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Extreme Jigging: Dogtooth Tuna, Yellowtail Kingfish (Hiramasa), Amberjack, Samson Fish => Reports & Expedtions => Topic started by: Adrian Watt on May 16, 2009, 11:28:35 AM

Title: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Adrian Watt on May 16, 2009, 11:28:35 AM
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.
Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Sam Conacher on May 16, 2009, 12:26:25 PM
thanks for the report and photo's.  good to know that the Jigging in Fiji is going off.  If only i had enough cash saved up i would be there in a flash.



a monster 90kg doggie :o
Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Nathan Cefai on May 16, 2009, 06:15:59 PM
thas a weird bream there,thanks for sharing!! :)
Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 16, 2009, 07:19:11 PM
but isn't that bream cute?
Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Adrian Watt on May 17, 2009, 07:37:40 AM
Keep meaning to check the books but I think its called a Hussars Bream. We get quite a few down deep.
Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Sachin Chaudhry on May 17, 2009, 09:21:24 AM
Locals call that bream "Bedford". Go figure but it is one of the tastiest fish on a plate.
Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Adrian Watt on May 17, 2009, 12:52:49 PM
OK, Done my research  :)
It is called a Kusakar's Bream.
Latin Name Paracaesio Kusakarii
In Japan its called Shima-oadai 
...and yes...it was very tastey  ;D

Here is another deep water bream. Anyone care to have a guess at this one ?
Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 17, 2009, 02:50:37 PM
it's not as cute as the other one!
Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Nathan Cefai on May 17, 2009, 03:45:27 PM
Would love to try one for a feed,thats if i can catch one first on the jig!!
Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Brandon Khoo on May 17, 2009, 03:52:04 PM
isn't that great - we're all more interested in that bream than we are in the doggies!   :D   Seen lots of big doggies but never seen that bream before

Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Adrian Watt on May 19, 2009, 08:36:39 AM
On the subject of a tasty feed, have any of you tried an Opakapaka ?
Baked whole wrapped in tinfoil with a little salt, butter & garlic.... ::)
Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Travis Heaps on May 19, 2009, 08:43:10 AM
Are they Rosy Jobfish?  Supposed to be quite tasty on the plate.
Title: Re: Kadavu Island May Jigging Report
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on May 19, 2009, 08:57:30 AM
I believe that's a Gold Band Jobfish. Indeed very tasty. The Rosy's are too Travis  ;D