The Fiji Autumn has seen some excellent deepwater jigging conditions which have lead anglers to some superb fish along the Great Astrolabe barrier reef.
Although we have mostly concentrated on the popper casting, we have also recently been doing quite a bit of exploring with the jigging gear using 50lb and 80lb class tackle.
The outer reef slopes around Kadavu have offered up some spectacular dogtooth tuna. Average size has been around 75lbs but the trophy fish of the month goes to angler Bill Busch from the USA and his monster 90Kg doggie. A new Fiji All-Tackle Record.
We have also been picking up quite a few amberjack, grouper, yellowfin, small tooth jobfish, red bass, various different types of emperor, opakapaka and deepwater bream. You never know whats going to climb on next.
We expect the weather conditions to turn more breezy as winter moves in and there won't be so many of those glassy calm days in the coming few months. Whilst Bite Me will tend to do more light tackle fishing on the wahoo and pcific sailfish over our winter, we will still be throwing a few poppers and continuing to look at new unfished jigging grounds. We have rather a lot of exploring to do. Most of the Northern side of the island is calm in winter and as yet unexplored with jigs.
With the 90kg doggie as our new benchmark and already larger fish lost, we have our sights firmly set on the IGFA All-Tackle World Record.
Please note, it is our policy to release all GTs, and World Records aside, if possible, all dogtooth tuna.
