Komodo

Mark Harris · January 09, 2014, 10:20:27 PM

The Komodo National Park is an absolutely iconic GT location. I cannot think of anywhere on earth where there is such a close proximity of so very many islets, promontories and bommies, all with attendant ripping currents; GT heaven.

My previous experience there had not been a particularly good one and it was at a time when the GT community pretty much ditched Komodo as a must-visit site. The over fishing of the area, both legal and illegal, had definitely taken its toll come the mid to late 2000s. Recent reports had been more encouraging though, so much so that Adhek Amerta decided that he wanted to try running charters there again. Adhek first fished there in 2002 and guided many of the world leading GT anglers around Komodo before giving up there with great sadness when things took a downturn.

So, he and I planned a 4 day test trip together starting on January 5th 2013, staying in Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores and making the short trip out each day. When I first arrived I was a little down about the conditions, it was glassy flat with a forecast of no winds to speak of. Far from ideal GT fishing conditions and our best hope was that Komodos legendary currents would still provide some great fishing.

And so it would prove. Over the four days, I lost count of the number of GT strikes. I did keep a tally on the first day and it was 18. The 3 days which followed would have been similar to that for sure. Bear in mind this was pretty much a solo mission and for 90% of the time I was the only angler fishing. The fish were not especially "on" though with many, many flappy misses and quite a number of fish lightly hooked (probably foul hooked) coming off after a few seconds. That being said, I was extremely happy with the quality and number of GTs landed.

Have been talking a lot with friends about the number of misses and poor hook ups, and I think the consensus is that this was due to the crystal clear glassed out conditions.

Also had a couple of hugely enjoyable PE3 sessions. I will never forget one 2 hour period when I lost count of the number of bluefin trevally landed but it was more than 20 for sure. Other fish caught on the lighter gear included GTs and red bass.

I suppose the only really missing element from this trip was the landing of a true monster class GT. It was close with one reefing by an unstoppable fish as large as anything I have ever hooked, and a couple of misses which left me gasping at the size of the fish. There are certainly 50kg+ fish here.

Floating stickbaits were the go to class of lure for much of the trip and one in particular deserves a special mention as it was the star lure of the trip. It is a new lure so many members will not be aware of it: BCS Custom Baits Wave Walker, 255 mm, 170 grams. This lure is a beauty with such a sharp and precise action.

This certainly removed any lingering doubts Adhek had about resuming charters to this most iconic of locations. And it proved to me that Komodo is well and truly back in the top echelon of GT spots around the world.

Rods
Carpenter Endless Passion 82/38 (PE8)
Carpenter Monster Hunter 80H (PE8)
Carpenter The Blue Lagoon 80/40 (PE8)
Carpenter Black Current 80 MRF (PE3

Successful lures
BCS Custom Baits Wave Walker 255 (170 gr)
Adhek Viking 1 (150 gr)
Adhek Medium Penipen (140 gr)
Carpenter Gamma 140
BFP Astro Swimbait
ASWB SS 90

PE3 lures that did the business were Smith Saruna Dragon, IMA Barbarossa and Duo Rough Trail.

I have hundreds of pics to sort through but here is a selection which I hope sums up the nature of the fishing and the location.

Solid, fat and very thick GTs were the order of the trip: