ROCK EXPEDITIONS "FRONTIER REEFS"
Wild Reef Camps January 2015 Trip ReportLouisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea
Facebook Report & Photo Highlights:
http://tinyurl.com/q4xbdhvINFORMATION PACK: [email protected]The Return The long awaited return to the "Frontier Reefs" at the Louisiade Archipelago, PNG saw us joined by a small contingent of international anglers eager to see what the beautiful area and it's people have to offer. This time a deeper push east to explore the revered Sunken Barrier reef and Sea Monster reef of Sudest Island was the ultimate goal.
The group consisted of Chris from Indonesia, Jimmy from Guam and Mick from Australia. This proved to be the perfect group size for us to resume exploration and pick up where we left our last reef camp boundaries.
It was going to be touch and go if we could make it out to the camps on time; some lingering and menacing low pressure systems threatened to form in to cyclones. Luckily, one low pushed east of the Solomon Islands and the other low, east of Cape York, abated just in time. Our flights from Port Moresby to Misima went off without a hitch and we prepared for the ocean passage crossing to Mwanewa.
The "old man", custodian of Mwanewa, greeted us with the trademark PNG lipstick (Betel Nut) and a huge smile. He was pleased to have us back! He barked and all the boys came coming enthusiastically to greet us and help us offload. Ice cold South Pacific Export beers were promptly thrown the way of the excited anglers and we settled in for an amazing smoked fish meal under the stars. The remaining winds from the low pressure systems, although abating, were pushing the Palm trees around with force. The boys unpacked, switched on headlamps and proceeded to rig their artillery for sunrise fishing. The next day we would be fishing the northern Sudest barrier reefs and Redlick Islet reefs.
Day One Chris and Mick made for the Redlick Islets. The southern point has treated us very well in the past and with the right current we can see anything from giant Dogtooth, Wahoo, GT and Marlin. The action came fast and furious with the foaming water waking up a school of 50kg class Dogtooth Tuna. The fish were stirred but not quite ready to eat, turning away at the very last moment whilst shadowing lures. Nonetheless, this managed to put quite a smile on the boys. With some persistence and further drifts along the atoll, they managed to deck a healthy GT, numerous Bluefin and loads of Red Bass.
Jimmy and I decided to remain on the eastern side of the great passage and proceed in a NE direction along the northern islands and barrier. Our first drop of the jig had us instantly connected to a double hook up of Dogtooth. Both fish were brought to deck, however, Jimmy had to pay a tax to the sharks. Our next hook ups were promptly run into the reef, further down the drift on another point the fish were substantially bigger than the smaller ones we initially hooked up to. We would not see another Dog on the deck that day, however our excess baggage costs went down significantly due to lost Jigs!
Fisherman Andaman 240g in Blue Pilchard did the damage. By-catch included a perfect eating size Gold Band Snapper caught by Jimmy. Proceeding along the barrier there was no shortage of Bluefin Trevally harassing lures. The GT activity was greatly affected by the current weather and pressure situation.
Day Two With the wind abating to less than 5 knots and mercury rocketing up to 32 degrees, the plan was to fish the outgoing tide in the morning and make a move during the slack to the next reef camp. This would give the boys a break from the heat and chance to enjoy a beer? or three!
After heading back to Mabui Island, Chris's first drop of the jig in 90m of water hit a freight train at 50m the mark. No doubt this was a giant Dogtooth tuna, managing to pull 15kg plus of drag off like a thread of cotton and reaching the reef another 40m deeper. Chris was speechless. Jig of choice was the Pelagic Warrior 300g in Squid Lumo. Brought to his knees during the fight, Chris still couldn't be happier to have had such a humbling encounter.
When the jigging bite slowed we headed to the fringing reef to find GT. It wasn't long until a Napoleon Wrasse bubbled onto my lure but wouldn't commit to a meal. Very frustrating as you could feel that the fish were here in extraordinary numbers but not quite ready to bite.
Persisting with a Hammerhead I-Cup in Watermelon, a slab of GT appeared magically from behind a bommie. The barbless trebles found their mark on the tentative hit and the fight was on in a huge current. The fish wore amazing brown tinged striations and with the help of Chris and "Tetris", the beautiful fish came on board for a few quick snaps before a spirited release. Combo of choice was the Fisherman GT Game TRSH 76 paired with Shimano Stella 2013 SW spooled with Shimano Power Pro in 100lb hollow.
With the current slowing to a trickle, we headed back to camp for the slack tide and to make a move to the new reef camp. Upon return we shared a beer and stories from the morning session. Jimmy and Mick found plenty of top water Dogtooth to 20kg and GT to 25kg.
Dinghies loaded with all supplies and crew, including our freezer to keep the beers cool, we made a move in glorious oily slick conditions. The conditions were so smooth that you could do handstands on the bow whilst we charged at 25 knots!
Our landing to the new reef camp was beyond expectation. A freshly constructed open air hut complimented by fresh (cold) coconuts to drink and beautiful Sudest pineapples for snacks. This truly is living! The boys took the opportunity to head into the azure waters to cool off before rigging to explore the new grounds that have never seen a top water lure or jig.
A mere 5 minutes from the camp, lies a huge rocky escapement, rather out of place in this predominately reef and atoll environment. Nonetheless, it was prime GT water with deep access to the south, a coral flat to the east and scattered rocks and bommies to the west. The current pushed from the SE and made perfect conditions for whoever could cast first!
Chris's Crusader popper in Qantas Red quickly disappeared with a huge brown shadow appearing from behind. As quick as that, it was all over. What would have been a PB for Chris was dampened by line failure, questionable Daiwa Boat Braid at the centre of our analysis. Chris's resilience was admirable and without complaint he rigged another FG knot and continued casting with passion. Unfortunately, the tally for memorable fish that won their freedom was mounting for all of us.
Jimmy and Chris pushed further east to the next reef with Gin-clear water providing paradise for the eyes. The boys put in cast after cast over amazing bommies and coral flats growing their species count.
Day Three With a 4:30AM rise, the plan was to push 30km SE to further explore the Sunken Barrier and great Sudest hard reef. Upon first light the boys had loaded up on carbs and coffee...we were off! An impressive current line made for constant activity inside the lagoon as we passed countless tree trunks and flotsam, occasionally stopping to cast. The first Sago Palm trunk floating in the electric blue water was being patrolled by a large Blue Marlin. Not interested in eating, watching him move around the floating debris will be something I will never forget.
Flying fish would scatter as far as the eye could see and large scarlet fusiliers would quiver in fear. This is the most amazing lagoon environment I have ever seen.
Chris stopped to cast on a tree that we passed and managed to tempt out a curious triple tail! Whilst he did not bite, we got the opportunity to add to the ever growing frontier reef resident species list!
As we reached the great southern reef barrier, the boys could hardly contain their excitement. Furious current hit the shallow edge, creating enormous pressure over the shallows and pushing to the deeper edge. The predators in the deep were waiting. Acres of baitfish were being herded, helpless and afraid; conditions were looking good.
Wahoo, Sailfish, Mackerel, Red Bass, Jobfish, GT and Sharks were everywhere. Shot gunning the surface in impressive displays. I'm sad that we were not able to catch the drama on camera. If you didn't have half a dozen follows on the one retrieve, there was something wrong! We landed our fill of everything, however, the GTs simply had lock jaw. Mick managed to tempt one of the timid brutes but it was short lived after a poor lip hook up. Jimmy, continuing his epic blaze of good luck managed to deck a PB GT. A PB that he would break another 2 times! With the right current, wind and pressure - this will one day be one of the top GT fishing reefs in the South Pacific. Without hesitation, mark my words.
Needing a rest, we sped off at a rate of knots to the lagoon, finding the perfect sand cay for lunch, nap and swim. The freshly baked banana coconut bread filled the void perfectly.
The rest of the afternoon was spent fishing numerous shoals and reefs in the unsurveyed lagoon. Lots of promising points and spots that we will be sure to return to. That afternoon we would enjoy some local watermelon and SP beer as the sun took its final resting place over the western side of the barrier reef.
