 from 45 aboard the 'Intensity' which we had chartered for them for the day.
The weather got a little snotty on us for the next 2 days, which is really unusual for here so we took a break from the fishing but the Harvey's were welcomed back to it on the 16th with the fish still biting and releasing 22 from 35 bites with Heather having the honor of releasing our 2000th billfish for the 2007/2008 season aboard the 'Decisive'. With 17 from 27 bites the following day, the couple ended a most memorable billfishing adventure.
The fishing stayed really steady over the next 5 days, with our NY clients going 23 from 28, 17 from 24, 27 from 44, 25 from 33 and 8 from 13 on a shortened final day, to release well over 100 fish for their trip.
Rees and Sarah Poag joined us the 23rd through 25th with Rees chasing the sails on the fly while Sarah enjoyed the relaxingly private atmosphere of our Billfish Inn. Rees went 4 from 10 the first day on some finicky fish, and 3 from 9 on the fly and 2 on spin the next day. Day three proved the charm with the enthralled angler going 9 from 17 on the sails with a very large marlin in the spread which would not tease or eat the mackerel pitch-bait.
Chester Stokes our old friend from Jacksonville, Fl brought down his fishing team of Tommy Smith, James Moore and Jason Hadjis to try out some Guatemalan action. The boys released 16 from 23 their first day, 11 from 22 the next and finished it off with 6 from 17 the final day. The guys sure had a great time and we look forward to seeing them all down here on a more regular basis.
Our Billfish Inn neighbor and 'marlin charmer', Scott Lund brought with him Scott Armand, Dave Lockey and his usual marlin luck. After a steady morning going 14 from 26 on the sails the blue marlin started biting and in the next 2 hours we pulled the hook on a 400lb blue, released a 350 blue on 50 standup, had another 350 go ballistic on us doing a huge dive and then turn on the surface to break the 20lb line he was hooked on, and had another crash the teaser but not eat to make for some really exciting action. The current moved in some greener water the next day and getting on the same billfishing action as the previous day before proved tuff but with a horde of 20-50lb dorado in the area the Florida boys were kept busy pulling to their hearts contents.
From all this angling action, one can see that you just can't beat the amazing billfishing trips Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures has to offer. We still have May to fish and then we will repower the 'Decisive' with new faster engines and be back at it in early October again. Our bookings for next season are filling really fast, and it looks like we will have a second boat to accommodate our bulging demand. So start planning your next angling adventure and drop us an email or check out the website, it'd be great to see you here.
Until next report, tight lines, circle hooks and healthy releases.
Capt. Brad Philipps
"Decisive"
Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures
E-mail: cindy@guatbilladv.com
Website: www.guatbilladv.com
Telephone/Fax No.: +(502) 7880-4152
Mobile: +(502) 5708-7423
USA Phone No.: (512) 535-1751
Mailing Address:
10 Calle 0-82 Zona 9, Suite 24
Ciudad de Guatemala
Guatemala, Centro America
Bob Edmonds started things off for us on April 1st releasing 14 sailfish from 24 bites after his 24 releases the day before. Things slowed a little the next day with 4 releases but Bob still totaled 42 fish as the single angler in his 3 days and left a happy man.
Kendrick Mattox and friends, Callum Parrott, George Macon, Moultrie Dotterer, Cooper Fowler and Patrick Holder joined us at the Billfish Inn for 4 days of fishing. The group fished aboard the 'Decisive' and the 'Release' throwing the fly and bait at fish over three fairly slow days to start with, although marlin were seen in the spread and sails were released. Their 4th day was the real turning point when a really hot bite was found and things went crazy for the deserving anglers. Aboard the 'Decisive' the boys went 12 from 22 on the spinning and conventional tackle, while also releasing 6 on the fly rods for a smorgasbord of action. The 'Release' was also in on the same action ensuring we saw the group off in fine style.
Our friends John and Heather Harvey made the long trip from South Africa to join us again and started off in fine fashion with Heather releasing her first Pacific blue marlin, making short work of a 300lber on the 50lb standup gear, from a fish we raised on the bridge teaser. Nice going Heather, and another 16 sailfish releases made for a great day shared with the fun loving couple. The next two days saw things slow a little with us releasing 5 and then 4 fish.
Our regular friends Brad Watkins, John Wendkos and Joey Zimmer brought down the 4, 6 and 8lb tackle to persuade the sailfish and marlin with over the next three days. The 11th saw a great bite with the guys going 25 from 36 with over 15 of those fish being released on 4 or 6lb test. The following day saw their averages go up even higher, releasing 25 from 34 bites with another 17 of those releases on 4 or 6lb. A real testament to the quality of angling and team work we had going on. The 19th saw the trio releasing 19 from 35, while the Harvey's released 27 from 45 aboard the 'Intensity' which we had chartered for them for the day.
The weather got a little snotty on us for the next 2 days, which is really unusual for here so we took a break from the fishing but the Harvey's were welcomed back to it on the 16th with the fish still biting and releasing 22 from 35 bites with Heather having the honor of releasing our 2000th billfish for the 2007/2008 season aboard the 'Decisive'. With 17 from 27 bites the following day, the couple ended a most memorable billfishing adventure.
The fishing stayed really steady over the next 5 days, with our NY clients going 23 from 28, 17 from 24, 27 from 44, 25 from 33 and 8 from 13 on a shortened final day, to release well over 100 fish for their trip.
Rees and Sarah Poag joined us the 23rd through 25th with Rees chasing the sails on the fly while Sarah enjoyed the relaxingly private atmosphere of our Billfish Inn. Rees went 4 from 10 the first day on some finicky fish, and 3 from 9 on the fly and 2 on spin the next day. Day three proved the charm with the enthralled angler going 9 from 17 on the sails with a very large marlin in the spread which would not tease or eat the mackerel pitch-bait.
Chester Stokes our old friend from Jacksonville, Fl brought down his fishing team of Tommy Smith, James Moore and Jason Hadjis to try out some Guatemalan action. The boys released 16 from 23 their first day, 11 from 22 the next and finished it off with 6 from 17 the final day. The guys sure had a great time and we look forward to seeing them all down here on a more regular basis.
Our Billfish Inn neighbor and 'marlin charmer', Scott Lund brought with him Scott Armand, Dave Lockey and his usual marlin luck. After a steady morning going 14 from 26 on the sails the blue marlin started biting and in the next 2 hours we pulled the hook on a 400lb blue, released a 350 blue on 50 standup, had another 350 go ballistic on us doing a huge dive and then turn on the surface to break the 20lb line he was hooked on, and had another crash the teaser but not eat to make for some really exciting action. The current moved in some greener water the next day and getting on the same billfishing action as the previous day before proved tuff but with a horde of 20-50lb dorado in the area the Florida boys were kept busy pulling to their hearts contents.
From all this angling action, one can see that you just can't beat the amazing billfishing trips Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures has to offer. We still have May to fish and then we will repower the 'Decisive' with new faster engines and be back at it in early October again. Our bookings for next season are filling really fast, and it looks like we will have a second boat to accommodate our bulging demand. So start planning your next angling adventure and drop us an email or check out the website, it'd be great to see you here.
Until next report, tight lines, circle hooks and healthy releases.
Capt. Brad Philipps
"Decisive"
Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures
E-mail: cindy@guatbilladv.com
Website: www.guatbilladv.com
Telephone/Fax No.: +(502) 7880-4152
Mobile: +(502) 5708-7423
USA Phone No.: (512) 535-1751
Mailing Address:
10 Calle 0-82 Zona 9, Suite 24
Ciudad de Guatemala
Guatemala, Centro America
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