Help with lures selection for Christmas Island Kiribati

[Dave Sinnott]

I am heading to Christmas Island Kiribati in November mostly for fly fishing but want to take along a few poppers and stick baits.  I am borrowing a stella reel and his 7'6" GT rod rated he says to pe 6-8.

I have no idea of what color or size of poppers and stick baits to order in from the US as I am in Canada.  Any other types of lures ?

For those who have been to Christmas Island, any help on what I need would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

[Dan Konig]

Hi Dave

We found poppers had more success than sticks. A lot of the popping grounds are pretty deep water.

I was using around the 150gr mark. Mostly craft bait GT3s, but the lure that caught the most fish of the trip for me was the humble cubera 150 in purple/gold. Accounted for at least a dozen GTs (most of them on the same day) and a big YFT and still going strong, albeit looking a bit worse for wear.

Dan

[Dave Sinnott]

Thanks Dan

[Duncan O'Connell]

Dans advice is pretty spot on, but I would add that if you are popping inside the lagoon, then the stickbaits do come in handy. Offshore, the stickbaits often get dive bombed by ravenous birds so much that it can spook the fish underneath.
My favourite colours have all been towards the natural end of the spectrum, or dark colours rather than bright fluoros. A lot of the bait seems to be pretty plain in colour when compared to other tropical islands.

Cheers

Duncan

[Dave Sinnott]

Thanks Duncan.

I'll place my order and start counting the days.
Was thinking of the mackerel and tuna colors maybe a gold one along with a purple and black.

[Duncan O'Connell]

Yes those colours sound pretty good. The predominant baitfish inside the lagoon are juvenile bonefish and milkfish - both pretty plain. Offshore it is milkies again along with flying fish, needlefish, saury type baitfish, and probably small yellowfin if they stray too close to the reef.

Regards

Duncan