Gili islands, what gear to take?

[Josh Stuckey]

Guys, the other half has decided to book a short notice holiday to Gili islands (meno) Bali, leaving next week. She's booking flights tomorrow and I need to know if it's worth paying for checked luggage and taking a selection of rods.

The main intent was to keep the costs to a minimum and looking at land based fishing, with a boat trip if it can be done cheap enough.

What are my chances of connecting with a land based gt, and what size? What other fish am I likely to encounter? I have a good selection of poppers and stickbaits, rods and reels just want to know what's a good guide on gear to take.

 I don't have time to fully research this as she who must be obeyed has a bee in her bonnet and wants it all booked tomorrow.

Thanks
Josh

[Mark Harris]

Hi Josh

Not wishing to be the party pooper, but do not expect too much.

A few years ago the Gilis were absolutely hammered mostly by reef bombing. Since then the local dive industry has managed to establish a few artificial reefs and also get some of better dive site designated as no fishing areas. That has improved the marine life a lot but it is far from being an ace fishing destination.

On GTs I doubt there were ever many as it is the wrong sort of habitat - little sandy islets with moderate currents.

There is GT heaven on Lombok but it's way down in the south, a long way from The Gili Islands.

I thing your best bet is to take a PE2/3 casting set up and target things like Bigeye Trevally and Bluefin Trevally inshore, and Mackerel Tuna with the odd Bonito and Mahimahi offshore.  Soft plastics might be worth a go as nobody in this part of the world uses them so the fish ought to be responsive.

By the way, The Gili Islands have nothing to do with Bali - they are off the northwest coast of the island of Lombok, in a different province to Bali.

[Josh Stuckey]

Mark, Thanks for the PM and reply here, appreciate the assistance. Ah well, guess I'll have to make do with what's available.

Josh