Guys, I just got back from Rarotonga and Aitutaki. First thing I can say is that GT popping would be hard there and second its more of a jigging or game trolling location with the exception of the Aitutaki lagoon. The reasons are that the islands are sea mounts, Raro has a fringing reef approx 200m off shore and another 200m past that it's 1km deep or deeper. The islanders live off the fish they catch so there isn't much life on what reef there is apart from small inedible reef fish. Most of the fish they get (in raro) are pelagic varieties like tuna, dorado, wahoo and billfish. The local government have installed several FAD's in an effort to attract and retain fish for longer. One FAD is anchored in 1500m!!
Pic is of the edge of Rarotonga.
Aitutaki is similar but has a massive lagoon, once again not far past the edge of the lagoon the depth drops fast
The GT's are there, I snorkeled with one of about 20-30kg (so hard to judge underwater) and the locals spear them for food and said the black ones are the biggest and they say upwards of 50kg.
The big thing I noticed was the lack of current, the only places were the shallow channels that the lagoon drains and fills from. So targeting GT's with poppers might be difficult. Speaking to the local Scuba guy and he says the same, the only significant water movement is from waves.
I have some areal photo's of the reef edge and some channels that I will post later after I get them off my camera.
Some of the drain channels,
If you were looking to fish either location I would take the following,
A jigging set up, unsure of size? They were catching yellowfin tuna to 30kg at the time and they also get a variation of amberjacks, i think almacore jack?? Also dogtooth tuna are around Aitutaki.
A trolling set up, if that's what your into and that's what most charter boats do. They have all the gear as well.
A light popping set up, for casting to tuna schools and FAD's and bommies in the Aitutaki lagoon.
A #9 fly rod for big bonefish at Aitutaki. You could also go a #12 for Mahi Mahi as well.
I only went after the Bones of which I saw maybe 12 and got a cast to 9 and maybe 4 follows but no takes
Still pretty stoked to be chasing them being my first time on a fly rod!
If you are going to chase the bones contact Butch Leone. PM me for his contact details if you need.
