Searching for information on Raja Ampat Papua New Guinea

[Robert Woll]

Hey all,

I am considering planning a fishing trip to Raja Ampat (West Papua-New-Guinea) and I was wondering whether anyone of you has been there and could give me some advice. Any experiences or suggestions are highly welcome.

Thanks and tight lines,

Robert

[Mark Harris]

There a few members of this forum who I know have been there recently Robert and I hope you get a response.

Just a mild correction... it is not in Papua New Guinea.  The Raja Ampat group of islands are off the northwest of West Papua province of Indonesia.

[David Lumanauw]

Some friends just came back from raja ampat and the result is not satisfying. Maybe this is just some bad timing. But you could research results from recent fising trip there. Mostly spanish mackarel caught.

[David Lumanauw]

Kaimana (south of bird head western papua) is said home of big gt's. Raja ampat is north of bird head

[Mark Harris]

That's pretty much what I have heard from multiple trips to the area.  It seems to be one of those place that is fairly pristine, has all the right attributes to hold a lot of good fish but it generally seems to disappoint.

[David Lumanauw]

Maybe this sounds  superstitious, but to have good result there, we must meet the village's chief and ask his permission to fish his waters. Bring him offerings (money and cigarettes). My friends didn't do that, I really don't know if this is somehow connected or not.

[David Lumanauw]

Maybe you could  try Kaimana instead.

I just got back from southern Sumba, the result is quite satisfactory. The simple way is to get to Kalala inn (by late Mr.David Kalala), now run by his wife, Mrs. Johanna Kalala (Mama Jo). This could become the base camp for sleep, bath, eat. Ask Mama Jo about boat, she can provide boat for fishing there, up to Salura (Halura) island. GTs everywhere,  redbass. sometimes mackarel and baracuda. Look for low ebb period, high tide is not as good.

[Mark Harris]

David - please do not hold GTs by the tail like that.  It is likely that you have killed the fish by holding it like that - broken back.

[David Lumanauw]

Some Sumba GTs

[David Lumanauw]

Thank you Mark for your advise. The GT is released alive, fortunately

[David Lumanauw]

red bass

[David Lumanauw]

The ship and captain. It is not a big ship

[David Lumanauw]

Another GT

[David Lumanauw]

View from hotel's beach

[David Lumanauw]

the bungalows