New Caledonia - LPB August 2011

[Eric Tai]

New Caledonia: Round 2Some of our photos:


Le Poisson Banane's Antares at the Koumac marina.



An assortment of Carpenter's & Ripplefisher's were the weapons of choice





One of my first GTs for the trip, only a little fella.









One of Rob's GTs





Boy, the coral trout in New Caledonia sure are big and angry!





One of Ricky's GTs. Gotta hand it to this guy, despite a shoulder injury that's been annoying him for the last 9 months, he fishes like he's possessed!



Kasey loaded up.



















David our skipper & guide. Always professional, even after spending an hour and a half fixing the broken onboard toilet! Kasey, Rocky and Rob were quick to point the finger in my direction.... thanks ALOT guys 



David accepts a fishing challenge from Kasey at the back of the boat.









This unfortunate grouper decided to grab my Fullscale popper after a GT had spat it out.








GT inhales a Yambal GT harrier stickbait

























Can't wait for next time! 

[Raymond Yong]

Nice as always  congrats to all involved 

[Brandon Khoo]

who's the photographer!? Some great photos there, Eric

[Kasey Leong]

Brandon,

Thanks - I think I took a couple of those shots but it was more to do with the quality and lenses of the camera, which were Rob's.

Kasey

[Sam Owen]

Kasey,

Great photos guys and glad to see you finally made it there Kasey. You would have been tired getting back to Sydney for your flight to NC in the morning!! 

To bad on losing the garua one aswell but there's always next time 

[Peter Morris]

Great report guys.

I bet you were relieved to get there kasey.

I suppose the new rod didnt get a run over there with what lures you cast in NC..?

Pete

[Chris Young]

Man, that grouper has a mouthfull of teeth eh , how'd the lure look after it was in there??

[Eric Tai]

Chris, from memory your Kong 180 (pink/purple fusilier colour) was in still in pretty good shape. Unfortunately I lost it when the leader popped at the boat side on another fish, most likely secondary to some wear on the leader I hadn't noticed.

[Kasey Leong]

Great report guys.

I bet you were relieved to get there kasey.

I suppose the new rod didnt get a run over there with what lures you cast in NC..?

Pete

Oh, I still managed to squeeze in some casts for some bloody turrum.

[Evan Gluck]

Brings back great memories, especially seeing our good friend Stan!   

[Ricky Lim]

who's the photographer!? Some great photos there, Eric

Thanks Brandon, some nice artistic shots hey! I am only a small fellow, pack me in your suitcase for your next GT trip I might come in handy behind the camera. 
Kasey!! Don't steal the thunder man, share the glory brother.   (should had left you behind )
thanks for the camera Rob awesome lens and I am definitely going to put one on mine.
Can't believe Eric kept the best shot to himself, should had share the pic with everyone else. Just remember the golden rule for next time Eric, " What happens onboard  Stays onboard"
Had a great time, the photos turn out great.
Thanks kasey for all the trouble and organizing the trip, great work bro.
Rob and sea shit,geeeee we got some stories to tell.
Eric the oooh oooh oooh man.
Fishing was on the slow side, still some nice fish!! but man we did we make the most of it 

Peace out gentleman
Ricky L

[Robert Tapert]

Kasey, Eric, Ricky!!!!

The trip  was a blast. I  have been in a work induced haze and only today  got a chance to  see the posting!! Eric you failed to  mentioned or I  didn't see it that  your wife let  you going fishing the week before you were due to  have a new addition to  the family!! That  is marrying into  the right situation. i  know it will be awhile before you and ricky  get out fishing being new dads but they  will be there and waiting for your return. 

For me the trip  was more than fishing. New Caledonia is FRENCH at every level. Somehow that  escaped me and my  fisherman's spanglish ( Spanish and English) used throughout mexico and Central  America didn't work. I  needed to  know french. My  arteries needed to be prepared for the cheese at every  meal  routine but my  mouth  didn't mind one bit. the food as different as it was for me on a fishing trip  was fantastic. There were no fish tacos!!!

Of course the trip  would not have been the trip  without David and Stan.  They  are the fishing machines.. Last to  bed first  up and always going the little bit extra. I  know David was stressing about the fishing but the pace was just  right for this introduction to  GT fishing.  Brandon and Kasey-- you were right --- very  few lures were really  needed..

Kasey   thanks for the great trip

all the best to  all

[Nathan Cefai]

Good work Team,some thumper fish in there that's fro sure...What was the biggest GT ?

[Ricky Lim]

Big!

[Ricky Lim]

35 and still growing
 
Fishing was slow. But David and Stan eventually got us to good fish. Fish was everywhere, hookups left right and center, but we keep dropping the fish.
Kasey had one hook up Big! GT rip his line of as if there's no drag. Scream off and spat his stick bait.
Later I had one Big hook up too, CRAZY fight! 15 feet to go and it decided to spat the lure. 
Was I upset? Yes! Did it hurt? Yes! Did I spat the dummy? Yes!

Was it big? Huuuuuuuuuuuuuge