GTPopping.com - Giant Trevally, GTPopping, Topwater & GT Fly-Fishing Resource
General => General Topwater & Jigging Discussion => Topic started by: Josh Stuckey on January 29, 2012, 04:56:11 PM
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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
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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.
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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