Blue Marlin caught in Savusavu

We weren't able to go fishing last week,  as the Trade Winds have set in so it was  pretty rough once pass the lighthouse

Managed to put Searov up on the beach to check stern legs & change the oil in them, so that job is done.

Went out yesterday with a group of men from Australia, on our way a few birds were working but looked like small salasala so didn't waste to much time, a little further on, another bunch of birds, this time we got a small skippy.

Finally on the mount, but nothing was working, also no birds to be seen, so gradually made our way  toward the reef, to see if we could pick up something

This also was a waste of time as nothing was working there also. not even a barracuda!

Slowly worked our way to the sea mount, when all of a sudden we had our first strike, It was a Marlin, the boat suddenly came to life,  rods were brought in as the Marlin started to jump out of the water, peeling off line.

Now the work to bring it in, it had taken a far amount of line so it would take some time to wind it all back in.  After 45 mins the line just went slack, guess it just wasn't hooked!

Everyone now settling back in their seats & Terry starts to put all the lines back in the water, finally all lines are set & everyone relaxing when again the line just starts to peel out & another Marlin starts to jump at the back of the boat & peeling off line.

Richard settles into the game chair & starts to reel in line but the Marlin now just takes off, a scream from Richard, forward fast as I am running out of line!
Again the Marlin is jumping out of the water but screaming ahead reeling off line.
"I am just about out of line says Richard so Terry takes Searov ahead with more speed, finally Richard is able to get line back onto the reel so he won't be spooled.

This goes on for a while & all the anglers are given time in the chair to help bring it in.
Finally after a hour 45mins it was brought close enough to the boat to be able to be gaffed.
The last couple of mins the fish was easy to bring in, so once close to the boat we saw the reason for this.

Sharks had bitten off chunks of the meat close to the tail, & as it was brought in,

the sharks were following it to the boat. At last the Marlin is secured onto the buckboard & we head for home.

Brad With His First Black Marlin

The winds finally started to calm down on Friday so we were able to confirm a Fishing Charter with 2 couple that had been waiting to go out since arriving into Savusavu from Australia on Tuesday.

We had planned to leave the dock before 7am so had the engines warming up since 6.45, finally at 7.05 we switched off.  we guessed the taxi hadn't turned up to pick up the guests? sure enough about 7.10 they arrived & yes the taxi hadn't bothered to turn up, so it wasn't the start we wanted.

There was still a swell out pass the lighthouse so Terry decided to put the gear in the water & make our way slowly to the sea mount.

Saw a few birds working on the way & gave it a try but nothing was really working so kept heading out to the mount.

On arriving at the mount nothing seemed to be working so did the usual path to see if anything was around.  Finally saw birds working in the distance so headed towards them, but as soon as we got there, they all sat down on the water, this kept on for a while, there had to be something there but nothing was coming up.

Finally all of a sudden one of the lines on the outrigger started to peel off, then in the distance we saw a Black Marlin tail walking. now the boat came alive, lines were brought in while Brad got into the game chair.

Brad worked hard to bring in line only to have it taken out so many times we thought it would never come in.  In the end we were amazed it only took him about 50min to bring it in on 24kg line.

Nothing else was caught that day it was just fortunate we were in the right place at the right time.
Sadly the hook was well lodged in it's mouth so couldn't release it as it wouldn't have been able to feed, & eventually would have died.

The fish was estimated to be about 100kg, once photos were taken Terry had the job of cutting it up, this took close to 2hours, some of it was taken to the resort that the clients were staying at & most was given to the locals for them to enjoy for Mothers Day on Sunday.

After a month of not being out. because of weather conditions, we all had a lovely day, especially Brad as this was his first time Game Fishing & his first Marlin.

Congratulations Brad job well done.

Savusavu Weather

It's been a month since my last post, after the Marlin we have only managed to get out twice,  once only to the light houses as the lady was very seasick.

Terry has made a quick trip back to New Zealand for a break. & since he has return we haven't been able to get pass the light house as the seas have been so rough.

Anyway it has given Terry a chance to catch up with boat maintenance & odd jobs that need doing.

                     Fish caught on the last charter in early April.