FAD for Bite Me Gamefishing Charters

Our guide Alex was out yesterday installing a FAD and tossed a popper for a few minutes on the way home. This GT went close to 30kg. I am told he is still smiling today....

Weather Situation at Matava, March 2012

A message to all friends and families of the Paradise Dive Group and other guests staying with us.

All of our guests are safe and well.

Many of our guests are attempting to contact their loved ones at home.

You may contact any of our guests via email at info@matava.com if you wish to call you may call on +679-603-0685.

We will continue to put up posts as information comes to hand.

The guests staying at the resort may be here for a couple of more days, depending on when flights can depart Nadi and land in Kadavu.

See also our Twitter feed and Facebook page for instant info.

Weather Situation at Matava, March 2012 | Matava - Fijis Premier Eco Adventure Resort:

Feb 2012 GT Popping & Jigging Update

 GT Popping

So far this summer the bite has been reasonably good on the calm summer days but relatively quiet on choppy days. With all the January flooding on the main island there is a lot of debris in the water and the GTs are not consistently hunting in the barrier reef breakers. On some days we have been catching more GTs on jigs than on poppers....

 

   

 

 

Matt from Exmouth Tackle World caught this cracker of a Yellowfin Tuna using his a Daiwa Saltiga and custom popping rod. The fish ate an assist hook rigged stickbait over the Kadavu Seamount.

Depwater Jigging

We are getting the usualy range of species jigging the barrier reef drop-offs. Plenty of Dogtooth Tuna but so far this season, no real monsters to brag about !

 

  

 A MONSTER Coral Trout for Aaron from Australia

 Jigged up Grouper for Paul

 

 Sometimes the GTs go deep and we get quite a few whist jigging for other species

 Big Rosy Jobfish on the Ono Drop-off

 as well as the usual Long Nose Emperors

BlueWater Magazine on sale Feb 29th 2012

BlueWater Magazine, new issue out on sale Feb 29th 2012

FISHING FEATURES CAIRNS DELIVERS A CRACKER SEASON
During the final months of 2011, this famous fishery for the world’s largest black marlin lived up to its reputation, delivering one of the best runs of huge fish in years. Kelly Fallon spent the season among the action. Her report and spectacular photos whet your appetite for the season ahead.

BOB & DOLLY DYER – AUSTRALIA’S KING AND QUEEN OF GAMEFISHING – PART 2
In this final installment of the incredible tale of the Dyers, gamefishing historian John McIntyre describes their adventures with marlin, particularly their part in the discovery of the Cairns giant black marlin grounds. Their extraordinary achievements were matched only by their ability to promote them.

PORT STEPHENS INSHORE BONANZA
This gamefishing hotspot has recently been boiling with marlin. Discover how to beat the crowds to find your own billfish nirvana.

GAME CHANGER – AFTCO RDT
This remarkable product is set to revolutionise gamefishing by providing accurate readings of the drag tension on your line.

PREY SPECIES – SLIMY MACKEREL
This mighty baitfish is, in essence, a miniature tuna. They are also a vital food source for predatory species – and exceptional livebait.

FIN-NOR MARQUESA REELS
Fin-Nor’s new 2-Speed castable lever drag reels have been designed for performance fishing with even heavy braided lines.

LURE LORE – PART 8
Sneaky leaders for wary tuna Tuna are smarter than the average gamefish and demand special techniques to ensure success. Classic Tomes Tales of Tahitian Waters Zane Grey’s classic describes his three expeditions to these virginal waters during the 1920s.

CREATURES OF THE DEEP
Phyllosoma larvae Guess which tasty treat these truly bizarre-looking creatures eventually metamorphose into!

SMOKE AND MIRRORS
Black Bart ‘San Sal Candy’ lure This versatile lure has low water drag for use with light tackle and also handles speeds to over 20kts.

BOAT FEATURES


WHEN A BOAT BARGAIN ISN’T
A must-read article before you consider buying your next boat. Since the Global Financial Crisis and the meltdown of the US boat market there has been much talk about the bargains to be had by importing from overseas. The reality for many has been a minefield of heartache. Find out why...

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MARINE GENERATORS
Essential information to save you money and help you select the best generator for your boat.

THE SMOOTH TOUGHIE
Vindicator 720 This tough, surprisingly quiet plate-aluminium fishing boat has been crafted with loving care in Gympie.

BlueWater Magazine

Gamefishing Fiji: BlueWater Magazine on sale Feb 29th 2012:

'via Blog this'

GT Popping & Jigging -January 2012 Fishing Report

The 2012 Summer season of GT Popping started with a bit of a damp fizzle. Whether it was the excssive rainfall and freshwater run-off from the island or the often sizable swells and breezy days, the GTs were not especially helpful. Some days we would get a few, some days they would follow lures but not bite, some days they were just invisible. In 8 days of popping and jigging we managed to scrape together about 35 GTs of various sizes, the biggest of which was around 30kg (sorry, didn't get a pic of that one)

Angler Grant from South Africa with an unusual Black coloured GT

Sebile Stickshad in blue chrome

One thing was very clear though, right now the GTs are definitely much more interested in stickbaits than poppers. We did get some action on the Buffalo poppers but the stickbaits were outfishing all the poppers 5 to 1.
Top of the stickbait list - The Sebile stickshad. These lures in various sizes were just dynamite. Also worth a mention were the ASWB Reefs Edge floating Mamool stickbaits, Adhek Goby and Penipen (from Bali), the Bobara and dogtooth (Nomad or Heru) and working wery well, the Jai which our recent anglers sourced fom Elite Tackle. (I only mention that as I have heard nothing but good things about this store.)

Steve from Australia releases another nice GT

Brett from South Africa with a popper caught Mackerel

We caught a number of big Longnose Emperors

The ever present Red Bass

Conditions were often a bit um..challenging....
Our new guide Alex doing a great job...

The Yellowfin are here !!! (and a lot of fun on stickbaits !)

On the jigs we have been catching a nice range of species. No monsters yet but good variety.

Rosy Jobfish

Dogtooth Tuna

Almaco Jacks

Um.....Dunno....Snapper family ? Help me out here.....

BlueWater Magazine on Sale Today, 6th Jan 2012

A BlueWater world scoop! 


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!



Content included in issue 89 of BlueWater magazine


FISHING FEATURES

Techniques for multiple marlin
Why hook just one marlin when you could hook several at the same time? Once you’ve located the bait school there’s a good chance that there will be more than one marlin stalking them. With a little planning and the right strategy, you can capitalise on being in the right spot before they disappear.






what you need to know about polarised eyewear
Investment advice for that most essential of gamefishing equipment – your eyes.


Understanding south pacific cyclones 

Knowing how cyclones form, and how they track across the ocean will help you to stay out of danger.


big fish –small boats
Sounders and sounder set-up
This guide will help you set up your sounder and transducer to see better images on screen.


make your own wind-on leaders
They are a fundamental piece of tackle and with this step-by-step guide you can be skilled at making your own reliable wind-on leaders.


creatures of the deep
Ray’s Bream
They are plentiful, they’re great to eat, and they are out there! 
Dr Julian Pepperell explains all.

prey species – squid story
What has three hearts and blueish blood? Dr Pepperell reveals the alien-like biology and fascinating life story of these vital prey species.


small boat crew tactics
Your chances for success are greatly magnified when the team works together as a coordinated unit. Here’s how to make it happen.


lure lore – part 7
The 10 best lures for big blue marlin
Who better to judge the 10 best lures than a panel of 900lb-plus blue marlin off Kona, Hawaii?


smoke and mirrors
JB Lures ‘Chook’
Something specifically crafted to be snapped up by big marlin could hardly be called ‘chicken’.


BOAT FEATURES 

PEDIGREE CAT
Noosa Cat 3000 Sportsman
Built on a proud history of quality offshore cats designed to break through treacherous river bars, Noosa Cat’s latest offering delivers refined design that will surprise with its rough-riding abilities, economy, and comforts.


TOP SHELF
Sailfish Shelf Runner
With expertise in tough, marine rescue cats, Sailfish have now refocused for the offshore angler.


AUSSIE MADE TO RIVAL THE WORLD
Cruise Craft Outsider 595
Patriotic Aussies will be more than proud after reading Warren Steptoe’s glowing review of this local hero.

BlueWater Magazine

BlueWater Magazine on Sale Today, 6th Jan 2012

Fame Anybody ?

We are arranging an opportunity for World renown photographer Jon Schwartz to visit us and photograph GT Popping aboard Tease Me this summer. We need a couple of GT anglers willing to model !
You have probably seen many of Jon's photos gracing the covers of publications such as Marlin Magazine and BlueWater Magazine. You can see some of his work here www.bluewaterjon.com
Jon will be taking action stills of anglers fighting GTs, posing with their catch and releasing, some of which will be filmed from underwater......

We need to fit this in between the 18th and 25th February.

Matava Eco-Adventure Resort currently has a 'Special' on for February but it does not include Fishing Packages.
As this would not be a 'normal' fishing trip so we are offering to extend this Special Second Person Half Price deal for anbody who wants to GT Pop on Tease Me and be photographed all day long !
Our primary target will be GTs, the bigger the better but if we see an opportunity to pop for yellowfin, wahoo or jig for dogtooth tuna and film that as well, excllent !

This is a great opportunity to get a ridiculously cheap GT Popping trip for two on the Great Astroabe Barrier Reef, Kadavu and be presented with your own professional photos of the trip. Oh, and you might get famous as well.
Drop us an email if you are interested.....