NEW CALEDONIA; THE PLACE TO EXPLORE…

There’s is only one word that describes a week in New Caledonia and that’s WOW! Not unknowing to what to expect after landing in Noumea, we were directly taken to our hotel before stepping foot onto the 49ft power-cat and 28ft Luhrs the following day for our week adventure. In full, 7 of us made the journey and what a week it was. Our skipper Olivier had one thing on his mind, GTs. I actually think I heard that exact word in nearly every sentence he spoke!

Day one took us on a journey to the Southern Lagoon at the bottom of the Island where the deep blue meets the coral reefs. Our accommodation base was at the newly built Kanua Eco Lodge. The staff were welcoming and better yet, the chef, well if you want sensational food I suggest you give the place a try!

For five days we tossed poppers left, right and sometimes skyward but still they connected with many great fish. At the end of each day, returning to Kanua for a shower, quiet ale and great food was a great way to relax and chat about the day’s events. Fishing the reefs was no easy task. In that I mean, connecting to a fish and trying to get him away from the reef before being done over, but that’s fishing.

Over all, GTs to 35kg, some thumping Coral Trout, Red Bass, Grouper, Barracuda, Spanish Mackerel, Green Jobfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Mack Tuna, Golden Trevally and the list continues. Although we fished far and wide of the Southern Lagoon, we didn’t even scratch the surface. We were very pleased with the results, many lost poppers and many monster fish, just what we’d hope for fishing this truly magnificent location. The highlight, a 60 odd pound Yellow Fin Tuna taken on a Black Jack Cubera 125 popper. Ilja had been wanting to catch a Yellow Fin for the past 14 years fishing locations such as Bermagui on the New South Wales South Coast and each time was let down. Not on this trip, and in his words “I did it with a popper in New Caledonia”.

Nothing seems to amaze me but I’m now so addicted to this place, I can’t wait to get back next year with Ocean Blue.

Jarrod Day.