New Years Eve 2014

Terry & I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year, & thanks to all our customers over the years, who have given us a lot of happy memories.

We ended the year with a charter this morning, unfortunately  it didn't turn out to be a very memorial one.

The weather wasn't the best when we left this morning, it had been gusting strongly all night so we knew it was going to be rough.

We worked out way slowly to the mount but nothing was around, we did come across birds but it was only small fish that were there & being small the hooks kept putting out of the soft mouths.

Fortunatly we did manage to hook a Mahimahi but this wasn't one of the bigger ones we  have caught recently, still at least they have dinner.

                                        
                                                    Some of the memories of 2014

 

May you all have a enjoyable New Year's Eve & all the best for 2015.

Merry Christmas

I am a little late wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, hope you all had a wonderful day.

The weather has finally come right so managed to do a couple of fishing trips

Trif caught a nice Mahimahi on the day we went out, there was still a big roll out pass the lighthouse so didn't stay long out there, we came back in & spent a hour or more swimming at split rock, Georgia had fun feeding the little fish.

Yesterday we had a afternoon fish, the roll was still there & some times fairly big ones.

The family we had on board caught 2 nice Mahimahi & on the way home had a double strike which ended up being Yellowfin Tuna, the fist one on, reeled out a long way, but as it got to the boat we could only see the head, rest was taken by a shark,
Thankfully  the other Yellowfin was whole when we got it into the boat!

We were so lucky to get the Yellowfin as I had gone through a few schools of them but they just wouldn't take anything, they were just jumping out of the water having fun.

On the way back up the harbour we came across dolphins that followed the boat for about 5 mins giving us a great sight to end the day on.

Savusavu Wahoo

We haven't had very favourable weather over the last few week to get out to fish.

A week Friday we thought we would give it a try as the guest was departing on Saturday so really wanted to get out.

We left the dock about 10am as it seemed to have calmed down a little, got to the entrance & tried to head out yonder!  that was a mistake so we came back inside.

Fortunately for us about a hour into our sweeps out from the lighthouse we had a strike, we ended up with a nice sized Wahoo, (weighed in at 18.5kg) & boy we were lucky as the hook on the rapala was only just holding into the fish.

Nothing much was around so headed in early as the fish was too big to have the lid down to keep it cold, & we didn't want it too spoil.

This week we managed to get out pass the lighthouse, nothing much was working when we got to the mount so started to look for birds.  We ended up with 3 yellowfin Tuna, but covered a lot of miles, it was still pretty rough so headed back in, at least they have dinner.

Savusavu Sunrise

What a beautiful sight it was this morning, looks like it will be another  beautiful day in Savusavu.

So far we still have that coolness in the morning so it is a great time to do those jobs in the garden before it gets too hot.

Haven't been out on the water for a few weeks, catching up with jobs & there doesn't seem to be so many people wanting to go fishing..

All the locals were so happy last Friday when the Balolo (sort of sea worm) rose & according to some it was a really big rise, some getting buckets full of the delicacy.  

Well must away & enjoy this lovely morning, have a great day.

International Yachts Visiting Savusavu

It has been a while since my last entry, time seems to have just slipped away so quickly.

This year has been one of the best for Savusavu regarding visits from International Yachts, over the months I managed to catch a few while they were at anchor at the Copra Shed Marina.

Fishing reports haven't been good over the last month or so, we have had a long liner fishing off the reef outside the Savusavu entrance, this is not good for us small time operators.

On our way back from a trip to Koro Island on Saturday we saw one of their markers out in the ocean half way between Savusavu & Koro, so they are fishing the whole area that we go to on our charters!

Since my last blog we were in a drought, we had one tank left out of three, but thankfully at the end of September we got rain so we are now back to having enough water to keep us going.  some people on Vanua Levu are still low on supplies of drinking water.

Daylight savings comes into effect early next month so it will be getting up in the dark again to get ready for charters, so had better make use of the next few weeks to catch up on sleep.

Princess with her handy work for the Diwali festival celebrations at the Copra Shed Marina.

Happy Diwali

Savusavu

It has been a while since we have been able to go out, the winds have been stronger & over a longer time this year, so have had to cancel charters.

We did managed to get out one day last week but the lady wasn't a sailor so had to turn back after a hour.

With this fine weather we have managed to put Searov on the beach to antifoul her again, this is a 2 day process as we can only do one side at a time.

We are going through a dry spell at the moment, it has been a while since we have had any decent rain fall, the grounds are getting pretty dry, I was told that some places in Labasa, (a town over the mountains from Savusavu) is so dry the grass is brown.

Will post some photos taken around Savusavu as I haven't any new ones of fish!

A Good Days Fishing

Since Josh caught the Black Marlin we have had a few fishing charters, to keep us busy.

We had a family from Melbourne, try their hand at fishing in Savusavu, that day we caught some Mahimahi & a sailfish.

The sailfish took line out after doing some good jumps showing us its sail, the family had released a few fish already & had decided to also release the sail.
It must have heard  because as Terry got ready to try & take the lure out, it shook it's head & was gone.

Another charter was with a couple on honeymoon from the US, it was the wife's  first time fishing, so hubby wanted her to catch the fish.

That day we caught some good Mahimahi (lost a few) Walu & a nice Trevally, so that was a good day out on the water.

Josh & His First Black Marlin

We have managed to get in 3 charters this week, thanks to the weather changing from strong winds on Tuesday, to calmer seas on the Wednesday.

On Wednesday we took out a family from New Zealand holidaying at Savasi Island Resort.

Once on the sea mount we could see small patches of birds but they weren't really doing much, after a while we managed to hook up & bring in a couple of yellow fin.

About 2hrs into the charter one of the big rods went off, then nothing, again a minute or two later it went again nothing.   The third time it took the 15kg line & this time it went out with a blast.

All of a sudden the boat was in utter chaos, there was a mad rush to bring in the other rods, then it was decided that Josh would be the one to sit in the game chair & fight the fish.

The Marlin did a few jumps then started to take line out, this went on for a long time Josh bringing in line when Terry backed up on it, then loosing it again as the Marlin took off.


With instructions from Dad & Grandad Josh finally got the Marlin close to the boat & Terry & Dad were able to gaff it & bring it on board, this took him one hour & a half.


This was such a great effort for Josh who is only 10yrs old, he worked it like a processional especially as it was on a 15kg line.

Well done Josh from us all. you were right it didn't get away!

When his Dad asked " Josh can you handle it?"  "yes I have been waiting for this all my life, it won't get away" remarked the 10yr old!

 

Savusavu

We had really good weather last week, & as usual no one wanted to go fishing so Terry managed to do some paint jobs on the boat.

This week we have charters booked & already the wind has started to pick up, just can't win in this business!

There is a beautiful cabin cruiser that came into the marina on Saturday from New Zealand, would need a lot of money in the bank to fuel her up!

Mahimahi Fishing

Again the weather was good at the beginning of the week then turned nasty at the week end when we had charters lined up.

A lovely young couple from my favourite city in Australia, Perth, had called early in the week to say they were on their way to Savusavu & wanted to try fishing with us.

We arranged to meet them at the boat about 10am the day after they arrived in Savusavu to see what they wanted to do?

Thankfully once they got to the boat, they decided to go out & give it a try!  As the winds were to start picking up strength from later that afternoon, we headed off straight away.

Already once outside the lighthouse the winds were getting stronger, but as the couple had experience out on the water it didn't matter to them.

We had a lovely day out, in the end we came home with 4 Mahimahi & 1 barracuda. we lost 2 at the boat, threw 1 back, & lost a few, that didn't hook up properly.

One of the Mahimahi was a big bull weighing in at about 15kg, that caused a lot of excitement on the deck before finally getting it into the boat

They will be sending me some photos once back in Perth so will post them later, I only managed to get 1 photo of the charter

Saturday we had to go to Namena Island to bring back a couple, as the wind was blowing strong all night we knew it would be a rough trip.  Needless to say the waves were over 2 meters once pass the lighthouse so we took our time heading out to the Island.

We got back safely & the couple said it was a better trip then the one going out to the Island so that was good to hear.

The fishing charter for Sunday had to be canceled, as the winds were still blowing 20knts & it isn't fun trying to fish in those conditions, maybe next week end, we will be able to get out!

Namena Island

Terry got back from a well earned break in New Zealand & the first charter was to take a couple to Namana Island Resort.

The days before the transfer we had lovely calm days, but come Sunday morning it was blowing a gale.

The plane arrived on time so the guests were down at the boat just before 9 so once the luggage was loaded we were away.

As we got closer to the lighthouse we could see the the huge waves breaking on the reef, this was not going to be a good trip.

A couple of times Terry had to slow right down as the waves were coming head on, some over 2 meters high.

On the way over we saw dolphins jumping out of the water. & a big lot of birds working.

We decided to come home at a slower speed so it wouldn't be too hard on the boat, & crew so half way across thought we would put a couple of lines out.

Not long after the lines were out we had a double strike, it took Terry a while to bring the fish in as it was so rough & he didn't want to go overboard, once in the fish box he turned to the second fish. he had it right up to the boat when the hook pulled through, never mind we had one on board.

A little while later we had another Mahimahi on but this also got off, so decided to pull the lines in as it was too rough to fight fish.

It was lovely to have fresh fish again & Mahimahi is our favourite fish.

Yachts Arrive Into Savusavu

Well it is that time of year again. cyclone season has ended & time for the Tradewinds to start. bringing Yachts into our beautiful harbour

Terry is away on a well earned break in New Zealand catching up with family & doing shopping for the boat, lures & a new light reel & rod to replace one we lost!

Last week we had a lot of rain in the town with strong winds so there wasn't  any boats going out fishing. this week has been a lot better, rain has cleared & light Trades blowing so keeping the place a lot cooler then it has been.

Haven't head if fish has been caught, will have to go to the local market & have a look in the fish freezers,

Hopefully we will be able to get out next week when Terry gets back.

Savusavu

We have had s few charters over the last couple of weeks, a trip to Koro Island & fishing ones .
Shouldn't really call it fishing as there really wasn't any fish to be found.

We had to cancel the trip to Koro on Wednesday as it was far too rough to do the trip, we did manage to go across on Thursday.

There was some big waves going across, taking us a extra half hour to get there, but a nice ride home.

Thank you Eric & Melissa for bringing us those lovely lures, only wish we could have caught you something on them. We will keep in touch & let you know what the lure catch.

The day we took Nicola & Alice out was just the same, no sigh of bird life or fish on either sea mount, thankfully we caught 3 small bonito which we released & just as we were on our way home, finally a nice Trevally, so now at least they have something for dinner.

Have a safe trip back to Italy.

Savusavu Sunrise

Well after nearly 2 months with boat hiccups, we managed to go out on a fishing charter.

As we left the Copra Shed Marina a little after 6am the sun was beginning to rise, at the entrance to Savusavu Harbour the sun had just started to appear over the hill at the back of Cousteau Resort..

The Roll on Roll Off Ferry was also just approaching the entrance, with a load of cargo & passengers from the Main Island.

It looked like it was going to be a good day on the water, as we approached the sea mount we saw 4 local commercial fishing boats, all fishing on the mount with baits dropped all over the mount.

We fished up & down & around the mount but nothing was happening, there were schools of bait fish but nothing big was coming up, tried fishing along the reef but this also wasn't producing anything.

Making our way away from the mount we did managed to pick up a couple of yellowfin but they were so small we threw them back.

Finally a nice size barracuda, this was taken back to the Resort & cooked for the guest at dinner, "it was amazing" was the remark from the guest.

All up we didn't catch fish but it was a truly beautiful day on the water & we did see pods of whales through the day.

Koro Island Trip

Finally the right parts arrived, so it took Terry a few days to assemble, then it was back into the water for Searov.

This has been a very long month waiting for parts, then waiting again for the right parts to be sent, but now things seem to be working, so back to business.

The first trip was to take Vodafone over to Koro to service their towers, the trip across was a bit bumpy, & I think not being on the sea for 6 weeks made it feel a little more rough?

Anyway the trip back home, was a lot better as always as we are traveling  in the same direction of the waves.

Unfortunately there wasn't any bird life to be seen on the way back so didn't do any fishing.

Were to have a couple of charters at the week end but the forcast was for 20-25knts so decided it wasn't any use to try & go out.

Weather is changing for the better now so maybe we will manage to get out soon.