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Topic: Moorea and Bora Bora  (Read 2446 times)

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JamesM

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My wife and I had our belated honeymoon trip in early August. We visited Moorea and Bora Bora in French Polynesia. It was an incredible trip overall. We stayed in over the water bungalows at Hilton Moorea and Conrad Bora Bora. Although Hotel has no fishing rule, the staff told me fish in the morning or evening when there is no one watching. I followed the advice and had a lot of fun. The only thing I regret so much is didn't bring enough fishing gears. The reef fish are so much meaner than fish we typically see here. I lost 1 of the only 2 SP Minnows to a (possible) trevally on first cast :smt010 :smt010. The next 7 days I was surviving on a sabiki rig bought at a local grocery store for $15! I sneaked out enough breakfast bread and deli meat each morning which helped me scored both quality and quantity new species.  :smt005

On our last day of the trip, we hopped on a local fisherman's boat for some big game. The condition was decent, but we couldn't see any sign of bird feeding. After nearly 5 hours clueless trolling I almost gave up on the idea of catching anything. A little pass noon, one of the reel suddenly started screaming. While I was trying to wake up from day dreaming, the fish came off. Captain said Marlin! Marlin! :smt107 HOLY SHIT! Did that really just happen? My body started shaking. I looked at my wife, she is in the same mode as I am. Everything happened just too quick and we were still trying to process it.  He quickly adjusted the throttle back and we were back trolling again. Shortly after the first bite, the fish came back for second time. I turned my head and screamed! YEAH! But this time it didn't last long either. :smt010 In my mind I was thinking we are done. I was persuading myself to appreciate that 15 seconds excitement and not ask for more, but at the same time I started thinking what is the chance the fish coming back for the third time?? 20%? 40%? While I was talking to myself, the beast sure enough came back for the 3rd time! And this time he put it in full throttle. WE GOT HIM!  :smt117 :smt043 Words couldn't describe my feelings at that moment. I got up to the bow started reeling. The fish went airborne multiple times before going deep. About 40 minutes or so we saw color. A beautiful blue marlin. He speared the fish cleanly just like seen on TV. We brought him on board. What a majestic fish! For the next hours and days I was amazed about this excursion. What an incredible experience overall and a great way to conclude our trip! It was my first big game and I am so glad my wife was with me.
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polepole

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Nice.  The sweetlip your wife is holding are tasty!!!

-Allen


crazyfisher

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wow that's awesome. congrats!!


bmb

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Congrats on the trip and the marriage.  I doubt my wife will allow me to bring a rod on any potential trips to tahiti!


bigtuna

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JamesM

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Nice.  The sweetlip your wife is holding are tasty!!!

-Allen

Thanks, Allen

Most of the fish we caught I couldn't ID, including this sweetlip. I figure someone on this forum would be able to tell the name by posting it. All fish returned unharmed except for the marlin.
2020 Hobie Outback (sold)
2018 Hobie Oasis (sold)
2017 Hobie Outback
2016 Hobie AI
2016 Hobie Outfitter (sold)
2014 Hobie AI (sold)


JamesM

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2020 Hobie Outback (sold)
2018 Hobie Oasis (sold)
2017 Hobie Outback
2016 Hobie AI
2016 Hobie Outfitter (sold)
2014 Hobie AI (sold)


JamesM

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Congrats on the trip and the marriage.  I doubt my wife will allow me to bring a rod on any potential trips to tahiti!

Tell her rod and reel is required by hotel check-in  :smt003
2020 Hobie Outback (sold)
2018 Hobie Oasis (sold)
2017 Hobie Outback
2016 Hobie AI
2016 Hobie Outfitter (sold)
2014 Hobie AI (sold)


polepole

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Nice.  The sweetlip your wife is holding are tasty!!!

-Allen

Thanks, Allen

Most of the fish we caught I couldn't ID, including this sweetlip. I figure someone on this forum would be able to tell the name by posting it. All fish returned unharmed except for the marlin.

Top one looks like some sort of wrasse.  Silver one looks like a mullet.

-Allen


JamesM

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Nice.  The sweetlip your wife is holding are tasty!!!

-Allen

Thanks, Allen

Most of the fish we caught I couldn't ID, including this sweetlip. I figure someone on this forum would be able to tell the name by posting it. All fish returned unharmed except for the marlin.

Top one looks like some sort of wrasse.  Silver one looks like a mullet.

-Allen

Oh yay! Here is round 2 - The last one is really hard!
2020 Hobie Outback (sold)
2018 Hobie Oasis (sold)
2017 Hobie Outback
2016 Hobie AI
2016 Hobie Outfitter (sold)
2014 Hobie AI (sold)


SmokeOnTheWater

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Man, you are in paradise!  :smt007 :smt007 :smt007

Congrats on the catch of a lifetime.
If you ain't first, you're last.


&

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Didn't honeymoon there, but sailed the archipelago years ago.  Caught all of those fun reef guys, and also a bunch of spadefish or angels (couldn't tell which) and tuna.  Io Rana.


dangalang

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Nice job, James!! Looks like you had a good trip! You should go on more honeymoons :smt044


polepole

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Nice.  The sweetlip your wife is holding are tasty!!!

-Allen

Thanks, Allen

Most of the fish we caught I couldn't ID, including this sweetlip. I figure someone on this forum would be able to tell the name by posting it. All fish returned unharmed except for the marlin.

Top one looks like some sort of wrasse.  Silver one looks like a mullet.

-Allen

Oh yay! Here is round 2 - The last one is really hard!

I see more wrasses, and the silver one is a ballyhoo (great bait!).

-Allen


JamesM

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Man, you are in paradise!  :smt007 :smt007 :smt007

Congrats on the catch of a lifetime.

Thank you!
2020 Hobie Outback (sold)
2018 Hobie Oasis (sold)
2017 Hobie Outback
2016 Hobie AI
2016 Hobie Outfitter (sold)
2014 Hobie AI (sold)