We arrived at Matava after somewhat of a nightmare travel experience caused by Cyclone Mick. I wont bore you with the details but we lost a day in travel and the 2 game boats 'Bite Me' and brand new popping boat 'Tease Me' were both stuck in Suva and would not be arriving until the last day of our trip.
Once we arrived at the resort all our fears and concerns were promptly addressed by Richard one of the owners. Richard explained that due to the Cyclone situation we would not be able to fish the game boats but he could provide us with a long boat and driver whilst we wait for the other boats to arrive. (We ended up changing our flights for a couple of days later so we can experience the new popper boat and do the Sea Reef)
The Matava resort is an eco resort and the experience is one i will never forget. We had come for the fishing and the fishing alone. At first i didn't really want to meet knew people or feel like a traveller again, i just wanted to get stuck into the GT's. After all, that is all we had been thinking about for the last few months leading up to the trip. But, there is something about the Matava experience that draws you in!
We quickly got to know the other guests and owners. Everyone eats together each evening and the table makes for some interesting conversations and banter. The staff are generally made up of people from the local village and they are some of the most genuine, kind and peaceful people i've met. The food is a mix of local produce and of east and west influence. The balance is right and food is tasty!
The Great Astrolabe Reef is 5-10 minute trip from your bedroom door and that is where the GT's are! The reef is solid in structure with very few broken bits for a GT to break you off on. This allowed us to run short leaders and keep everything outside the guides. We lost one popper to an unstoppable, but other that that kept all our gear.
Adrian our skipper let us use some prototype poppers he has been asked to test, and the darker colored one's seem to work best. One of mine did get destroyed but that was after is had landed many GT's.
The fishing was great and by far exceeded our expectations. We felt like we had got the Jewel in the crown. The spot that no one else knows about! We know its not true of course and Matava is highly rated, but seriously how good is it!
We caught fish from ranging from 5kg's up to 40kg's. There are lots of big one's and a few monsters. I keep thinking about my unstoppable and wondering what that would of looked like. But hey there is always next year!
The other great thing about this trip was that i didn't have to adjust my home loan to pay for it. It goes down for me as one of the best experiences i've had and one that i will be looking to repeat. Same again please!
Going to post photos - just gotta shrink em first
matava Resort Kadavu Fiji 18th dec 23rd dec 2009
Dec 29, 2009
matava Resort Kadavu Fiji 18th dec 23rd dec 2009
Dec 24, 2009
'Tease Me' Goes Into Action
Our brand new inshore popper boat 'Tease Me' just had her first popper casting bash taking visiting anglers Sam Cheadle and Dave Olson out for a couple of popper casting sessions along Kadavu Island's Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef. Sam and Dave are new to heavy tackle poppering but came well prepared with Stellas, Dogfights and Shimano GT Specials.
A couple of sessons on Tease Me followed by a day on Bite Me and some nice GTs hit the deck (gently of course !)
Dave with a GT caught on a Buffalo PrototypeTease Me performed perfectly and proved to be an excellent platform for popper casting, despite the day being a little breezy.
Dave Christens 'Tease Me' with a beautyBest fish of the first day aboard 'Tease Me' was this excellent 46 Inch (short length) GT above for Dave that would have weighed in around 40kg had we not released.
Dave seems happy !
Dave with yet another GT - this one measuring 43" short lengthSam hooked up to a dinosaur on a black Buffalo prototype that probably would have gone 40+kg but despite upwards of 20kg of drag the fish peeled line off Sam's Dogfight and made it to the shallow breakers to bust us off.
Sam knocks off another GT - this one measuring 38" short length
New Inshore Popper Boat "Tease Me"
Tease MeWe have just taken delivery of our new inshore popping & jigging boat 'Tease Me' and despite the recent direct hit from Tropical Cyclone Mick, she now rests safely on her mooring at Matava Resort.
Full specs will be detailed soon on the gamefishing website but here are a couple of pics to wet your appetite.
Extended high side rails for added safety, coolboxes for chilled drinks and storage for safety equipment
Tease Me should be an ideal platform for anglers to work the inshore coral lagoons, outer barrier reef drop-offs and breakers popper casting for GTs, bluefin trevally, yellowfin tuna, Spanish Mackerel, jobfish and jigging for a whole host of species including dogtooth tuna, amberjack, giant grouper and deepwater snappers.
Dec 17, 2009
Matava fully operational after Cyclone MICK - Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort
By Tuesday 15th December we were once again fishing, diving and trekking as normal, in glorious sunshine albeit with a stiff breeze!
The cyclone passed quickly and was over in less than a day, however Kadavu island, like the main island, did experiences high winds. Kadavu's main Telecom Fiji tower in Vunisea sustained damage and at the moment, all communication (including mobile services) are down on Kadavu.
Unfortunately this means that we are currently unable to communicate directly with our reservations system at the resort. A communications issue such as this would normally be repaired quickly however with the other wind damage to many systems on the main island, it may be a few days before normal communications with the resort is re-established. Please bear with us.
Furthermore, Airports Fiji Ltd was also engaged in an upgrade to Kadavu Airport last week. Although no interruptions to services were expected, the works (now delayed by the cyclone) have now caused short term interruptions to flight services. All flights to and from Kadavu from Nadi International Airport and Suva Airport are currently suspended and we have been advised that the airport will re-open on the 18th December 2009.
We appreciate your patience in these matters, and rest assured that we are all fine and 100% fully operational at Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort.
May we take this opportunity to wish you and your family all the best for this festive season
Richard, Adrian, Jeanie, Stuart & The Team
Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort
Matava fully operational after Cyclone MICK - Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort
Nov 19, 2009
First day of the Kadavu GT Season
Well the windy winter season is almost over and soon ideal conditions will prevail for the popper casting and jigging fans. We just had our first look with the poppers along Kadavu Island's Great Astrolabe Barrier reef and the signs look good for some monster GTs this coming summer.
Tony with a nice GT pushing 40kgAlthough the weather was still a bit breezy our angler Tony managed some pretty good fish, the best of which would have weighed about 40kg has we not released. (we release all GTs)
Tony with a nice GT over 35kg on a prototype Buffalo popper
Plenty of fish around to 15-20kg rangeDeckie Joe also had a few casts with one of our Shimano GT Specials releasing his new personal best fish over 30kg on another prototype Buffalo popper.
We will be testing these new design poppers for the manufacturer over the coming months and so far they are performing excellently. More on that later...
Nov 3, 2009
Gamefishing Fiji: New GT Popping Boat for Matava in Kadavu Fiji
New GT Popping Boat for Matava in Kadavu Fiji
Originally uploaded by Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort.
Gamefishing Fiji: New GT Popping Boat for Matava in Kadavu Fiji
Oct 27, 2009
New GT Popping Boat for Matava in Kadavu Fiji. on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Matava Resort Kadavu Fiji Islands
www.matava.com
www.GamefishingFiji.com
www.GTPopping.blogspot.com
New GT Popping Boat for Matava in Kadavu Fiji. on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Oct 26, 2009
New GT Popping Boat for Matava in Kadavu Fiji on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Oct 21, 2009
Oct 18, 2009
Facebook | Bite Me Gamefishing Charters's Photos - September 2009 Fishing on Bite Me
www.GamefishingFiji.com
Facebook | Bite Me Gamefishing Charters's Photos - September 2009 Fishing on Bite Me
Oct 5, 2009
A unique experience - TripAdvisor
This place makes you forget about the rest of the world. The staff & management are so friendly, the views are amazing, but you have to put in mind that an enviornment friendly resort means its running on solar energy power, so dont expect ACs or fans, just clean pure air !
I'll be visiting Matava Resort again in the upcoming fishing season for sure.
A unique experience - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor
A unique experience - TripAdvisor
This place makes you forget about the rest of the world. The staff & management are so friendly, the views are amazing, but you have to put in mind that an enviornment friendly resort means its running on solar energy power, so dont expect ACs or fans, just clean pure air !
I'll be visiting Matava Resort again in the upcoming fishing season for sure.
A unique experience - Review of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, Kadavu Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor
Sep 22, 2009
Bite Me featured in Bluewater Magazine Issue 75
Special features include:
THE QUEST
Boat reviews: Formosa 580 Tomahawk Centre Cab; Boston Whaler 280 Outrage and 285 Conquest
Bite Me Gamefishing Charters
Sep 6, 2009
Matava is Fiji's first Resort member of The International Ecotourism Society - Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort
As the world's oldest and largest international ecotourism association, TIES seeks to be the global source of knowledge and advocacy uniting communities, conservation, and sustainable travel.
A common question asked is what EXACTLY is ecotourism? Ecotourism is: "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990)
TIES promotes ecotourism, which is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people," by:
- Creating an international network of individuals, institutions and the tourism industry;
- Educating tourists and tourism professionals; and
- Influencing the tourism industry, public institutions and donors to integrate the principles of ecotourism into their operations and policies.
"Uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel, TIES promotes responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."Principles of Ecotourism:
Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:
- Minimize impact.
- Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
- Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
- Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
- Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.
"We also see this as a great step forward and opportunity for all Fiji resorts, both on Kadavu and in the Fiji Islands, to move forward in their standards to achieve truly world class service and capabilities required for this membership level and to do it in the true spirit of ecotourism."
Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Matava - Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI Dive Resort as well as a Project AWARE GoEco Operator. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views.
Aug 8, 2009
GT+Shane+Heartstone.jpg (image)
August and September we will continue with the light tackle fun on the big wahoo & sails and on a nice calm day, throw some poppers at the reef for GTs up to 100lbs.
Shane Heartstone with a good Kadavu Island GT
GT+Shane+Heartstone.jpg (image)
Aug 4, 2009
GT Weight Formulas
Wonder just how big your GT is ?There is a great deal of debate out there about calculating the weights of GTs prior to release. We recently had Shane Heartstone from New Zealand aboard Bite Me who was kind enough to bring us a specially designed fish weighing bag. Originally designed for weighing Yellowtail Kingfish, we tried it out on the GTs here and it works extremely well.
A deckwash keeps the GT healthyWe plan on measuring Lower Jaw - Fork Lengths as well as quickly weighing the fish before release. It will be interesting to see how the various different formulas work for Kadavu Island GTs.
Jul 28, 2009
Shark Free Marinas: Reducing worldwide shark mortality.
Matava would like to invite you to be a Shark-Free Marina and Fishing Boat
Kadavu, Fiji Islands – June 25, 2009 – The international Shark-Free Marina Initiative works with marinas, boaters and fishermen to develop policy designed to protect a vital component of the oceans health, our sharks.
The majority of shark species caught by recreational and sport anglers are currently listed by the IUCN as ‘Threatened’ (or worse) and each year an average of a ½ Million of these sharks are killed in the United States alone.
By encouraging non-lethal ‘catch-and-release’ shark fishing your patrons and clients can enjoy their sport while ensuring that shark populations are not further diminished. By promoting sustainable practices of ocean management we hope that sharks will be around to keep our oceans healthy for generations to come.
Currently we are working in Fiji at certifying all marinas and charter fishing boats as ‘Shark-Free Marinas’. Matava and Bite Me Gamefishing Charters was the first in Fiji to sign up and has agreed to promote, coordinate and distribute information about the Initiative. We hope that Fiji can be the first country to be proud to announce itself as a ‘Shark-Free Marinas’ Country!
Even if your facility is not frequented by shark fishermen, becoming a Shark-Free Marina is a valuable promotional tool for your business.
You will receive a listing on the Shark-Free Marina website as well as the right to use the SFMI logo and signs for your own publicity. We are currently working on importing the stickers, posters and metal dock signs into Fiji for distribution to registered businesses, charter boats and marinas.
The SFMI website also has an education centre that we hope your clients will find useful, it includes tips on how to catch and release shark, a list of Endangered and Threatened species plus information on how they can help protect the ocean.
Neither Matava or SFMI is asking for your money, just your participation in saving the many valuable species of sharks in our local Fiji waters.
Please take the time to visit the SFMI website to find out more about how you can contribute to the future survival of our sharks while ensuring your business continues to thrive.
If I can be of any further assistance or help, just drop me a line.
Sincerely,
Stuart Gow
Fiji Regional Associate
Shark-Free Marina Initiative
Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort
Bite Me Gamefishing Charters
Simple Registration
This is a simple and free process that ensures your patrons and customers know your business cares about the worldwide problem of shark over-fishing and that your marina or charter fishing boat will not contribute to the problem.
To register simply:
Register online at www.sharkfreemarinas.com
Display a ‘Shark-Free Marina’ sign on the marina premises or on the charter boat.
About Shark-Free Marina Initiative
The Shark-Free Marina Initiative has a singular purpose, to reduce worldwide shark mortality. We encourage shark conservation at sport fishing and resort marinas by prohibiting the landing of any shark at the participating marina. The SFMI works with marinas, fishermen and like minded non-profit groups to form community conscious policy and increase awareness of the need to protect our sharks, our ocean and our legacy.
About Matava – Fiji’s Premier Eco Adventure Resort
Matava is the genuine eco-adventure lodge, beautifully set off the beaten track, minutes from the Great Astrolabe Reef on Kadavu Island. Our intimate resort has beautiful, comfortable bures, outstanding cuisine and offers a full range of adventure and cultural activities. Dive or take a course with our PADI dive professionals. Experience fantastic fish, pristine corals, Mantas and sharks. Try big game fishing, snorkeling, sailing, sea kayaking, trekking, and join in authentic cultural and village events! No roads, solar power, low carbon footprint make Matava the ideal and environmentally responsible location to relax and unwind.
About Bite Me Gamefishing Charters
Superb blue water game fishing for wahoo, sailfish and marlin with Bite Me Gamefishing Charters awaits you at Matava in Kadavu, Fiji Islands.As an active member of IGFA and The Billfish Association we also advocate tag and release of all billfish not deemed to be a National or World Record
JDM Tackle
USAs top GT Popping & Jigging tackle specialists
