NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing Zone => Hookups and Fishing Reports (Viewable by Public) => Topic started by: JamesM on August 29, 2017, 02:13:07 PM
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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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Nice. The sweetlip your wife is holding are tasty!!!
-Allen
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wow that's awesome. congrats!!
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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!
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nice!!!!
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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.
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wow that's awesome. congrats!!
Thank you!
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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
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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
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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!
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Man, you are in paradise! :smt007 :smt007 :smt007
Congrats on the catch of a lifetime.
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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.
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Nice job, James!! Looks like you had a good trip! You should go on more honeymoons :smt044
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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
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Man, you are in paradise! :smt007 :smt007 :smt007
Congrats on the catch of a lifetime.
Thank you!
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Did you get to eat any of the marlin?
Looks like an incredible trip. Memories that will last a life time.
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Nice job, James!! Looks like you had a good trip! You should go on more honeymoons :smt044
Thanks Tim! When are we going to fish together again? :smt003
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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
WOW! That is the only fish we scarified as bait! She hooked the ballyhoo not even knowing how, then the sweetlip chew on it.
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Did you get to eat any of the marlin?
Looks like an incredible trip. Memories that will last a life time.
Thanks! We didn't have time to eat it. We were flying back on that same night. I tried a piece of marlin liver and belly meat raw. The liver was interesting, very fishy. The meat was dipped in saltwater so I can't really taste the flavor. But the texture is great for sushi. The captain sold the fish before we even dock. But yes, the experience was just incredible.
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Thanks for the write-up. I would have to bring my fishing pole the next time I go there. Moorea, was one of the best drift dive I've I have ever done. With the currenr pushing we were hopping from one Rock to another filled with coral. While holding a banana with a bunch of fishes chasing and eating of the banana. I felt like I was part Peter Pan flying through the air, Spider-Man hopping off the rocks while holding a torch of fishes. Surreal experience.
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Thanks for the write-up. I would have to bring my fishing pole the next time I go there. Moorea, was one of the best drift dive I've I have ever done. With the currenr pushing we were hopping from one Rock to another filled with coral. While holding a banana with a bunch of fishes chasing and eating of the banana. I felt like I was part Peter Pan flying through the air, Spider-Man hopping off the rocks while holding a torch of fishes. Surreal experience.
Thanks! Yeah, bring a fishing rod and good amount of lures. It is going to be epic.
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Wow what a place. Thanks for sharing, and congrats!
Just want to float in the water there.
Thank you!
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That's awesome!! I went to maldives for my honeymoon and I regret not bringing any fishing gear with me. Tons of fish behind my bungalow, Gotta invest in a travel rod.
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That's awesome!! I went to maldives for my honeymoon and I regret not bringing any fishing gear with me. Tons of fish behind my bungalow, Gotta invest in a travel rod.
Awesome! I want to go there one day. Yes, travel rod is a great idea.