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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote pieboy98 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Tonga fishing trip - photo heavy
    Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 7:58pm
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Hi all,

After being roped into a fishing trip to make up numbers it finally came around. 4 of us flew up to Nuku'alofa and onto Vava'u

Staying at Hakula Lodge, We got in 2 days days on the charter boat, a days rest drinking too much Mata Maka beer. We had a morning of popper fishing with Kurt of Poppin Tonga before flying back to Akl.

Leaving base

About to get a bit rough, we didnt think this was too bad, but he was thinking it was one of his worst days out this year

1st cab of the rank

Stef's YFT

Stef's 67kg YFT on the hook

1st day's takings

Jigging Bass

Working on a Marlin

Tagged and released marlin

Working on a YFT

Luigi's 71kg YFT

Luigi's YFT on the hook, was hosing down too much for the chalkboard

Mahi mahi 12kg

Luigi's GT est 12kg+

My GT est 20kg+

Stef's GT est 35kg+

This had the Saragosa screaming, the spool was too hot to touch after the first run, It had a 2nd run half way to the boat and it destroyed the popper and bent out all the trebles, Was a truly awesome trip, we struck it lucky and all got into Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, GT's, YFT, and the odd marlin
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Telecaster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 8:05pm
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Cool report, looks like you ticked a lot of boxes for such a short time spent on the water - well done!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Stormbringer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 8:05pm
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awsome stuff looks like ya had a ball :)
Great place to fish aye Wink

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Royze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 8:07pm
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Good GT`s there mate, did the same in July, got my 1st GT with Kurt, hope they looked after you alright Wink, Geoff and Janine are awesome hosts aye? what else did you get on the jigs? 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote viking... Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 8:08pm
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Awesome bro.... really is nothing like the islands. Great read and some cool pics.... love the hua GT and Yfin!! Thumbs Up 

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote pieboy98 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 8:32pm
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Yeah definitely a short and sweet trip,
We stayed  at Hakula Lodge, everything was sorted, flights, tranfers, taxis etc,
Geoff and Janine are truly great hosts, even taped the league and rugby for us, to give him some stick over the NZ wins, The weather was overcast, squally showers and windy, but suited us as it wasn't too hot, The jigging was off an island down southwest of vava'u, the currents were quite strong and running the wrong way for great jigging. Didnt get any dogtooth tuna, but think we lost gear to one or 2 anyway.
The Sunday was a day off so a decent drinking session ensued at the Tongan international
Monday saw us out with Kurt popper fishing on the local reefs, We took our own gear but he is looking to gear up so people can just turn up, we had saragosa's w 80lb braid on t curve gt specials and those GT's just peel line like nothing else and make kingies look like sprats, 
Forearms burning with arm pump and back breaking, but unreal once you get them in the boat!
At one point the spool was too hot to touch. You can get pretty tired casting poppers and just when your going to give up that's when you'll hook up.
Can definitely recommend Hakula lodge for accom and fishing and kurt for Popper fishing, even just for one day with kurt as your so close to some of the best GT fishing!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Double Shot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 8:47pm
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Damn that's some mighty fine fish, damn to get some of them YFT down this way...Clap
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote LEVCAT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 8:48pm
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mate for only two days fishing that's an excellent effort.....   big ups for covering all the bases.

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote scottej Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 8:54pm
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Thats a sweet trip covered most species, top shelf guys!!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote kaveman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 9:00pm
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nice yft and GT's, wicked tripThumbs Up thanks for sharing
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Snag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 9:03pm
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Wicked report, not to much to say as its all in the pics!Beer
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote BeachedAsBro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 11:11pm
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Awesome bro!! Will be heading up those ways a bit for work next year so will definately have to get into a bit of that action!
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish caught will we realise we can't eat money.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Catchelot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2010 at 7:55am
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Fantastic trip and awesome pics, some beaut fish thereClap
"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Sharkstail Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2010 at 8:45am
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote fish i Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2010 at 10:02am
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Vava'u and the Ha'apais rule. Looks like you got well looked after.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Cbro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2010 at 1:01pm
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Sweet trip bro, mint fishing.  God I cant wait to get over there some time soon, Mrs has family over there been tongan an all. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Tonto2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2010 at 1:08pm
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Nice, what would it be like for non fishing partners? Looks all good to me but the Mrs?
Cheers Tonto
slowly going where everyone else has already been
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote jerry69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2010 at 1:56pm
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nice trip!! got to be stoked with that! may have to venture up there me thinks
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote YeeHaa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2010 at 2:09pm
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A dream trip. awesome photos and great catches ~! Clap

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote kingieslayer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2010 at 3:57pm
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top photos mate well done
woman love me fish fear me!
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